A History of Men’s Suiting: How Suits Have Changed Between 1800 and Today

Suits are a staple in the typical menswear wardrobe. Timeless, versatile and sophisticated, the suit has long since been the outfit of choice for many of life’s most important events, from weddings to funerals and beyond, and has also cemented itself as a must-have for anyone working in a corporate environment.

It’s easy to take such a classic outfit for granted, but what are the origins of the suit? How has it changed throughout the years? Let’s explore the history of the suit.

The First Suit

Suits In The Victorian Era

By the start of the Victorian era, the frock coat became popular and was quickly established as standard daywear for men. Slightly later in the Victorian era, the morning coat, a shorter evolution of the frock coat, became acceptable. However, these items were technically not considered suits, as they were not worn with matching pants.

The modern suit’s direct ancestor, the lounge suit, was developed in Scotland in the 1850s. Made from heavy fabric, it was designed for outdoor wear and only worn for casual occasions. It combined matching pants, jacket, and waistcoat, providing an outline for all suits going forward.

Denny Tarango, lifestyle writer at Origin Writings and Brit Student, explains: “By the early 20th century, the suit was fully developed. From then on, only minor tweaks to the suit would be made to reflect changing fashions.”

Edwardian Suits

Suits were typically made out of heavy, dark material to combat lack of heating in homes and pollution in cities. However, in the countryside, suit styles often reflected more earthy, colorful tones.

Suits In The 1920s

At the start of the 20s, slim-fit suits were all the rage, but by the end of the decade, the tide had turned and slightly wider shoulders and trouser legs became popular. As you’d expect from the roaring 20s, colors and patterns were more vibrant. Extra pizazz was added with pocket squares or collar pins. Double-breasted waistcoats also became a firm fixture of the Jazz Age.

WWII & The Post-War Boom: Suits In The 30s, 40s, 50s, & 60s

By the 1930s, wide shoulders, waist suppression, and high-rise pants were on the menu. The focus was on a masculine silhouette, with heavy, draping fabrics employed to help achieve this look.

“The Second World War and the shortage that came with it meant that 1940s suits were tailored with minimalism in mind,” explains Jennifer Trowbridge, fashion blogger at Write my X and 1 Day 2 Write. Grey flannel was the fabric of choice, and suits were generally slim-cut with narrow lapels. Waistcoats lost popularity.

Post-war rebellion heavily influenced 1950s fashion, suits included. After austerity was over, suits became closer to their 1930s counterparts: wide lapels, pleated pants, and an overall more generous fit.

60s suits were very similar to this 50s style, but with nylon and other synthetic fabrics added to the mix.

70s, 80s, & 90s

Flared and tightly fitted with big lapels, suits in the 1970s were bright, flamboyant and expressive.

The 80s saw the rise of the power suit: pinstriped with shoulder pads and a powerful silhouette.

By the 90s, pants had become looser and jackets had up to six buttons. The overall vibe was more casual and laid back.

Modern Suits: 2000s And Beyond

The slim-fit suit returned with a vengeance in the early 2000s and is still popular today. However, jackets are typically shorter now than early in the 2000s.

Society is decidedly less formal than it once was, and suits are no longer a necessity for many people. However, suits have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, with bespoke tailors surging in popularity. Today, there is more scope than ever to experiment with a suit, incorporating colors, textures, and materials that may have been frowned upon in the past. Who knows where the suits of the 2020s will lead us?