2011 Trends in Men’s Suit

Can men’s clothing really be thought of as trend setting? And does a “classic suit” or tuxedo, date the same way that women’s fashion do?

The answer is, it depends on who’s wearing it and their approach towards fashion, the occasion and last but not least the destination.

Almost everyone knows a male figure who at some moment in time, for a particular occasion, will step boldly in the direction of their closet and reach into the back of it, to retrieve the garment hidden under a dry cleaning bag, the ritual that follows is a quick shake of the hanger, as though to bring life back to what they are about to reveal as the “classic suit” or “tuxedo” that they proudly announce, as one they purchased “five or more years ago.

But, classic doesn’t mean that it’s the right look for today’s male fashion.

For example, in 1977 John Travolta introduced a new fashion trend by wearing a white suit, red satin shirt and platform shoes. Suddenly men wanted to copy the style and wear it as though they owned it, some doing so way past the date that the fashion trend was retired, which still had heads turning only with comments like “look at that dude, staying alive.”

Then in 1984 when the popular television show “Miami Vice” first aired, Don Johnson aka, “Sonny” Crocket, and Philip Michael Thomas aka “Rico” Tubbs, set a new trend by doing away with the casual or formal dress shirt, and trading it in for light weight crew neck t-shirts and expensive linen suits. Only wrinkly looks became an addition to fashion trend by revelation, that cheap linen suits don’t hold up as well.

In the 1990, the classic nothing to do with Travolta, or Miami Vice, double breasted suit, became a huge “No” in men’s fashion. As the single breasted suit’s offered a turn in men’s fashion.

2010 the double breasted suit resurfaced again, only it was more European in cut and style, slim, modern and tailored.

Whilst the “classic suit” remains classic it does so by update in cut and style which means that the classic five year old suit ages when the designers add words like, modern, slim, sleek and light weight, to their fashion designs.

But 2011 revamps the single breasted suit which has not left the fashion scene, with a sleek cut which is the “New Classic” whereby creating a masculine silhouette that emphasis the word “modern.” Trousers are slim and jackets are designed to compliment the male physique, by broadening shoulders and giving the appearance of a trim waist.

Fabrics consist of wool, a traditional classic for suits, linen and cotton which are both light weight, and although prone to creases, still remain top choices for destination and summer time suits.

Velvet, yes” velvet” is the latest in suit material, with blue velvet being a huge trend setter for 2011.

For men looking to rent a suit or tuxedo the trend of 2011 seems to lean towards comfort, cut, color, designer and overall style. Lower prices in suit rentals are more commonly shunned as styles look more aged and geared towards older age groups.

Popular looks for destination suits are light weight, and sand and taupe colored suits are a big hit especially for beach weddings.

White suits are back in, but on a more formal level, where colored accessories add additional panache to the overall look.

Designers like “Fubu” and “Ralph Lauren” seem to dominate the early part of 2011 wedding season, when it comes to stylish looks most reserved for rentals.

Wedding colors seem to be more about colored accessories verses style of suit when women are doing the selecting, but men are definitely looking for stylish looks that are more trendy and stay far away from what is considered to be a more traditional looking suit.