Lining Colors Sell the Jacket?

mensimageconsultant · Nov 4, 2006

Will anyone here admit to initially considering a suit or odd jacket because of a lining in an attention-getting color? Some of the online retailers display them so as to emphasize the lining (on the inside of the back), and, for example, gray with an orange lining looks better than gray with a brown lining. Maybe the manufacturers are choosing lining colors to increase sales?

RJman · Nov 5, 2006

Originally Posted by mensimageconsultant

Will anyone here admit to initially considering a suit or odd jacket because of a lining in an attention-getting color? Some of the online retailers display them so as to emphasize the lining (on the inside of the back), and, for example, gray with an orange lining looks better than gray with a brown lining. Maybe the manufacturers are choosing lining colors to increase sales?
Well, that was cutting edge eight years ago, when Paul Smith and RJ began doing so in order to mimic bespoke suit linings. It's rather passe now, although perhaps some mall shops are doing it. I admit my first RJ suit had a turquoise lining, but that wasn't why I bought it. If anyone here happens to find it in a DC-area Goodwill, please let me know.

Holdfast · Nov 5, 2006

I never have... but I routinely overhear others mentioning it while choosing a suit. "First-suit" guys (and their partners!) seem especially fond of them. Classic style over substance mistake, but they'll learn soon enough.

Oddly enough, thinking about my suits, I think my RTW linings are all rather sedate - it's some of the MTM and bespoke ones that have jazzier linings. Make of that what you will.

I have noticed the colour contrast in RTW moved on from the lining to the inside of the collar, with I think Etro and Paul Smith leading the way in jacket collars that are meant to be worn "popped" to show off contrast colour. These are also often displayed ready-popped.

Rather tacky, to my eye.

dirk diggler · Nov 5, 2006

the guy who makes my MTM suits usually has the lining color match the color of the stripe or other fabric on the jacket. It has come in very handy early in the morning trying to decide if a stripe was tan or yellow. I am tempted on solid colored suits to get something radical like hot pink or lime green.

mack11211 · Nov 5, 2006

The fashion goes in and out but someone is always doing it.

Back in the fifties in NYC, Chipp was the custom tailor known for fun linings.

Fun linings are in the same area as colorful boxers and braces: Something few others will see unless you specifically let them.

luk-cha · Nov 6, 2006

i thort it was great at the start i could choose aray of different colors but i a just prefer not to have lining and on the inside the same color as the suit!

Augusto86 · Nov 6, 2006

Originally Posted by Holdfast

I never have... but I routinely overhear others mentioning it while choosing a suit. "First-suit" guys (and their partners!) seem especially fond of them. Classic style over substance mistake, but they'll learn soon enough.

Oddly enough, thinking about my suits, I think my RTW linings are all rather sedate - it's some of the MTM and bespoke ones that have jazzier linings. Make of that what you will.

I have noticed the colour contrast in RTW moved on from the lining to the inside of the collar, with I think Etro and Paul Smith leading the way in jacket collars that are meant to be worn "popped" to show off contrast colour. These are also often displayed ready-popped.

Rather tacky, to my eye.

Woah...is this SubstanceForum? Did I make a wrong turn?
Damn. I hate it when I do that.

montecristo#4 · Nov 6, 2006

I have my suits made with a dark green lining in homage to my alma mater.

JRinDC · Nov 6, 2006

So, I'm having a suit made to measure (appointment on Thursday). It will be a wardrobe staple -- charcoal grey, peak lapels -- a good solid go-to suit. But this thread has me thinking. What should I do with the lining? Any thoughts? It might be fun to do a lining that sets it apart, but I don't want to go too wild. Any ideas?

Holdfast · Nov 6, 2006

Originally Posted by Augusto86

Woah...is this SubstanceForum? Did I make a wrong turn?
Damn. I hate it when I do that.

StyleAndSubstanceForum must have been too expensive a domain to register....

Jovan · Nov 6, 2006

My measurement-order suit had a dark blue lining in it I got custom. I like how it turned out with the mid-grey colour.

That said, there are many bad quality suits now that have bright or special shimmery linings to try to sell it... I wouldn't buy them since I'm a sharp-eyed suit buyer.

VKK3450 · Nov 6, 2006

I wouldnt let lining affect the core decision when buying RTW. If I already wanted it, it fit well, looked good, nice fabric and construction and right price etc, but I was considering if I really really need it, then an interesting lininig may make me go.... "Wow, thats cool, what the hell I'll take it"

But on my custom stuff, I always go for a different lining. Today I am wearing a very dark grey with a deep purple lining. My dinner jacket has a hot pink lining.

K

Get Smart · Nov 6, 2006

No one ever sees the lining so it's a silly point to "sell the suit", but given the choice, I'd rather have bright fun linings than sedate ones for the whimsy of it

jester · Nov 6, 2006

Originally Posted by JRinDC

It might be fun to do a lining that sets it apart, but I don't want to go too wild. Any ideas?

For a charcoal grey, go-to suit for which you don't want to go too wild, you could just get a solid color, burgundy for a charcoal grey I think. Or a bolder but still solid color, depending on your definition of "too wild".

I tend to go for nauseatingly elaborate lining designs and colors, personally.

grimslade · Nov 6, 2006

Originally Posted by jester

For a charcoal grey, go-to suit for which you don't want to go too wild, you could just get a solid color, burgundy for a charcoal grey I think. Or a bolder but still solid color, depending on your definition of "too wild".

I tend to go for nauseatingly elaborate lining designs and colors, personally.

How about a dark blue or purple? I think contrast linings are fun, and a kind of inside joke.

Lining Colors Sell the Jacket?

Distinguished Member

Posse Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Sean Penn's Mexican love child

Stylish Dinosaur

Active Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Banned for Good

Distinguished Member

Don't Crink

Senior Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Classic Menswear Featured products

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

Depends on price

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: