Reviving Vintage Elegance: How Tailored Suits Honour Timeless Style
Of all the options in a man’s wardrobe, it’s the suit that takes the gong for the most timeless piece. Refined, elegant and (ideally) crafted to the wearer, it’s a garment that is designed to bypass trends, instead acting as a foundation that can be built upon season after season.
And it’s for this very reason that classic styles of suiting tend to stay in vogue for a very long time. But what makes a timeless suit style and how can you achieve this look without straying too far into costume territory?
Here, we provide the three-point Oscar Hunt guide to creating the perfect custom suit with a retro touch.
Find an era that suits you
If you’re thinking about a retro-inspired suit, the first step is to understand what era you’re most drawn to. From the British-mod style suiting of the 50s and 60s to the double-breasted power suits of the 80s to the looser silhouettes of the 40s, there is a wide range to choose from.
One way to narrow down the options is to consider what style is most likely to suit your body shape. For example, if you’re tall and lean, a British mod style may risk making you appear lanky.
Our very own fitter, Fernando, provides a great reference for those on the shorter side. He favours a heritage tailoring look featuring suspenders as that draws the eye up the body and elongates the silhouette (versus wearing a belt which can cut the body in half).
Choose an element to focus on
So, you’ve chosen an era. What’s next? Deciding what elements you want to customize on your retro-inspired suit. Now, the operative word here is ‘inspired’. You don’t actually want to wear a suit that is an exact like-for-like from the period.
Instead, we recommend focusing on an element to give your suit that touch of vintage panache - think the width of the lapel, the fit or even the size of the trouser cuff.
Play with colour
The final element in creating your custom vintage suit is to explore the range of colours and fabrics available. This can play just as big a role as the styling elements in giving the garment that retro feel and can be a great opportunity to show your unique character.
To really dial up the notch here, we suggest playing with colours that don’t typically feature in standard suiting, particularly focusing on neutrals like taupe, beige and brown.
To learn more - or simply get inspired - swing by your local showroom or give us a bell today.