History of the Suit in 22 Minutes: The Evolution of Menswear from 1800 to Today

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Gentleman's Gazette

#Suits # #Menswear #notsponsored

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Even though many elements of the suit, as we know it today, have remained unchanged since its inception, there are certainly differences in the details of a suit from 2020 compared to a suit from the 1980s or 1940s.

First of all, what exactly is a suit? The term "suit" is derived from the French term "Suivre" which means to follow. Meaning, the jacket follows the pants or vice versa. So a suit is a combination of a jacket and a pair of pants in a matching fabric. It's not just the color but also made out of the same fabric. Like many aspects of classic menswear, the origins of the suit can also be traced back to Beau Brummell.

He was the prototypical gent in the 19th century England. Before Beau Brummell, menswear was heavily influenced by the French Corp and evolved around heavily embroidered fabrics such as velvet and knee breeches and stockings. Beau Brummell replaced all of this with lone trousers worn with boots and a coat that didn't have much ornamentation or color. Frankly, Brummell may not have been the first one to simplify the classic French men's wardrobe because at that point in time, it had already become unpopular.

French menswear was negatively associated with the French Revolution and people who wore it were beheaded in the guillotine. Nevertheless, Beau Brummell definitely popularized the new less ornamental style. Now, it seems like the top and the bottom of Beau Brummell's outfits weren't always exactly the same and matching but the whole silhouette and the more muted color stream laid the groundwork for the modern suit, as we know it today.

By the start of the Victorian era which lasted from 1837 to 1901, the first and foremost garment a man would wear was a frock coat. It was basically a black coat that resembles modern overcoats. It had a single vent in the back and was either single or double breasted. In terms of length, it reached down all the way to the knees that's why it resembles an overcoat. While the single breasted version of a frock coat was more common, the double-breasted version was more formal because it was also known as the Prince Albert.

Later in the Victorian era, the frock coat basically split up in two different elements. On the one hand, we had the morning coat that kept the tails, on the other hand, we had the lounge suit which lost it. While the morning suit remained the length, it now had open quarters rather than the closed quarters of a frock coat and it often had just a single button and it wasn't double-breasted anymore. At the time, it became the number one option for formal daywear but in today's world, it's probably even more formal and typically only worn at Royal Weddings or high society weddings. Maybe in England, it's a little different where you can still see the regular Joe wearing a morning coat for their wedding but in the US and out side of England, it's typically just done so in very certain circles either by people who really appreciate classic men's clothing or because they have a certain status in society.

Please watch the video for a timeline of the evolution of suits.

20:00 Outfit Rundown

[JamesRDavenport]

I personally would love to see all of the best elements of 1920s and 30s style made with the technology and edge of the 2020s. Would make this a more interesting decade.

[davidvavra]

I'm a thrift store shopper so I see a melange of the last 40 years in every store.
It's fashion archeology with a touch of anthropology, much of it learned from you guys.
Thanks.

[kostictheth]

As a person from a small country, who adores elegant-old fashion-classy style, this channel is truly a gold mine. Cheers!

[michaelchainsoff]

my dear friend, i hope you read my comment here. Thank you. First of all i want to thank you for your beautiful videos. Your vision of the style is the paramount. I really enjoy to your channel, it is the best on youtube. Thank you for pictures from 1930-2020, that compilation was incredible. I only can imagine how difficult your work is. Thank, my friend. I wish you all the best. I am from Russia, saint-petersburg, here is very difficult to find information, but your channel is superb. Thank you! I am sorry my english skills not so good, but i hope you read this and understand me. Thank you so much!

[hiphops]

the 1920s and 1930s was the best time for the suit period, the best tailoring and the best fabrics the golden age

[sebastianflynn]

I adore the 70s, the earthy tones and wide lapels and patterns are fantastic, (the work wear is top notch too) the flairs are maybe not something as loved but imo they have their charm.

[DemetriosLevi]

Now, this is what we need! Getting my popcorn ready right now

[janerkenbrack]

That was a very good summary of the suit evolution over the years. I kept wanting to hear more about one era or another, but remembered your 22 minute commitment. Keep up the good work, and continue to wash your hands, as I am sure you already do.

[saidihussein]

I never understand why my dad liked Suits but now I can’t stop wear it.
I wear suits to class, work and even to hang out with my friends. Idk what it is but wearing a suit give me so much confidence and swag

[Islandsoundzz]

Thank you for the hard work you put into your videos. I personally love wearing a suit (with or without a tie) even if I don't have to. It can be a challenge in the tropics where I live, but I think it makes a man look more complete and people tend to treat you with a bit more respect.

[MegaZsolti]

I like the masculine shape of the 30s and 40s suits.

[ryptoll]

Videos like this one just makes me appreciate the suit so much more! I'm one of those who wear suits just because I want to, although I wouldn't consider myself all that fancy. I'm more like... inspired by fanciness. I only have two suits so far, and one of them is a thrifted 3-piece suit that I guessed is probably from the 80's, and by your description of 80's suit styles, that seems like a fit. It has very broad shoulders, wide lapels, low buttons, all that stuff.

It's light grey, felted wool mix. It looks more rugged and casual, than formal. I can imagine it might have been something a banker or accountant might have worn. So it's not a suit I'd wear for a wedding, but I think it's perfect for wearing on a casual occasion. Although I don't have any tailoring education, I've alterned the pants and vest by myself, so that they'll fit me better. However, it was altered already when I bought it, and to my dismay, quite horribly so. That was one heck of a challenge to remedy.

There was even sharp scrap metal added to the vest, in place of a buckle for the back strap! Can you imagine being stabbed by that every time you lean back in the sofa? And that back strap itself was also horribly manhandled with sewing thread. But now that whole suit is finally good (enough) to go! I refused to give up on it, and I'm glad I kept trying to salvage it. Sure, it's hardly a treasure suit, but it sure is a nice trinket for a peasant, haha. I'm so broke, I have to tailor my own suits... which I buy at thrift stores, lol.

[warden]

I'm currently in college in England and just today I handed in a form regarding an extended qualification I could do on anything and I said I'd be doing the evolution of the suit/classic menswear, and despite the fact I love the channel, I'm gonna skip this video and see how my analysis stocks up😂

[vadic]

Words can't describe how happy I am that this channel exists for so long I've been wanting to learn about this but now that I can learn I'm excited for what's to come next 🎉

[charliemartin]

I can tell this video took a lot of research and effect, I love that!

[thatoneguy]

Clark Gable is my all time favorite gentleman I love his style and take inspiration from his haircut

[ComfortsSpecter]

I love that 50’s 60’s sort a retro futurism, magazine cover with a bright green lawn in front of a suburban home kinda suit

Like the mod suits or the plaid suit jackets with the sweater vests, the stylish ties, the smoking jacket, cigar lounge type stuff, it’s just so stylish

One of my favorite suits is the benny’s suit from fallout new Vegas, it just screams that your playing a fallout game with those 50’s style diagonal striped squares

[TheAyeAye]

The 1970's were pretty much a low point all the way around. I dimly remember everyone looking like clowns on casual Friday.

[bastardtubeuser]

Its all great, Baroque style is my favourite of all. I have no issue with wig wearing and would be happy to see it more, right up to a huge big judge/santa style wig.

[JamesBrown-ijpx]

Fabulous! What a concise history in both words and images! I grieve for the days when men dressed with style instead of looking like slobs! Hopefully we can revive those days of style!