The Pinstripe
I’m a fan of classics, what can I say? I love a good pair of jeans, a perfect white shirt and cowboy boots. And while this is a classic, and an outfit welcome almost anywhere, sometimes you need to dress up a bit. And here’s where I’d like to start today: the pinstripe suit. I could never fully get behind a plain blue, black or grey suit. Call me eccentric but they’re a bit boring. I can accept simple, but I can’t accept drab. So when it’s time to put on something more subdued, I tend to stray towards the more flashy.
In my opinion, we lost the pinstripe somewhere. It became too…stuffy to be stylish for a time. Championed by many throughout the years, pinstripes are often associated with 80’s excess and business, perhaps because they’re the most exciting thing a real estate magnate could think of sartorially. But it’s time to retake the quiet cool of the pinstripe suit. Its real power lies in its versatility: it can be worn with anything anytime anywhere.
It’s funky enough to not be over-dressing if just paired the blazer with a chic pair of pants (maybe camo?) or even the full suit with a t-shirt and sneakers.
You can even go full “Wall Street” and wear it with a tie and French cuff, it’s a bit costume-esque but still very fun.
What I’ve been stressing with suiting is the fact that skinny isn’t necessarily good. A suit can be tailored while still being “roomy”. Suit pants can be wide legged, bootcut or relaxed straight fit.
Pinstripes aren’t just for your father or your friend from high school who day trades. Find a pinstriped suit that works for you. I mentioned wearing the blazer by itself, but if the suit is cut in a more modern way, the pants can have a life of their own as well! I’ve worn some wide legged pinstriped pants with a hoodie and cowboy boots and never felt cooler.
Long story long, don’t be afraid of pieces that might be considered subdued, embrace the repurpose of it all! Rewrite the story of a garment and make it current and new to you. The most exciting bits of styling, in my opinion, come from novel interpretations of standard wardrobe staples. Go out and try thrifting a great pinstripe suit, you’ll be shocked at how much fun you’ll have creating looks with it!