Suits do not need to be formal. Pinstripes have their place, though that place is usually limited to the centers of large urban areas. Elsewhere, and that is most places, the enterprising dresser has the opportunity to extend the scope of the daytime suit, as he should, for the best suits are the informal ones in my opinion. Less uniform and more personal expression, the less formal suit is the sign of the man who thinks about his clothes.
There is no simple definition of a less formal suit, but all of them share some characteristics of that informality. For one thing, the cloth will usually have more pattern, or a less traditional color, like the light gray corduroy suit in progress in the photograph. The cloth will often be anything but worsted wool. Cotton, linen or tweed perhaps. And the details will most likely vary from the ubiquitous two button, flapped pocket business suit - features such as patch pockets or buttons that stand out instead of blending in (though the full belted action back treatment is best left to clothing that will actually be worn for sporting pursuits more rigorous than clubbing).
That is not to say that the less formal suit blends in, for it does not. Where the objective of the business suit is subtlety, the less formal suit should put a twinkle in a lady's eye. It makes a statement.
So give me more of your green herringbone Cheviot. Bring on the tobacco linen and the olive cotton. Suits do not need to be formal.
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2 comments:
There is a rumbling argument over 'rules' and 'norms' over at the LL at the moment. Of course, you are right, suits do not have to be formal. It all depends what they are intended for. There is a growing caucus whose members are insisting that the rules (norms) have been eroded to such an extent that a light grey corduroy suit will soon find its way into the boardroom. I think that this is just silly. But a light grey corduroy suit, in the right context, is far from silly. I feel that this is a distinction that needs to be appreciated.
Of course you're right. I like the feeling of being 'suited' but really need that informality sometimes. I've had a light brown corduroy suit for several years that always seems appropriate for weekend day wear, light lunches and the like. Much like a tweed suit.
The French composer Erik Satie had seven identical corduroy suits made up from cloth he was given as 'payment'. It was his bohemian period, and that's the way I use my suit, informal-smart. If it was good enough for him...
Your grey suit looks fantastic and makes me want to get one.
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