For my high school graduation in 1986(I think), a classmate chose to wear a lavender-colored suit. He looked good, but that was about the last time I’ve personally seen someone wear a bright suit. Will fashion ever move back that way? Black/brown/navy suits are just boring, and only Boss Hogg could really pull off the all-white suit.
I sincerely hope not, but anything is possible.
I doubt it. Colorful men’s suits mean that men need to care about fashion, and enough don’t that I expect it to be unpopular.
I still have hope for eventual penetration of US culture by the sub-Saharan African sapeur and/or South Asian sherwani traditions, but probably won’t happen in my lifetime.
Those are pretty stylish. I now share your hope.
For a while (starting circa 2010, inspired by “Mad Men”), lighter blue suits were somewhat popular in my area. I still see them occasionally. E.g.:
Colorful or patterned suits are fairly common here in Kentucky, between the Derby and Keeneland. You don’t see them as standard work uniforms very often, but most guys who wear suits a lot have one in the repertoire.
I have a green three-piece that I think bridges the gap pretty well. I’m due for a visit to my suit guy, and the plan is to get something dull (but not that dull) and something more fun.
Visit a Black church on Sunday morning or a family restaurant near a Black church after services! You’ll see lots of very vibrant and colorful men’s suits. Likewise, visit a tailor or menswear store that caters to Black men and you’ll see lots of really cool and colorful stuff.
Outside the US, take a look at men’s fashion in various African countries. Brightly colored suits are often popular there as well. Google Congo Dandies for examples!
Think Herb Tarlek?
Check out Steve Harvey’s suits on Family Feud—you’ll see all colors in the suits he wears.
Clearly I need to expand my circle of acquaintances and TV.
Indeed; sometimes, he’s in traditional, conservative colors, but other times:
What a cool photo gallery.
Anybody know what all those tools are in front of Edwige Mbourangon’s shop? At first glance they looked like giant novelty push pins which is - of course - absolutely inaccurate.
One of our local TV news guys wears a purple plaid suit every once in a while. I guess you’re more likely to see things like that on TV, where you want the colors to pop, than out in public where people would just point and laugh.
It’s often the sports anchors, or maybe the weather persons, who seem to be more likely to wear funkier suits on air; most TV stations seem to want the “hard news” anchormen to be more conservative.
Yeah, this guy’s weather. You’re right, sports and weather do tend to dress more loudly.
I guess they’re seen as being “wackier” than the regular anchors.
Exactly – especially the sports reporters.
I’ve seen a few around, but not many. Why not be the first? Yes, some will laugh. Others will say “if he can do it, I can do it.”
Seriously. In high school a friend of mine got a messed up perm and didn’t have time to do anything about it so she threw a bandana on her head for the day. She got some odd looks, but I backed her up a week later by using perm rollers to kink up my hair, then I used a different style of scarf, wore big hoop earrings and tucked my pants into my riding boots. And, boom, a trend appeared at my high school. Other girls started dressing similarly “oddly” and then my outlaw group started doing dress up days on Friday and suddenly, everyone started dressing up. This was in the late 70s when jeans and oxford shirts or polos were practically uniforms. It was like everyone else needed permission to show some flair with their clothing. Our dressing differently showed that flair.
Also, when I first went to work as a consultant, my mentor/boss told me to go out and spend money on suits because consultants should always dress slightly better than the local employees. That was sage advice. I often had people sidling up to me asking “Where’d you get that suit?” and “Wow, I love your daring colors.” because I refused to wear a complete suit, but would mix and match and wear cheap with expensive. It boosted my confidence, and it boosted theirs to know it could be done.
Hmm. I suppose the next logical step is to find an occasion to wear said suit once I have it. I once shaved my head to find out what it felt like to be bald, so this should be easy.