Why no love for the three piece suit? - Page 2

Answer to that question:
...when everyone else at work dress like slobs.

three piece suits are fine for any occasion which calls for a suit and for any age that would wear a suit.

the problem is - there aren't many OTR 3PS available these days. none at all at Brooks; Paul Stuart is offering one optional vest (any color you want, as long as it's gray chalk stripe)...

if the only way to get a 3PS is to go bespoke, they're not going to be seen very often.

This is an odd proclamation. At my office (business formal, most people are SF approved in terms of fit/colors/etc), a 3-piece on anyone less than very senior would look like a costume. You wouldn't be fired or anything, but people would crack jokes like you look like you work in menswear.

That's not true. I bought a Tiglio suit in the last year which came with a waistcoat. Charles Tyrwhitt also offers waistcoats for a number of suits. For the most part, I think you just have to make an inquiry.

thats pretty silly. You wouldn't think in a business formal office, a three piece would raise any eyebrows. Certainly don't find it costumey.

I actually prefer suits with odd waistcoats. But unfortunately, I wore out my favorite waistcoat. Admittedly, it is July, so I have time to replace it.

You guys are being too theoretical. It's like if someone asked why more people don't wear morning suits to weddings and SF posters responded "That's pretty silly, you wouldn't think at a wedding, a morning suit would raise any eyebrows." But in real life if everyone else is wearing suits, then you are going to stand out and look either eccentric (best case) or weird (most likely).

i agree with sellahi; i would LOVE to have a 3 piece in the collection (and may take the plunge) but the occasions where i could wear all three together, at least based on current life experience, are few and far between. i work in a large office (800+ people) and have not seen one 3 piece suit. ever.

eh, I guess I'm used to being seen as eccentric or weird because I've always dressed nicer than average.

Times have changed.

Golly. "That's not true" seems a tad harsh. The fact that one British company offers some OTR 3-pieces doesn't really refute my thesis. And as for Tiglio ... it's a great website, love the music, it's "italianissimo" but the vested suits currently shown there are quite a ways from CBD.

What are your thoughts on the formality of a 3PS for business? To me it seems more formal than a DB suit. I'd wear a DB to work but not a 3 piece until I was pretty senior.

On the other hand for social occasions it's just a stylish item and I'd wear it a lot in cooler months.

+1


Not really. See the above. Even if the 3 piece was back in fashion, the vast majority still wouldn't wear it. Just indicative of today's (lesser) sartorial standards. Nothing will change that I'm afraid.

right, but if everybody else dresses like a slob, if you show up in a nice slim fit suit, you look "weird" enough. adding a waistcoat hardly elevates it much further in my opinion.

Is the point of a vest to discard the coat in the office and still have something over your shirt and tie (i.e., besides the style aspect, was there some semi-practical point to it when it was more popular)?

A three piece makes me think a banker who has to deal with customers all day and needs to appear just that much more formal. It's hard enough looking like a lawyer and not coming off too snotty. Snooty. Snotty. Whatever.

In my small office and even in the larger building, I am quite sure a three-piece would get plenty of stares and chuckles, no matter how nice. Too bad.