what is the point of drape in a suit?

[knittieguy]

Is it for comfort? It seems like you are deliberately adding vertical waves to your chest.

 

[Manton]

Comfort and style. Some love it, some hate it. Vive la drape!

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by knittieguy

Is it for comfort? It seems like you are deliberately adding vertical waves to your chest.


Personally, I think it looks sloppy and too outdated.

I think there was a time when a certain group of inner circle persons wore this (All pre camera or self awareness) and it became the in thing they wore all their lives. The English seemed to settle on one tailor early on back then and keep him forever. Over time, outsiders decided that the drape must be the in thing and it kept going for years on those fumes as new waves of directionless people felt safe getting one because it was once the bright young things suit. Probably, right up through the 80s youd be safe in one as the most interesting choice. Today, you simply look like youve escaped from a 1940s movie. Not necessarily bad in and of itself but not a look garnered to command respect. However, upon seeing you in one, the elderly might feel a rush of romance over the nostalgia of it all.

 

[Ivan Kipling]

Drape is lovely. Flou, is divine. Tight, is Tom Ford.

 

[Manton]

Works especially well with flannel:

 

[Film Noir Buff]

What is it Anderson and Sheppard was once quoted as saying? Something like:

"Some swear by our clothes, others swear at them."?


In the grand scheme of things it should naturally be whatever you want but it is best to know what messages you are sending. After that enlightenment, if you still approve, then be happy.

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by Film_Noir_Buff

Today, you simply look like youve escaped from a 1940s movie.

Like a film noir?

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Like a film noir?

 

[knittieguy]

Originally Posted by Ivan Kipling

Drape is lovely. Flou, is divine. Tight, is Tom Ford.

where is the drape in this shot?

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by knittieguy

where is the drape in this shot?


It's in the 1940s

 

[alflauren]

Originally Posted by knittieguy

where is the drape in this shot?

Right in front of the blinds.

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by alflauren

Right in front of the blinds.

 

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by Ivan Kipling

Drape is lovely. Flou, is divine. Tight, is Tom Ford.

I have a couple of suits with a bit of drape and think it can look very nice when done well. The problem -- in my opinion -- is that it is not easy to balance drape with fit. This pic is an example: here, the coat just looks too big for my taste. Not big through the shoulders, just too roomy in the waist and arms.

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by Teacher

I have a couple of suits with a bit of drape and think it can look very nice when done well.

Who does it well anymore? I havent seen CHeo's suits, supposedly he does one. But really is this available rtw?

 

[summej2]

Originally Posted by Film_Noir_Buff

Who does it well anymore? I havent seen CHeo's suits, supposedly he does one. But really is this available rtw?

If you have wide shoulders relative to your frame, like me, almost everything RTW (including Brioni) ends up with a bit of drape (fullness in the chest), even if the waist supression is altered.