Never thought of yourself as the suit type, did you? Not for you the predictability of pinstripes, the constraints of a starched collar, the dreary conformity of worsted wool. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider the matter.
Plenty of free-styling musicians already have. Flip on MTV or VH-1 and you’re likely to see the dreadlocked singer Maxwell in a Paul Smith suit. You’ll notice that Beck has traded in his geeky shirts for suits. Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots, along with techno types like Prodigy, also have opted to suit up for their videos.
These artists, along with the three Chicagoans pictured on these pages, prove that even a guy with an alternative soul can express himself in a suit. In fact, the utter neutrality of a suit puts individuality in relief. For suits with an extra edge this season, look for slimmer jackets that stay close to the body, a fuller-cut leg (usually on a flat-front or single-pleated trouser) and perhaps a hint of shine in the fabric.
It’s starting to look like a suit season, isn’t it? Guess that leaves only one thing to say: Suit up.
