Suits have evolved so much since the first time it made an entrance that it’s become difficult to choose the right style and fit for each person. The idea of one style fits all, as magical as it sounds, is hardly ever true but fear not, because we’ve got your back.
Understanding these styles better will help you understand what style suits you best.
Even though there are a sea of suit styles to choose from, the OG cuts are American, British and Italian.
The American Cut
Going as far back as the 19th Century, the American cut is formal yet classy and is easily distinguished from the other cuts. Straight silhouettes and a comparatively looser fit is a signature grade of this cut, normally designed with flap pockets and is typically single vented. With extra space around the waist, the American cut is more comfortable than the other cuts. And if that’s not enough, the reinvention of this OG cut includes improvements like classic flap straight pockets, natural shoulders and better single breasted options.
The British Cut
The British Cut, although a slim fit, provides the ease your body needs. With its heavy cloth, structured shoulders and stiff canvas, the British cut sticks closer to the body giving off a slimmer look than the American style. The front of the British coat is often adorned with a ticket pocket, while the back is distinguished by a double vent and a tapered waist.
The Italian Cut
If there’s one thing the Italian style stands out for, it’s the extra slim, sleek silhouette with low padded, unstructured shoulders and high gorge lines, making this suit an exceptional cut. Made from light materials, this suit features sculpted shoulders and body. Most traditional Italian cuts do not have a vent and have two buttons for a seemingly elongated torso.
Lapel Styles
A mainstay on single breasted jackets, and arguably the most common lapel, the notch lapel is defined by a visible indent at the point where the collar meets the lapel.
The peak lapel is a stylish upgrade to the notch lapel has its top edges facing upwards at sharp angles immediately below the collar and is most commonly found on double breasted suits, thereby a frequent player at formal events. While not as extravagant as the shawl collar, this lapel emanates sophistication and high- end style.
The shawl lapel has a smooth uninterrupted lining and is more or less exclusively found on formal wear like tuxedos and fancy dinner jackets. The aesthetic is a timeless sense of class and distinction.
Lapels depend on the proportion of width of the lapel to the shoulder size. The wider the shoulder, the wider the lapel should be.
