The Last Word
A Retrospective Of
Before the 60s came along, the men's suit was either incredibly stuffy. The enforced, elaborate etiquette and accessories made tailoring accessible for the elite only, and suits for blue collar workers were heavy and uncomfortable - very much a case of function over form. However, the 60s kickstarted a style revolution, giving men of all incomes and backgrounds the chance to wear good quality clothes that fit with their personal style.
Many young men at the time will have been secretly envious of their old man donning his best suit and tie to go down to the local club on a weekend, and the rise of new, innovative brands and production techniques allowed them to get a taste of what they were missing.
Mod suiting was huge, inspired by classic Ivy League tailoring brought over from the US, with the cut of both the jacket and trousers much slimmer and sleeker than what had come before
The suits popularised today by Mad Men were also huge in the 60s, with suits soft and thick in the shoulders and chest, tapering at the waist, invariably in grey flannel, the look du jour.
With such a history of men's suiting to build upon, today's formal office attire can pick and choose its inspiration with ease. Ben Sherman suits are, as you would imagine, influenced heavily by the styles of the 60s, with slim fits and clean lines the only way to go for us.
A suit should be a versatile garment, therefore keeping the colour and pattern plain will enhance its wear ability, with a light check a great way of adding a bit of grandiosity to the every day.
Every man should have a slim fit, good-quality suit in grey, black and navy in his wardrobe, allowing for any occasion.
