What Has Been the Worst Era for Men's Suits?

[JLibourel]

^Yes, there was a lot of awful stuff around in the '70s, but when we are talking about suits (and sport coats) proper there was plenty of decent apparel to be had. You state you were a child then. I was 28 in 1970 and bought some few sport coats and, as I recall, one suit during that decade. (It was tight time for me!)

 

[MrDaniels]

Seventies Suit Nightmare:


[VIDEO][/VIDEO]

 

[mhdena]

This ERA right now with the slim fit, short jacket look, IMO.

 

[Coburn]



Seventies Suit Nightmare:


[VIDEO][/VIDEO]

I didn't think the seventies were that bad but .... Disco Fiddler on the Roof? You win, I vote the 70s.

Please, no more videos.

 

[MrDaniels]

In spite of the video, I am still saying the 90s are still the worst.

 

[RockyTop]

Have to go with the polyester leisure suited '70's ...then the double-breasted baggy '90's.

 

[MisterFu]

Seventies Suit Nightmare:

Holy smokes... those lapels are wider than the deck of a Nimitz class carrier.

 

[MisterFu]

^Yes, there was a lot of awful stuff around in the '70s, but when we are talking about suits (and sport coats) proper there was plenty of decent apparel to be had. You state you were a child then. I was 28 in 1970 and bought some few sport coats and, as I recall, one suit during that decade. (It was tight time for me!)

So, I will absolutely concede that in the 70's the world was still flush with options for well styled, reasonably priced and well made suits and other men's apparel. Not to rehash, but my argument is that the worst styles of the 70's were far worse than anything available today and that those terrible styles were pretty popular. I think perhaps the issue is the general decline of (what I consider) properly dressed men and the subsequent contraction of sources for good apparel. Let's face it, the majority of men, today, dress like slobs. If they can even be bothered to put on a suit, they don't wear a tie. For many, wearing dockers and a button-down shirt is "dressed up". In many places, casual dress has devolved into wife-beaters and sweatpants. Many who are trying to dress well are adopting seriously silly "fashion" trends.

But, for all that is bad today, I do sense that we bottomed out sometime in the mid to late 00's. I see more people making an effort, which is a big improvement. I am seeing fewer corporate-branded denim button down shirts with wrinkled khakis and far more bow-ties, suits, waistcoats and sports coats than I have seen in quite a while (and recently I am noticing this change outside of NYC & London, which leads me to believe this is an increasingly widespread trend). From the success of Suit Supply to my tailor's suddenly resurgent business, there is a small, but not insubstantial renaissance in menswear underway. I'll also say that as much as it bothers my personal aesthetic sense, I'd rather see a 20 something in some goofy TAT outfit than the grunge crap that permeated most of the 90's.

So, is this the worst era for men's suits? IMHO, no, it isn't. We have resurgent interest, improving selection (including whole new options - some good, some not so good) and a lot of interesting competing styles (traditional, conservative, neo-mod, neo-Edwardian, etc.). I'd put the 70's and 90's way ahead of today in the worst era's category.

Just my 2 cents.

Now how about some more pictures of awesome 70's wedding outfits...

 

[JLibourel]

^Well, I just hope you're right. I haven't seen much discernible improvement in "Slovenly California," and most of the suits I see for sale at places like South Coast Plaza are of the undersized, ultra-skinny variety. But, maybe better times are ahead!

 

[Claghorn]

Is this an appropriate thread to suggest tarring and feathering Thom Browne?

 

[MikeDT]

The trendy thing seems to be to bash the 70s and 90s. But I don't like the current trend, too skinny, too short, and too shiny. If one is only slightly built it probably works, no so good if one is more well built or portly.

 

[othertravel]

I wonder if Tom Ford will experience a similar backlash. Slightly longer jacket with a very prominent silhouette + batwing lapels.

And don't forget his defunct Base T model with the flaring trousers.

 

[Count de Monet]

...

... haha, see the guy taking self shots to post on facebook!! " i look awesome"

Yes, nothing like that goes on around here.

* * *

As a teenager in the 70's I had a dazzling white three piece suit with not a single natural thread in it. The only down side was the vest hid my wonderful 5" wide, 100% polyester ties except for the baseball sized knot. All of that was anchored by my blue suede monks from the discount shoe store. If you lived it, there is no doubt: The 70's were awful, but in a fun, spectacular way. But awful none the less.

Every other decade is slugging it out for 2nd place.

 

[MrDaniels]

 

[JLibourel]

^Well, I note that just about all the posts with pix that damn the '70s are either wedding costumes or else showbiz costumes, both of which are generally pretty awful. This is much like using the costumes of the male participants in "Dancing with the Stars" as exemplars of contemporary menswear.