A bit further on are the 'Worn in Oxfords' washed out and with pre frayed cuffs and collars - ghastly.  What are Brooks thinking of?

Not that any serious business has ever not thought about money, nor would I expect otherwise.  But crass commercialism is often not as financially profitable as people presume it will be; it's not that easy.

Just fli - um - clicked the catalogue. If the "Clifford" shirt had a proper collar, I would be tempted. I tend to see the positive - the Bros still make oxford shirts with collar widths and sleeve lengths to chose - and that in various fits. If you don't go MTM, I don't know any other company which still does that for that money. I did not witness the golden days and must see what I get now.

This is a good opportunity to say that I secretly left the non-iron path and bought a few must-iron OCBDs from BB. All those who advocated them on here were right. They are better. I sit down at your feet and will listen more.

Still don't iron, though.

The "shirt inspired by the archives" has some good points - no complaints about the JS/Gant/Press style flap pocket or back collar button but the 'clifford' collar and untucked look is a clear indication they've been inspired much more by J-Crew's successful rebranding as a quasi-Ivy, more aspirational Gap than really looking back at their heritage.

pre-frayed collars and cuffs on the other hand are simply the work of beelzebub.

Zach is basically right. Brooks Oxford shirts and some other weaves (except the non-iron, IMO) are fine...

I don't think they're copying from anything but their own historical designs.

We all would want them to get back to the unlined collars and the six button figuration, but that's a little bit picky, isn't it?

The pre-distressed option is bad taste, of course...

THE Cat was joking, Zach.

These new - and they are NEW - shirts by Brooks are interesting.... From a marketing point of view.

For me, the classic Brooks OCBD  is all about what it doesn't have. Others presentented the shirt with all the bells and whistles piled on. For Brooks the shirt originated as an undergarment. Which is what a shirt first was.

I want my Brooks with integrity. Old School.

The more Brooks add  the more they take away from their original and much loved product.

Only an opinion.

Hard Bop Hank wrote:

We all would want them to get back to the unlined collars and the six button figuration

Exactly, the former being of even more importance than the latter.  (The number of buttons is, of course, irrelevant when worn with a tie.)

Hard Bop Hank wrote:

but that's a little bit picky, isn't it?

I disagree.  They managed to provide unlined collars for around 8 decades (someone else may know the exact number), and during that time Brooks shirts became world famous for being superb.  Now they're just trading on former glories/their name.  Maybe the bland crap they produce now makes them money - I've no idea - but it will certainly never be venerated. 

I appreciate that Brooks always moved with the times; for instance, as we all know, a Makers jacket from after the 60s features wider lapels and a lower button stance.  But the shirts remained constant to a great extent, particularly from the 50s to the late 80s.