Country Club Brooks Brothers 2008

Brooks Brothers represents a style but also a way of life. The oldest still-existing men's outfitter in the USA, with roots dating back to 1818, can count many well-known names from the film industry as well as several US presidents among its clientele.

Brooks Brothers has evolved from a pure men's outfitter and has been offering women's and children's clothing for decades. The style of the house can be described as conservative, which is already conveyed by the very dignified wooden decor of the stores.

As well-known as the house is in the States, it is equally unknown in Europe. In Germany, there is just one shop, and the supply situation for the class-conscious well-to-do is not much better in other European countries. The expansion strategy never really took off.

It is all the more remarkable that a salesperson from the house managed to make a name for himself internationally in a relatively short time. Today, the name of the former employee as well as his label stands for the same style as Brooks Brothers, only with a slightly sportier and younger twist. In 1969, the Brooks Brothers employee bought a brand under which the house sold button-down shirts. The salesperson turned "Polo" and his own name "Ralph Lauren" into a significantly more internationally recognized brand than Brooks Brothers ever was.

Unfortunately, I can say much more about Brooks Brothers than about the fragrance.

The name Country Club represents the exclusive leisure facilities of wealthier US citizens, where they engage in sports as well as social life. To avoid having to resort to the slightly dusty terms of the headline, one could speak of smart casual as the preferred clothing style.

The fragrance is also oriented toward this. It is a designer scent that could be marketed under many brands. Since the scent has a very youthful vibe, it might be easier to sell it under a brand like Polo than under the very established Brooks Brothers label. But perhaps they want to rejuvenate the brand a bit.

It smells fresh without being intrusive, although I could understand anyone who finds the excess sweetness a bit bothersome. The musk base ensures that the scent lasts for a few hours. If you like the fragrance upon first spray, you can go for it, as there is no worry that a fragrance development would later nullify the initial impression.