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Is a natural shoulder on a business suit inappropriate?

VinnyMac

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Why would it be inappropriate? I don't understand where you're coming from. Besides people who use sites like this one, who do you think is going to notice or even care?
 
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HughJ

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I think a natural shoulder can make the wearer look "at home" in a suit, which to me conveys a more subtle and effective sense of authority than the so-called power suit.

+1. The word "can" is key, of course. A poor fit quashes any sense of authority either way.
 

lee_44106

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It depends on the pecking order of the participants in the business meeting.
 

Superfluous

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No one will notice, but in general, I think they should have strong roped shoulders.... hell, I think all jackets should have strong roped shoulders, otherwise they're just cardigans :p
 

johanm

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It's really absurd to think that anyone notices the shoulders on your suit. People will notice if your suit looks cheap or has tacky/loud fabric or or fits poorly, but real life people don't register shoulder construction unless they post on internet clothes forums or are themselves customers of a bespoke tailor who has a distinctive approach to shoulders. This is true in any business setting, in any industry, in any city of the world.
 
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johanm

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Most people don't notice actual shoulder construction, but I think people notice a more relaxed look to a suit vs. a more structured one even if they can't identify the actual construction details that create t hat impression.


I have never been in a business setting where it is conceivable that anyone important is thinking about whether anyone else's suit gives a relaxed vs. structured impression. YMMV I guess.
 

unbelragazzo

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I have never been in a business setting where it is conceivable that anyone important is thinking about whether anyone else's suit gives a relaxed vs. structured impression. YMMV I guess.


Not all things that are noticed are noticed through conscious thought.
 

add911_11

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People do notice 'soft' vs 'roped' shoulder, it is so obvious that tailors need different construction for each.
Soft shoulder suit needs very good body shape, I am afraid most people who could afford these kind of stuff will be slightly obese, mid- age, man.
Rope shoulder suit generally makes better appearance on people.
 

Superfluous

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I revise my statement about no one will notice. No one will note that the shoulders are how they are, however, it entirely changes the look of the jacket. The roped shoulder gives a very aggressive, bold look, while the natural shoulder with an unroped shoulder will look more weenie.
 

hookem12387

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I vote classically American. So not frowned upon at all here. Perhaps elsewhere.

The current Hickey Freeman shoulders are very soft, and I don't think they would be inappropriate:

700
 
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comrade

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I vote classically American. So not frowned upon at all here. Perhaps elsewhere.
The current Hickey Freeman shoulders are very soft, and I don't think they would be inappropriate:
700


Soft to whom?
Soft is not natural.
Unless this is a new cut, nothing in the
SanFrancisco Hickey Shop has a true
natural shoulder.
 

add911_11

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those Hickey suit ain't total soft, we are talking about wearing a Kel jacket for boardroom
 

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