Dress Shirts Make The Suit
It is often said that the suit makes the man, but what few people realize is that it is the dress shirt which make the suit. Like the background of...
It is often said that the suit makes the man, but what few people realize is that it is the dress shirt which make the suit. Like the background of a painting, it is often the complementary pieces which make way for the showpiece to shine. Such is the case with one of the most important staples of modern fashion, the men’s designer suit.
The Ever Evolving Garment
Since the early part of the twentieth century, the business suit has been on a constant evolution. It has proven itself time and time again to be the single most important piece in any man’s closet, but has also remained modern in its various adaptations. Seemingly decade by decade, the suit is re-invented and repurposed as each generation of men interprets a timeless classic.
And for each reincarnation of the suit, dress shirts have followed right alongside. From the elaborate, hand-stitched design of the twenties to the wide lapels of the nineteen seventies, and all the way to today’s modern cuts, the evolution of the dress shirt has been intricately tied to that of the business suit. To tell the story of one without the other is to tell the story of salt without pepper, or burgers without fries.
Modern Day Suits
In today’s world, standards have once again shifted. This time around, consumers are demanding personalized quality like never before. The focus on contouring dress shirts to complement each individual’s body has never been stronger, and consumers have begun to demand not only style and quality, but also functionality so that their clothing can stand up to the rigours of daily life. For this reason, the movement away from cookie cutter department store brands has been strong over the course of the past several years. In fact, demand for slightly higher price point shirts which look better, move better, and outlast their bargain bin competitors has never been stronger.
Brands such as Miami’s Stone Rose have begun to carve out a sizable chunk of the menswear market simply by offering what these discerning customers are asking for; a higher quality product at a price point that makes sense. Their designs, cut from the finest fabrics from around the globe, offer a premium quality dress shirt that highlights the shoulders and arms while offering a slimmer appearance through the waistline, giving a more masculine profile to its wearer.
This type of emphasis on detail, along with the refusal to settle for lower quality in the name of saving a few bucks, has led to the next stage in the evolution of menswear, and just always, the dress shirt be right there alongside the all-time classics.
