Sharp Suits

The suit is still the uniform du jour for millions of men that can be seen everywhere from boardrooms to bawdy bars. It ranges from the anonymous and dignified dress of politicians and businessmen to the expression of dandified tendencies for the young or fashionable. This lushly illustrated review examines the fascinating history of the evolution of the modern suit from the days of the 19th-century tailor-made to the mass industrialization of the early part of the 20th century. The path whereby the dress of the ruling classes became the utilitarian outfit of the worker is also traced, along with a study of the progression of suit style over subsequent decades, including the fabrics and cuts used.

Eric Musgrave has been writing about fashion for more than 25 years. He served as the launch editor of the first men's magazine FHM, and has held senior positions at numerous fashion magazines, including Drapers, Men's Wear, International Textiles, Fashion Weekly, and Sportswear International.