European Vs USA

[Mark Bannerman]

Hi,

1st contribution by way of a start thread... So be gentle...

I have a question... perhaps directed at the US audience on here....

In Europe (largely) the is a much larger preference for a more tailored look, a slimmer cut jacket and trouser. The 'coat' is much more pulled in to emphasis a close fitting look where as our American cousins ( I know a generalisation but none the less..) tend to opt much more for Box type suits. That are typically much larger along the shoulder and have a more square cut to them..

Now we each have our preferences but why would you for example say have a suit made for you in the US style which is much more an OTR look IMHO....

Just merely a musing of mine.. as most of the travelling tailors (no doubt because the large chunk of their business is US based give you this larger squarer cut even in Europe??

So in short why the preference for the US suit? is it purely comfort?

 

[MetroStyles]

Most people on this forum prefer a fitted look. American brands such as Ralph Lauren do it well. But you are right, generally speaking, American suits are boxy. This is most likely because many American consumers are fat and suits are produced to be sold to the most people possible. After all, if you need it taken in, you can always take it to a tailor.

 

[Cary Grant]

Habit. Speaking of the general public anyway.

Most Americans just buy off the rack with not that much sense of style. We've been buying boxy suits for ages in part because folks don't know any better.

And in this day and age, with so many Americans being overweight, the trim fit doesn't flatter many.

Historically- there is some sense that the American fit you describe might be considered "more masculine" as well.

Just IMO.

 

[Mark Bannerman]

I agree that its a habit.. An incredible amount of people in the UK wear awful suits... but looking on the askandyaboutclothes forum as well, for someone so well versed in 'fashion' I am amazed that despite the no doubt endless amounts of free tailoring he must receive for plugging the likes of Gino and Henry tailor that he atleast must a) know about suits b) have access to makers that can give him a better fit....
I had a suit by the guys at Gino for example as more of an experiment when I was in Thailand (not commenting on quality but purely fit) but the suit came back fitting in the a loose sense but was cut like a US box suit, lots of straight lines and big panels...
So the example, sorry to pick on ANDY is either his personal preference i guess or like me buying from these guys gives you the bag/box suit...
or was i just unlucky with this suit perhaps....?
Having worn a suit for 6 days a week since I was six I have pretty fierce views on what I like suits to look like but always been 'vexed' by our chums over the pond...and finding this site has perhaps helped me in my quest ...

 

[BostonRussell]

While I'm pretty sure that anyone that is fashion conscious in the states prefers a fitted suit the average consumer goes for boxy for a couple of reasons.

1. Comfort. Given thier disinclination (word?) for fashion many American men view putting on a suit as a burden that should be minimized, hence loose suits.

2. Our suit salesmen, wanting customers to be comfortable, do nothing to mitigate the issue. At the average Macy's I have to argue with my suit salesman because he keeps trying to sell me a size up.

4. The broader, boxier suit is considered masculine (in many circles concerning oneself with one's clothing is feminine behavior).

5. The precedent got set a long time ago. Going against the norm is great in fashion but not always the most beneficial in the corporate world i.e. a slimmer suit is considered less "professional" to some.


All things considered I love my countrymen's ignorance. you can't imagine how easy it is to be the best dressed man on the street in Orlando, FL

 

[MetroStyles]

Originally Posted by BostonRussell

While I'm pretty sure that anyone that is fashion conscious in the states prefers a fitted suit the average consumer goes for boxy for a couple of reasons.

1. Comfort. Given thier disinclination (word?) for fashion many American men view putting on a suit as a burden that should be minimized, hence loose suits.

2. Our suit salesmen, wanting customers to be comfortable, do nothing to mitigate the issue. At the average Macy's I have to argue with my suit salesman because he keeps trying to sell me a size up.

4. The broader, boxier suit is considered masculine (in many circles concerning oneself with one's clothing is feminine behavior).

5. The precedent got set a long time ago. Going against the norm is great in fashion but not always the most beneficial in the corporate world i.e. a slimmer suit is considered less "professional" to some.


All things considered I love my countrymen's ignorance. you can't imagine how easy it is to be the best dressed man on the street in Orlando, FL

Well, don't keep us in suspense. What's reason 3?

 

[Mark Bannerman]

Originally Posted by BostonRussell

While I'm pretty sure that anyone that is fashion conscious in the states prefers a fitted suit the average consumer goes for boxy for a couple of reasons.

1. Comfort. Given thier disinclination (word?) for fashion many American men view putting on a suit as a burden that should be minimized, hence loose suits.

2. Our suit salesmen, wanting customers to be comfortable, do nothing to mitigate the issue. At the average Macy's I have to argue with my suit salesman because he keeps trying to sell me a size up.

4. The broader, boxier suit is considered masculine (in many circles concerning oneself with one's clothing is feminine behavior).

5. The precedent got set a long time ago. Going against the norm is great in fashion but not always the most beneficial in the corporate world i.e. a slimmer suit is considered less "professional" to some.


All things considered I love my countrymen's ignorance. you can't imagine how easy it is to be the best dressed man on the street in Orlando, FL

Good answer.......

 

[dkzzzz]

The same reason Americans prefer XL swim-trunks to Speedos. It's provincial Puritanism.

 

[Mark Bannerman]

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

Well, don't keep us in suspense. What's reason 3?

yes number 3 better be good ....keeping us waiting for it is just mean!!!

 

[CharlesAlexander]

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

Well, don't keep us in suspense. What's reason 3?

 

[Siggy]

Most suits made for the American market are made for the least-common-denominator, meaning cut big and boxy to fit the most men who are generally overweight and have no idea how a suit should fit anyway.

Comfort is false, since a well fitting suit will be more comfortable than one that is too big.

 

[erdawe]

Most American men don't bother to learn crap about clothing. They go by what they see a majority of those peers around them doing, then act in a likewise manner.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Siggy

Most suits made for the American market are made for the least-common-denominator, meaning cut big and boxy to fit the most men who are generally overweight and have no idea how a suit should fit anyway.

Comfort is false, since a well fitting suit will be more comfortable than one that is too big.
I agree.

 

[nate10184]

This reminds me of when my friends and I would look through GQ and compare the American labels with the European ones. There's always a gap between the arms and the body on European ads that's absent from most American label ads. If I'm feeling ambitious when I get home I'll post an example.

 

[gorgekko]

American suits were cut fuller long before -- decades now -- the present trend of expanding waistlines (which, by the way, is no less prevalent in Europe than the U.S.) so I don't think that particular argument is very valid.