THE GENTLEMAN’S SUIT
Brief history of the suit, what it meant then and now
Aubrey Odirile
The CLASSIC GENTLEMAN
For year and years, since the dawn of civilisation, people have always wanted to be separated from all of nature by wearing clothes. The Gentleman’s suit however was a brilliant introduction to cultural fashion for men. In the 17th century at King Louis XIV's Court in Versailles, King Charles II decreed that from then on English Court men were to wear a long-coat, a waist coat (petticoat) a cravat (a variation that led to the modern necktie), a wig, knee breeches which were later called trousers and a hat. This is one of the many things that made the proper distinction between commoners and noblemen at the time.
From then the Gentleman’s suit has evolved with the years and trends of the fashion of the day but it had made its way into being a staple of any man who was either worth his name, standing and the audience of the king.
The SUIT became first and foremost a display of good manners. This was because Nobles and Court men were believed to be among the best behaved in the nations. Suit wearing and etiquette was taught at all the schools the boy children of nobles attended and they were always adorned in full suits.
The suit meant also that the wearer could use it in most if not all situations the usually find themselves in. The versatility of the suit still echoes through even to this day that its used in more formal situations, smart casual and even some casual situations with different variations.
In many ways a Gentleman wearing a suit meant that he was someone well versed in matters relating to outfit organisation, valuable fabric combinations and even designs. Many stylists over the years have come to become well known for designing bespoke suits for specific target markets while there are many other stylists who make the suit’s wholesale for general public. Custom tailor made suits are a valuable part of the modern scape in the men’s fashion industry.
Growing into an industry that emanated from the courts of King’s and houses of noblemen, the Gentleman’s suit has grown to be not only a measure of a man’s wealth but rather the formality of the workplace. This shift came from a growing number of who the culture deemed commoners began financially rising to the point of even overshadow certain other noblemen and the eventual phasing out of Kingdoms and monarchies in favour of democratic and political spaces. The workforce in the modern age, especially in office works, require a variation of the suit for corporate events and day to day. This very shift from the suit being a symbol of affluence and power but to a necessary requirement for every working age man to have. The shift from such a view has had a major influence on the psyche of men because a well tailored suit even by a regular, no name or brand tailor can garner a measure of respect and honour for the man wearing it which ultimately makes the man feel appreciated and much more productive in the workplace, at home and in every space he finds himself in.
The Gentleman’ suit has for many years now become a part of the world of men’s fashion since the years past and it was worn mostly as a mark of affluence, power, authority and nobility. In this day and age the suit is still a symbol of formality of stature and position. The suit however is never complete without the necktie and oftentimes people choose to use the bowtie instead of the normal tie to act as the completing accessory of the suit. The necktie has also developed over the years and became a staple accessory of the full suit, cementing its place as a part of the actual suit.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/385972630551981331#imgViewer
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/633387442830089#imgViewer
