Piping Resurrected

Blazers, so named because the ones worn at regattas often "blazed" in color, were first seen in university colors. According to Esquire's Encyclopedia of 20th Century Men's Fashions, navy blazers piped in white were popular at the Henley regatta in 1924. I don't recall seeing piping outside of that context.

That is, until this past week when Brooks Brothers introduced its Black Fleece line designed by the notorious Thom Browne.

I'm encouraged by the Brethren's initiative with the new collection. The designs have precedence, unlike Browne's runway collection this season, and the items are well made. Purchased in the correct size and tailored appropriately, most of the pieces will look classic rather than extreme.

I wish BroBroClo, the name I was instructed to use on the many checks I wrote them over the decades, still had the taste within its organization to update the classics on its own. The prices would be better - but I suppose the company also needs the visibility and image enhancement (did I just write that about Thom Browne?) it gets from the association.

On balance, I give the effort a solid 'B.' I'm not sure whose colors were borrowed for the piped blazer in the collection, but I doubt if wearing some university rowing club's colors inappropriately is any more of a sin than wearing a Brooks Brothers version of the Brigade of Guards necktie on the streets of Manhattan.