Garfinckel’s

Julius Garfinckel and Company was established in Washington, DC in 1905. In the early 1930s the store was located at the corner of 14th Street and F Street, across from the US Treasury Building. Garfinckel’s was not a true department store, as they specialized in clothing and accessories and did not carry household goods. They had the reputation of being the most fashionable store in Washington. On their famous Third Floor, one could buy copies of the latest fashions from Paris, or the best that American designers had to offer.

In 1946, Garfinckel’s bought Brooks Brothers and, four years later, De Pinna, a New York City clothing store. During the 1960s and 1970s, Garfinckel’s grew and eventually there were ten stores. In the late 1980s the store was struggling to compete in the retail market. In 1988, Brooks Brothers was sold. Garfinckel’s filed for Chapter 11 protection in 1990; the ten stores were closed and the inventory liquidated.

Written by fuzzylizzie

from a 1920s dress

Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com

from a 1950s Norell dress

Courtesy of antiquedress.com

from a 1970s coat

Courtesy of doubleseahorse

from a 1970s jacket

Courtesy of alonesolo