While I’m not sure when the suit will return, if ever, as a fashion thing, one of the lovely gentleman who works at Raeburn was wearing this on their stand at the recent Pitti Uomo. The penny dropped and I thought, this is how you wear a suit today.
Made out of a sort of shell material, it is easy care and looks modern and contemporary. Called the ‘Parasuit’ and crafted in the Raeburn Lab in East London using original dyed parachute material, it is reworked to achieve a textured and lightweight crinkle finish. This item is one of 50, and individually numbered and is the nearest thing to sportswear you're gonna find in a tailored shape. Great for travel too.
Left & Below Raeburn - Parasuit Jacket - £350, Parasuit Trousers - £250
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They say the suit is on its way back, but the most important thing for tailoring brands to do is simply is give us suits that we want to wear. It sounds simple, but, if it's good, we'll wear it. I designed this suit with The Drop see more here
Based on something I already had in my wardrobe by Tom Ford, I had it remade in brown with a pink lining. The new trends coming out of the recent shows were for longer jackets in a double-breasted shape, see more here Whatever you do, just make sure the jacket covers your arse!
Lucky, it coordinates with the coloured elastic on my new Chelsea boots. Now, where's that party?
Credits - Suit - The Drop, Silk Shirt - Pretty Green, Boots - Base London
Summer isn't all shorts and sandals, it can also be a time for formal occasions and those days when you just feel like making an effort. Putting on a suit, after a break, can be, almost, liberating. It's that old feeling of a uniform that runs throughout British menswear and that comfort in feeling 'dressed'.
A checked suit adds more interest, a waistcoat adds more formality and a black vinyl raincoat adds, well, it just ADDS! See more of the vinyl trend - here
Credits - Coat - ASOS, Suit - Remus Uomo, Shirt - Simon Carter, Shoes - Base London
A sartorial tour of the UK, Topman’s Suit Style By City series aims to show the most popular Topman suit styles and how they are wearing them, city by city across the country. It turns out London was matched to a trend for coloured suits.
Representing his hometown, London, TheChicGeek, knows there’s no place as stylish as home in this ultra-skinny green suit. The coolest city in the world, with a geek to match, where London leads the rest of the world follows.
Nothing says ‘London’ like a red phone box or two, especially with a flaming cactus print shirt to match. Team with matching green shoes for that extra attention to detail.
More images below
Hello The Geek! Where do I get a decent slim fit suit from? First I tried budget, so looked at Topman and the Limited Collection suits at M&S. I struggled to find much at Topman, even Oxford Circus, although they have a couple on their website, I am not buying a suit online though! M&S Limited Collection slim fit have great jackets, you can get a nice short fit, even if you are 6ft 2 like I am! The trousers are unlined rubbish though, I have 10 year old hankies with more thread in them!
Left - Paul Smith - 'A Suit To Travel In' - £730
So then onto French Connection/Banana Republic/Zara. Struggling. They all have decent straight/slim fit trousers but when they make a suit they seem to think we want what I would regard as flares! I have one style at FC called Benjamin End to look at, but need to go to Regent Street to do that, maybe this weekend!
Getting desperate I am now looking at Paul Smith/Burberry type of prices, so will soon be forming an orderly queue outside a tailors in Savile Row!
Any other ideas? I am fairly normal shape, 40" chest, 34" waist, 6ft 2" tall.
Cheers Steve
Hi Steve,
It can be a hit and miss out there when you're looking for something really specific. I, firstly, would suggest you look for a longer jacket as the shorter jacket styles can look a little out of proportion with your height.
Paul Smith is pushing its new 'A Suit To Travel In', made from high-twist 100% worsted wool. Wool is naturally breathable and wicking, which helps to regulate your body temperature, but the fabric also has incredible life and vitality that helps to keep the suit looking pristine. The men's suit is available in 3 fits: Slim, Soho and Mayfair.
The Geek
Louis Vuitton's men's collection for AW15 looked to the British designer and artist, Christoper Nemeth, for inspiration.
Nemeth considered making clothes as one of his artistic practices. Amongst his trademarks are deconstructed tailored suits and drawings/illustrations depicting thread, needle and hands - the making of clothes - which are also featured on clothing accessories, furniture and more.
Born in Birmingham, England, he moved to London in 1979 to study painting at Camberwell College of Arts. While he continued to paint after university, he also taught himself pattern cutting and sewing, making his own clothes out of discarded post bags and canvas from his paintings, which he then started to sell at Kensington Market.
In 1986, Nemeth moved his base to Tokyo, where the Christopher Nemeth store continues to be a permanent showcase and landmark of his work. He died in 2010.
Kim Jones has used Nemeth's Celtic-like knots as the bold signature of the new Louis Vuitton men's collection.
Credits - All AW15 Louis Vuitton
Shot by Robin Forster on #OlympusPEN
Marks & Spencer has asked TheChicGeek for his top tips when it comes to looking for and buying a new suit.
#TheChicGeekSays
1. Fit is the most important thing when buying a suit. Find items in your size first, then decide on the style and material. Pay particular attention to the shoulders, cuffs and hems of the trousers.
2. Jacket sleeves should stop at the base of the thumb and trousers should gently break on the shoe.
3. The length of the jacket should be in proportion to your height. If you are taller, then opt for a longer jacket.
4. Never button up the bottom button of the jacket (if more than a one button). This is traditional suit etiquette.
5. Buy a second pair of trousers as these will wear faster then the jacket.
6. A well fitted suit will give you better posture and more confidence.
7. Steam your suit, rather than iron, to stop it going shiny.
Credits - All Marks & Spencer - Suit - Limited, Knitted Polo - Autograph, Socks - M&S, Monk Strap Shoes - Best of British