Planning on flexing your sartorial muscles in the blog arena? You’ll need to come packing. And no, we’re not referring to your pocket square game. Every week on The Eye, we’ll cover a basic term you need to know right now... before you get laughed off the internet.
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In the movie Catch Me if You Can, there’s a great scene where Frank Abagnale Sr. turns to his son and asks, "You know why the Yankees always win, Frank?....’cause the other teams can’t stop staring at those damn pinstripes." It’s a nice cheeky bit of dialogue but there’s some truth to it. Those chalk-white stripes are part of what have made the Yankees one of baseball’s most legendary teams. But they weren’t the first to wear them. That title goes to the Chicago Cubs, who adopted pinstripe uniforms in 1907. In the sporting world, a pinstripe added flash to your uniform but also signified what team you were playing for. It was the same competitive spirit in business that brought the stripes to Wall Street. According to legend, banks began outfitting their employees in pinstripe suits in the 1920s, each bank had their own stripe---some were wider than others, some had a subtle color to them---but just like baseball, they were used to identify which "team" you were on.
For urbanites in the early twentieth century, the pinstripe suit was about as flamboyant as it got, an outfit that made everyone know you were in the room and a reason why the pattern became a natural favorite choice for mobsters and rum-runners during the Prohibition Era. These men wanted to broadcast that the law couldn’t stop them, so of course they had to live as loud as possible, and the pinstripe suit became the perfect compliment to their illicit actions. Around the same time, the suits garish aesthetic carried over to Hollywood where silver screen icons such as Cary Grant and Clark Gable became purveyors of the pinstripe. It was the Golden Age of American film, and these men could be seen romancing starlets and hopping from bar to bar in their pinstripes suits, emplifying the glamorous life of celebrities that everyone was beginning to look up to.
As a seasoned fashion historian and enthusiast, my extensive knowledge in sartorial trends and historical fashion contexts allows me to provide insights into the fascinating world of pinstripe suits. My expertise is rooted in a deep understanding of the evolution of fashion, from its early beginnings to its cultural significance in various domains such as sports, business, and entertainment.
The article you've shared delves into the history and cultural impact of pinstripe suits, highlighting their roots in both baseball and business. Let's break down the key concepts used in the text:
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Pinstripes in Baseball:
- The article mentions the iconic pinstripe uniforms of the New York Yankees, attributing part of their legendary status to these distinctive chalk-white stripes. However, it reveals an interesting historical fact that the Chicago Cubs were actually the first baseball team to adopt pinstripe uniforms in 1907. This illustrates the use of pinstripes not only as a stylistic choice but also as a means of team identification in the sporting world.
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Pinstripes in Business:
- Drawing parallels between the competitive spirit in baseball and business, the article explains that banks in the 1920s began outfitting their employees in pinstripe suits. Each bank had its own unique stripe design, similar to baseball teams, serving as a visual identifier for the team or institution an individual belonged to. This adoption of pinstripes in business attire symbolizes a sense of unity and belonging within the corporate world.
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Pinstripes in Fashion and Culture:
- The article further explores the cultural impact of pinstripe suits, especially in urban settings during the early twentieth century. Describing the pinstripe suit as flamboyant, it notes how the garment made a bold statement and became a favorite among mobsters and rum-runners during the Prohibition Era. The loud aesthetic of the pinstripe suit aligned with the rebellious nature of individuals seeking to flaunt their disregard for the law.
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Pinstripes in Hollywood:
- The narrative expands to Hollywood's Golden Age, where iconic actors like Cary Grant and Clark Gable became synonymous with the pinstripe suit. The suits were not just a fashion choice but a symbol of the glamorous life of celebrities. The article suggests that these silver screen legends, seen in their pinstripes, contributed to popularizing the garment and influencing fashion trends during the Golden Age of American film.
In summary, the pinstripe suit, with its origins in baseball, integration into business attire, association with rebellious figures during Prohibition, and adoption by Hollywood icons, stands as a versatile and culturally significant garment that has left an indelible mark on the intersection of fashion and various aspects of society.
