There is a moment in an early episode of the now classic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air where Will, fresh from a dangerous Philadelphia neighbourhood enters his new elite prep school, chooses to rebel against the stuffy blue blazer-khaki uniform by inverting his jacket to reveal the bright red paisley lining. Though an extreme example, Will’s daring to buck the system, as it were, and use his suit to make a personal style statement is a lesson worth remembering. Rather than accept the traditional or accepted way of wearing a suit, we ought to use our sartorial senses to create a unique outfit that reflects our personalities. In other words, embrace your inner dandy!
Here are three ways you can use custom tailoring to turn an ordinary suit into an individualised style statement.
- Custom Lining
Hidden flair (Image courtesy of Alison Church Photography)
As mentioned in the above example, custom lining is a great way to add swag to your suit. Instead of staid and boring liners that are solely functional, take advantage of a custom liner to sport your team’s favourite colours or add a custom pattern, like a harlequin print, to make a bold yet subtle statement. It is important to remember that lining is not technically a component of the outfit, so a custom design does not need to be accounted for when pairing with a shirt or tie. Only when your jacket is unbuttoned might someone steal a glance at your lining; it’s for your own personal satisfaction, so be as bold as you dare.
- Accent Stitching
Accent stitching is a subtle and unique detail that announces that you’re a serious dresser. Normally stitching around the boutonniere hole on a lapel matches the stitching throughout the jacket, meaning it is dark or neutral. Have a tailor replace this bland functionality with a more noticeable color (one that might even match the custom lining of your jacket), and your jacket will make an immediate impression.
- Monogramming
Perhaps the most literal way to personalise your jacket, monogramming is the final step to having a truly one-of-a-kind item. Often compared to an artist signing his work, adding your name inside your jacket in an elegantly stitched fine script is a statement of ownership – not only of the jacket itself, of course, but of your command of style. Own your look, and let others know about it.
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