Brooks Brothers Number Two(s), 1932-1964

(click to enlarge)

Three new styles of ready-made suits have been added to our stock for this Spring. The familiar Brooks Brothers' models are continued unchanged and are supplemented by these three new styles, which are both single and double breasted - some with plaited trousers - the coats more closely fitted and with squarer shoulders.

Source:

The New Yorker - 2/27/32

(click to enlarge)

Furthermore, there are five different models which include our new close fitting, square shouldered coats in addition to our older models with natural shoulders. All models have soft rolled lapels.

Source:

The New Yorker - 4/23/32

The ready-made dealers, in fact, have taken several leaves from their custom brothers' books this year, both in unusually smart cloths and styles. The latter are generally giving more breadth to the shoulders and slightly less to the waist, and the best of these suits are so expertly cut and made that they achieve the desired effect without any shoulder padding. In any event, it's a style that has far more individuality than the usual ready-to-wear garment.

A somewhat surprising thing in connection with this trend is the way Brooks have taken the style up. Of course, Brooks still have their tables piled with the good old soft-roll, high-lapel sack coats that have been the accepted college and bond-salesman uniform for so long, but up on another floor, where the more conservative Brooks customer will never find it, is a whole new assortment of clothing hung on hangers in showcases, with two-button coats, peaked lapels, and pleated-waistband trousers! The models are single and double-breasted and show a nice refinement in design. This is especially true of the peaked lapels; they have a rather square cut that does not distract from their smartness, and also does not put your eye out any time you bend your head. From $50 up.


 Source:

The New Yorker - 4/16/32

(click to enlarge)

 
Brooks Brothers' ready-made suits for Spring include double and single breasted models in two different styles... one with natural, the other with squarer shoulders.


Source:

The New Yorker - 3/9/35

(click to enlarge)

 The Brooks Brothers staff unanimously deplores the later Number Two line, with fitted waist and square, padded shoulders. It was introduced as a concession to the Depression, and is now, they hope, on the way out.

Source:

The New Yorker - 5/7/38

(click to enlarge)

There never was a No. 2. For a few unhappy years, there was a No 222. It had a two-button jacket and pleated pants. Eventually, the pleats were banished, leaving a two-button suit called, inexplicably, No. 3.

Source:

"The suits on the Brooks Brothers Men" - New York Times - 8/15/76

(click to enlarge)

Source:

The New Yorker - 3/21/64

1966, "Our Newly Redesigned No. 2 Suit"

[Note: Their 1961 two button suit is also sometimes known as the "Number 2".  According to Esquire, the Fitzgerald model is a modified version of this suit. -katon]