Evolution Of Men's Fashion

From tailcoats to zoot suits to bell bottom pants and everything in between, here is a brief timeline of the last 100 plus years of men’s fashion.

Nivedita Giri

Times have changed and with everything else, the norms of men’s fashion have also evolved. From the age-old tailcoats to the modern-day custom dress shirts, the transformation has been incredibly fascinating. Through the times, men’s fashion wear has covered a wide spectrum of trends and facade because there has been a history to what men have been wearing.

1910-1919’s - The detachable collar era.

At the turn of the century, many began wearing the “middle-class men’s suit” that originated in England, as opposed to the more decadent knee-length frock coats and elaborate suits of the 1800s. In the early 19th century, men preferred to keep it easy and uncomplicated. Easy three piece suits, including the jacket, the trousers, and the vest (known as a waistcoat at the time), along with a lighter end to the fabric in shades of charcoal, black and navy, was high in fashion. This decade was known for its propriety and formality, with the additional burden of shoulder pads which is why the selection of clothing was more inclined on the lines of serious and elite sense of fashion originating out of the hands of the class hierarchy.

1920-1929’s - The Jazz age

The simple trend carried on to the ‘Jazz Age’ or the mid 20s with a new take on life, as postwar optimism was reflected in everything from clothing to music. The suits were simple, but lighter colours began replacing the black, charcoal, and navy of the previous decade. Shoulder pads disappeared, and men began wearing tighter-fit jackets with sloping shoulders. Bow ties became more casual as silks were replaced with a variety of knits.