The Double Breasted Suit is Back for a New Generation

Fashion has a very interesting way of bringing back forgotten classics, reinventing them for a new generation. The double breasted suit represented the glamour age of the 1930s and 1950s, and was revitalised in the 1980s for the yuppies obsessed with power dressing. As fashion has become more casual and covenient, the double breasted suit became outdated.

I think we are starting to see the double breasted suit making a comeback though, with top designers (Tom Ford, Prada, Zegna) and the high street (Top Shop) offering their own designs. A new generation that hasn’t experienced the double breasted suit may have a new and invigorating attitude towards the garment. In many ways, bringing back an old classic is a way of subverting the garment itself.

The double breasted suit has a wonderful look of sartorial elegance, making the wearer look ultra confident and smooth. Whilst this may have been overused in the 80s (and leading to its demise), perhaps we are ready for this look again. What is interesting is whether the double breasted suit will be worn traditionally, or tweaked for the 21st century consumer. A skinny tie and trilby could add a whole new dimension to the double breasted suit.