Suit

A suit, also called a lounge suit, business suit, dress suit, or formal suit, is a set of clothes comprising a <a href="/facts/Suit_jacket/z57SNIzs">suit jacket</a> and trousers of identical <a href="/facts/Textile/PJrVeM5S">textiles</a> generally worn with a collared <a href="/facts/Dress_shirt/RAhGCRPs">dress shirt</a>, <a href="/facts/Necktie/Bd6Anohj">necktie</a>, and <a href="/facts/Dress_shoes/c06fxL83">dress shoes</a>. A skirt suit is similar, but with a matching <a href="/facts/Skirt/uRuFnVPT">skirt</a> instead of trousers. It is currently considered <a href="/facts/Semi-formal_wear/qExxwHj3">semi-formal wear</a> or business wear in contemporary <a href="/facts/Western_dress_codes/GEB4Lj4r">Western dress codes</a>; however, when the suit was originally developed it was considered an informal or more casual option compared to the prevailing clothing standards of aristocrats and businessmen. The lounge suit originated in 19th-century Britain as <a href="/facts/Sportswear_(fashion)/ub44esMS">sportswear</a> and <a href="/facts/British_country_clothing/Er6DH5Le">British country clothing</a>, which is why it was seen as more casual than citywear at that time, with the roots of the suit coming from early modern Western Europe formal court or military clothes. After replacing the black <a href="/facts/Frock_coat/Mk29HDpv">frock coat</a> in the early 20th century as regular daywear, a sober one-coloured suit became known as a lounge suit.
Suits are offered in different designs and constructions. Cut and cloth, whether two- or three-piece, single- or double-breasted, vary, in addition to various <a href="/facts/Fashion_accessory/NCnPc9WG">accessories</a>. A two-piece suit has a jacket and trousers; a three-piece suit adds a waistcoat. Hats were almost always worn outdoors (and sometimes indoors) with all men's clothes until the <a href="/facts/Counterculture_of_the_1960s/BjyVc83W">counterculture of the 1960s</a> in <a href="/facts/Western_culture/rPbgAhzI">Western culture</a>. Informal suits have been traditionally worn with a <a href="/facts/Fedora/Rvpk6Vkt">fedora</a>, a <a href="/facts/Trilby/C6oDzof9">trilby</a>, or a <a href="/facts/Flat_cap/gmayjbEG">flat cap</a>. Other accessories include handkerchief, <a href="/facts/Suspenders/41Hlv7SE">suspenders</a> or belt, watch, and jewelry.
Other notable types of suits are for what would now be considered <a href="/facts/Formal_wear/LFjH7AC5">formal</a> occasions—the tuxedo or <a href="/facts/Dinner_suit/cAyVdft8">dinner suit</a> (black tie) and the <a href="/facts/Black_lounge_suit/c1KB3YLl">black lounge suit</a> (stroller)—both which originally arose as less formal alternatives for the prior <a href="/facts/Formal_wear/LFjH7AC5">formal wear</a> standards known as <a href="/facts/White_tie/uYgnsgbV">white tie</a>, which incorporated items such as the <a href="/facts/Dress_coat/hJrWrRXF">dress coat</a>, and of <a href="/facts/Morning_dress/AMvsYktC">morning dress</a>, which incorporated items such as the <a href="/facts/Morning_coat/hJrWrRXF">morning coat</a> with <a href="/facts/Formal_trousers/IGgvEY9X">formal trousers</a>.
Originally, suits were always tailor-made from the client's selected cloth. These are now known as bespoke suits, custom-made to measurements, taste, and style preferences. Since the 1960s, most suits have been mass-produced <a href="/facts/Ready-to-wear/mxssoqC2">ready-to-wear</a> garments. Currently, suits are offered in roughly four ways:

<ul><li><a href="/facts/Bespoke_tailoring/SnV9BmEe">bespoke</a>, in which the garment is custom-made by a tailor from a pattern created entirely from the customer's measurements, giving the best fit and free choice of fabric;</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Made_to_measure/3BPu9mFs">made to measure</a>, in which a pre-made pattern is modified to fit the customer, and a limited selection of options and fabrics is available;</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Ready-to-wear/mxssoqC2">ready-to-wear</a>, off-the-peg (<a href="/facts/Commonwealth_English/FfHnv1CT">Commonwealth English</a>), or off-the-rack (<a href="/facts/American_English/sdAfgPgM">American English</a>), sold ready-made, although minor tailor alterations are possible;</li>
<li>suit separates, where <a href="/facts/Lounge_jacket/z57SNIzs">lounge jacket</a> and trousers are sold separately in order to minimize alterations needed, including also odd-colored <a href="/facts/Blazer/aDYUXVEh">blazers</a> or <a href="/facts/Sports_coat/Xz6bmmkX">sports coats</a> as <a href="/facts/Smart_casual/kEvlaRN3">smart casual</a> options</li></ul>

Suit open-in-new

Suit