The Timeless Story of Men’s Suits
When it comes to statement pieces in men’s fashion, a few things have areputation that matches that of men’s suits. Suits for men can be manythings, classic, subtle, eye catching. That is exactly why men from allwalks of life, from the head of state to a young business executive,from athletes to artists, have been donning suits for hundreds of years.In the recent past, we have seen men’s suits become more adventurous,gender neutral, and even casual. Despite its various modern avatars, theclassic men’s suit holds a special place in men’s formal fashion.
At Zodiac, we have a collection of men’s suits that meets the evolvingstyle needs of the modern man. From 100% woollen suits to men’s suits inpure linen to suits in blended fabrics, we have you covered for allseasons and occasions.
Looking back at the history of men’s suits
Men’s suits have been around for centuries. From the 1600s to 2022,suits have journeyed through time and adapted to the evolving lifestyleof their wearers. Many experts believe that the origin of suits datesback to the 1660s. The King of England, Charles II, was a man known forhis impeccable and often experimental taste in clothes introduced thevest or waistcoat into men’s everyday wardrobes. This vest wastight fitting, knee length, and made from wool. This particular style ofvest is especially important in the history of men’s suits as it wouldgo on to lay the foundation for the present day waistcoat.
While the King of England played a significant role in popularizingmen’s formal suits, he was not alone. The history of modern suits formen is incomplete without the mention of Beau Brummell. The Englishsocialite was responsible for starting many fashion trends in his time.Even as a prominent figure in Regency England, Brummel was never one tofollow others in fashion. At a time when men’s fashion comprisedover the top powdered wigs, elaborate shirts with ruffles, thick andembroidered fabrics like velvet, embellished jackets, stockings forboots, Brummel decided to renounce the flamboyance and choosesimplicity. He wore muted colours, long tailored pants, and teamed themup with simple yet elegant long tailed jackets with little to noembellishments. He ditched the stockings and added an elaborate whitewaistcoat to complete his look. Given his standing in society as aconnoisseur of fashion, men around him were more than eager to followsuit. Brummel, to date, is remembered by fashion enthusiasts andhistorians as the one who paved the way for the modern man’s suit.
In the 1920s, slim fit suits for men became vastly popular. However,this trend changed by the end of the decade as wide legged trousers andjackets with wider shoulders made an appearance and were quickly adoptedby men.
The ‘roaring 20s’ was also the time when vibrant colours and interestingpatterns made their way into men’s wardrobes. During this period, menwearing suits would also don the double breasted waistcoats.
Following the Second World War, men’s suits were somewhat standardized.Suits for men were cut as straight as possible and by the 1960s, suitlapels had become narrower than ever. This structural change in thedesign of suits slowly pushed the double breasted suits away from thelimelight.
During the 1970s and into the 80s, the three piece style of suit becamepopular. This period marked the return of the snug fitting suit coat,also encouraging the comeback of the waistcoat. This new three piecesuit style was made popular by the Hollywood film, Saturday Night Fever,and quickly became associated with disco culture. Later in the 1980s,men’s suits grew to become more relaxed. The jackets were loose fitting,allowing for more movement and the waistcoat was completely disposed of.These suits have the closest resemblance to the men’s suits we are mostfamiliar with today.
In the 1960s, the Nehru Jacket, which was a variation of the Jodhpuribandhgala with a mandarin collar rose to fame in India as well as thewestern world.
Men’s suits have been evolving with time since their first appearance.Change is the only constant and the suits are always up to the task. Bynow, we all would agree that suits are timeless.
How to pick the right suits for men?
Picking the right suits depends on a range of factors. Firstly, know whyyou want to buy a suit. Also, before making the decision, you need toconsider how often you are going to wear it. Are you looking for officesuits, something you can wear to work every day, or are you looking forformal suits for a special event, or something more relaxed, like casualsuits in linen?
For everyday work looks, opt for classic solid colours, a comfortablefit. For special occasions like weddings and formal dinners, you mightwant a finer fabric, tailored or slim fit look. Darker tones work wellfor uber formal events but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to black.
The most critical factor for men’s suits is size and fit. It might soundlike the most obvious thing, but getting this wrong can ruin your entirelook. Try out different styles to understand what fits you best insteadof simply picking up what’s in trend. Another important element in yoursuit is the number of buttons on it. The number of buttons impacts thefit. Since the 1990s, the three button suit has been the standard choicefor most men. However, if you are looking for a more modern,minimalistic look, 2 button suits are your best bet.
Vents on the back of a blazer are one of the key factors to considerwhen buying your next suit. Every design element in men’s suits has autilitarian purpose. Vents allow for movement, access, while also beingaesthetically pleasing.
There are 3 types of suit vents:
- Single vent: Ideal for casual suits because of its simpler aesthetic.It is also a great option for your everyday business suit. This style issuitable for all body types and for people who prefer to keep thingssubtle.
- Double sided vent: European style vents found commonly onmade to measure or premium ready to wear men’s suits. An ideal choicefor those who want to create an impression wherever they go.
- Ventless Jacket: Ventless suit jackets are not a great option most ofthe time. It almost always applies to a tuxedo jacket.
Suits are a style investment. They are meant to serve you long term.That is why it is advisable to pick patterns, prints, and colours thatwill stand the test of time. While this decision is also heavilyinfluenced by the number of suits you already have in your wardrobe, wewould suggest starting out with timeless classics. As your collection ofsuits grows, you can experiment more!
Feeling ready to flaunt your style in a statement suit? Browse throughour collection of men’s suits and find one that fits your taste, needs,and preferences
