The Power of the Suit: A Journey Through Style, Craftsmanship, and Legacy

A suit is more than just an outfit that can be worn. It can be seen as many things: a fashion statement, a sign of power and influence, or it can just be seen as something that showcases elegance and wealth.

Suits are versatile in the way that they are made. You can find several different types, whether it be in their traditional form, different types of fit, or even material, such as the availability of a Linen suit or a wool suit. Sometimes subtle, the differences hardly impact the overall perceived power that a suit carries.

Why has the suit garnered so much power?

The suit has always been associated with power, and history has played a role in providing that perception. If we were to take a look at important and influential roles across various roles around the world, it wouldn’t be difficult to find a suit being worn.

Influential figures in politics are often seen wearing them when making addresses. Boardroom members are often seen wearing suits because of the power the garment is perceived to hold. Black-tie events will require individuals to wear a Tuxedo because of the status and style that this type of outfit carries.

Given the status that has been created and stuck to throughout history, they have become a cornerstone of history. They are now a clothing arrangement that many associate immediately with events of certain significance and thought of as being the only acceptable fashion choice for some.

As a result of their prominence and perceived significance and importance, they have become a specialist form of fashion for many, too. In the 19th and 20th centuries, there was a rise in professional tailors because of the popularity that was experienced regarding the outfit. We saw the rise of businesses that populated London’s Savile Row because of the boom that was experienced. They also helped to change the perception that only people of a certain class could wear suits, as they became available to everyone.

Multiple suit styles are available

With the power that has been perceived because of their status and place in society, they have become a popular garment for many fashion labels to produce. There have been many designers like Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent that have used the suit as a means of creating stylistic fashion pieces that have been popularized because of the perceived power they have and present.

As fashion has developed, designers have continued to come up with new trends and styles. This has seen an elevation in their craftsmanship. There are suits available to purchase today that can consist of many different layers, with various materials combining together to create the final product. As a result, we’ve also seen the rise of bespoke options due to how they are tailored.

As mentioned, tailoring has become an important part of the industry. This is where the level of craftsmanship and the intricate details that go into suit-making can be experienced firsthand. Tailors will be required to make measurements that fit the individual who wants the garment. They will need to be an exact fit, although customization of the suit will run deeper than just this area.

Fabrics, patterns, and designs will need to be chosen. At the same time, the way that a breast pocket may appear, how lapels may fall, or the way the jacket of the suit is cut and the button placement can all be considered. That’s not even considering things like detailing, the precision of stitching and other aspects that all require a fine-eye and a high level of attention to detail. All of these various elements help to highlight just how much craftsmanship goes into creating a suit.

The legacy of the suit

With the perception of the suit still as high as it is today compared to what was first experienced many centuries ago, it’s clear that this particular garment still holds a certain legacy.

A level of power is still possible to infer from someone who is wearing the outfit, as society will often immediately associate them with being in a certain position regarding employment or status. Even though they are more affordable today and widely available, they remain an important part of fashion and don’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.