Suits have been around for centuries and are the staple of modernity and professionalism. Yet, the suits we wear today aren’t the ones that existed during the attire’s origin. They have evolved with many notable changes caused by various societal challenges and situations. As a result, the history of suits is quite detailed and intriguing.
Since there’s a stark contrast between the suits of the contemporary era and those of the early 19th century, we have a lot to cover. But to save time, let’s take a brief look at the evolution of tailored suits from the olden times to the present day.
The Regency Era – Beau Brummell
The modern suit’s history begins with a man named Beau Brummel. Back in the early 19th century, men’s traditional outfits were dying out and many people were trying to find new modernized concepts that represented men of that day and age. One of those people was Beau Brummel. He introduced a unique new dressing sense for the time where you would wear well-fitted garments in neutral colors which went against the ornate and overly colorful concepts of the time. His ideas caught on, and led the foundation of modern suits as we know it.
The Early 1900s – Birth of the Modern Suit
Ankle-length pants, slim lapels, vests, and long jackets – these were the ingredients chosen for the representation of a proper suit in the early 20th century. This was an innovation from a loose form of dressing to more organized and well-recognized styles of suits. This period in the history of suits saw darker colors and relatively better materials. As such, it become a common-practice to wear suits in the Western hemisphere.
The Roaring Twenties – A Flourish of Style
The First World War was a great event of the 1910s. There was a lot of bloodshed, sacrifice, horror, and destruction across the globe. Yet, after every war comes an era of peace and development. So, during the 1920s, we saw significant evolution of tailored suits once again. This time brought a slightly strange era of bright colors, short jackets, and baggy pants. Perhaps it wasn’t the best of men’s fashion, depending on who you ask. But there was a lot of creativity with vibrant styles which matches the cultural norms of the time.
The 1950s: Return to Elegance
Progress in the history of suits and clothing halted once again during the Second World War. This war was even more devastating than the first war. But since the war had ended before the 1950s, we saw another decade of advancement in suits. The short and bright of the 20s were ditched for bigger suits that featured a more neutral aesthetic. In other words, you’d see longer jackets with cuffed trousers in sober colors that represented the sophisticated themes of the 50s.
The 1960s and 1970s – Experimentation and Revolution
The 60s and 70s brought a drastic evolution of tailored suits and the general landscape of the fashion industry. This was the beginning of minimalism and slim-fits in men’s suits. Of course, that didn’t remain for too long, as the 70s brought back the concept of suits being loose and flamboyant. You would also experience bright colors and casual patterns again. This was somewhat because suits weren’t considered formal wear at the time. They were instead leisurely outfits you’d wear at home and at casual outings.
The 1980s – Power Dressing
If you’ve ever heard the term “power suit”, you should know this is where it all began. The 1980s brought us the idea that suits should emphasize command and confidence. Padded shoulders, pinstripes, and suspenders had become the norm when you’d like to dress to impress. These concepts of the 80s suit history were further solidified through pop culture via celebrities like Michael Douglas, who played Gordon Gekko in the film “Wall Street”. The man portrayed a character who looks successful and emulates power simply from his looks.
The 1990s – Casual and Relaxed
Many suit enthusiasts don’t see this as a great time in the history of suits. During the 90s we moved away from power suits and displaying command through the quality of suits you wear. They were once again used for casual purposes with bigger unstructured sizes. There was also a shift toward minimalism with less focus on intricate designs and more on simplicity and neutral colors. The bold and aggressive approach of the 80s was ditched completely during this era.
The 2000s – A Blend of Tradition and Modernity
The 2000s brought back the allure and elegance of the 80s. This period in suit history celebrated by some people as the time when suits were revived to their classic forms with the highest class. Of course, it wasn’t all about the older designs. There were also contemporary integrations to the suit to enhance the comfort and appeal of modernity combined with tradition. So, you got to enjoy better fabric quality, enhanced cuts, more precise tailoring, and finer details, all in one.
Cultural and Technological Influences
Throughout its history, the suit has been influenced by various cultural, technological, and societal changes. The invention of synthetic fibers in the 20th century revolutionized suit manufacturing, making suits more affordable and accessible. Additionally, cultural icons and celebrities have consistently shaped the evolution of tailored suits, from Hollywood stars to political figures. The influence of music, movies, and popular culture has played a significant role in defining and redefining men’s suits.
The Future of Men’s Suits
Throughout the history of suits, the enhancement of suit designs and manufacturing has continued in one form or another. Today, we’ve made such technological progress that we can manufacture hundreds of thousands of suits effortlessly and at more affordable rates. In addition to that, the varieties of suits keep expanding with time through changes in societal and cultural norms across the world. Plus, the wide range of choices among fabrics helps us get suits for all kinds of occasions. Thus, the suit remains a timeless icon of style and sophistication.
Get The Best Of Contemporary Suits
This was a brief history of suits spanning from the early 19th century to date. If you’d like to learn more about the best use of suits and creating lasting impressions, have a look at some of our other informative reads.
And if you’d like customized modern suits, get in touch with Christopher Allen Clothiers. We have seasoned expertise in creating personalized professional and casual suits for all occasions. Talk to us today to begin your journey toward visual excellence!