Fashion, particularly men’s fashion, has a reputation for slowly, but constantly evolving, but always ending up back where it started. Now, what was once old is new again, as slim-fit men’s dress clothes have reclaimed their place atop the fashion world. Gone are the days of over-sized parachute shirts, as more and more modern men look to get back to the traditional roots of workplace attire.
For the most parts, men’s dress clothes tend to be quite insensitive to the normal fluctuations of fashion. Trends tend to settle in more slowly, and have a knack for staying around longer, than in most other corners of the fashion world. Perhaps it is because of the average man’s lack of desire to spend significant time in a retail setting, or perhaps it is because we are simply less cyclical in our tastes, but for whatever reason, menswear simply seems to want to stay where it is at any given moment.
It is for these reasons that the latest shift seems monumental. In recent years, men’s dress clothes have made a move towards a slimmer, more streamlined fit than in years prior. Perhaps it has to do with the fitness craze which has also been picking up steam over the past decade, leading more and more men to want to show off what they’ve worked so hard for. Or maybe it is a newfound love of that classic fifties style, with memories of Sinatra and Sammie Davis Jr. ringing through our modern consciousness.
Regardless of reasoning, those in the know have been noticing the shift, and cutting edge companies such as Miami-based Stone Rose Menswear have been cashing in. At the high end of the quality spectrum, more and more traditional-style pieces have been finding their way to the forefront of their respective collections, with a major emphasis on not only quality of material, but also on a straighter, slimmer fit. And this time, the trend appears to have some staying power.
Although fashion trends come and go, this movement towards a clean, timeless look appears to be here to stay. Particularly for men’s dress clothes, this balance offers the opportunity to establish a baseline from which each man can begin to build his very own sense of style. By bringing personal elements of style to a well-tailored, properly fitting suit, one can be sure he is at once respectful of tradition and open to interpretation.
Despite its relative inflexibility, this is one trend which is likely to leave a lasting impact on the world of men’s fashion. Time and time again, we have witnessed the meteoric rise and catastrophic failure of one ‘hot new fashion revolution’ after another…but this current movement towards traditionalism is both refreshing and familiar.
