I lost 118 pounds and Nothing Fits. Can Brooks Brothers help?

Tuesday. May 20, 2025

Dear Brooks Brothers, My name is Haim Cohen, and in just over a year, I lost 118 pounds, no medication, just sheer determination and a lot of sweat. And now, here I am, a slimmer, healthier version of myself with a closet full of Brooks Brothers suits collected over 20 years that could double as a circus tent.

When I started teaching in public school, my father-in-law took me to Brooks Brothers to buy my first suit. It was a rite of passage, my first “I’ve arrived” moment as a professional. Over the years, I built a wardrobe almost exclusively of Brooks Brothers shirts, ties, and suits.

But as the pounds piled on, so did the sizes. By April 2024, I was tipping the scales at 318 pounds and knew I needed a change. By my 40th birthday in December 2024, I was down 100 pounds. And now, in May 2025, I’ve crossed the finish line, finally getting under 200 pounds. My suit size dropped from a 48L to a 42L, and my pants from a 42 (who am I kidding, more like a 44 or 46) to a 38, and sometimes a 36. My shirts went from a 17.5 to a 16 slim.

Along the way, I had one suit tailored. The tailor tried her best, but as you know, there’s only so much you can take in before you’re basically swimming in the remnants. My once-beloved suits are now a shadow of their former selves, hanging off me like a kid playing dress-up in his dad’s closet.

I did buy a new Brooks Brothers sport coat in December, which now also needs to be taken in. But I can’t exactly show up to work every day in the same outfit, no matter how versatile it is.

So, I’m reaching out to see if Brooks Brothers would consider being part of my weight loss journey by helping me rebuild my wardrobe. I’m located in New Jersey and would be more than happy to meet at your headquarters to discuss further. A couple of suits, some shirts, and a pair of pants that don’t need to be cinched with a rope. In return, I’d love to donate all my old Brooks Brothers clothes to someone in need of formal attire, a symbolic gesture of commitment to a new, healthier life.

Below are some photos of me wearing my old clothes. Spoiler alert: They’re huge.

Thank you for your time and consideration. And thank you for making me feel like a million bucks, no matter my size.

Sincerely,

Haim Cohen