STYLE – The Return of The Pinstripe Suit
Words: Harry Jarman
Whilst it’s debatable if it ever even went out of fashion, the pinstripe suit is most definitely having a moment – again.
For many in the 1920’s, the pinstripe suit was about as ‘out-there’ for a man as it got in the fashion stakes. A suit that won you more than just a second look, it was an outfit that made everyone sit up and pay attention. During this time the flashy nature of the pinstripe suit picked up in Hollywood, where stars of the silver screen, such as one of our previous style icons, Cary Grant, became proctors of the pinstripe.
Just a brief look at the timeline of the pinstripe suit will show you quite how much social history it is bathed in. Several decades down the line, it quickly became an essential purchase for every man’s wardrobe and was considered neither unusual nor particularly iconic. Thanks to the pinstripes’ association with the flocks of bankers that swarmed The Mile or Wall Street from the 1980s onwards, it would appear that most modern men avoid the stripes all together due to such negative associations.
This said, however, the rebirth of the pinstripe suit is well and truly set in motion. The modern suit includes a slimmer fit and shorter jacket, which lends itself to a more confident and masculine cut in formal-wear. The modern pinstripe suit should be worn in one of two settings; either in the workplace or on a night out. While in a work setting, simply pair this suit style with a carefully chosen tie and shirt combination. When you hit the town, ditch the tie and open up the first two buttons on your shirt, the simple stripes upon your back are the perfect form of self-expression.
With the right accessories and a carefully considered accessories, the pinstripe suit is no longer the staple of Wall Street wannabes anymore. Look to the likes of Savile Row tailors for your sartorial stripes this season, and add modern-day fashion royalty such as David Beckham, Ryan Gosling and Joseph Gordon-Levitt to your list of of style inspiration when taking on this revival.
Ermenegildo Zegna, £1,750 From zegna.com
Hackett,£600, From hackett.com
Richard James, £865, from mrporter.com
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
