The pinstripe suit used to be all about power. It’s time to reclaim it (2024)

Nigel Farage, who is now threatening to make an eighth bid to become an MP, was pictured this week in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, in his usual pinstripe suit. And he’s not the only one – the stripe is making a fashion comeback, but with a twist this time. Traditionally a sartorial by-word for power, the pinstripe has its origins in the banking world, worn as a way of distinguishing workers at different Victorian banks based on the distance between the thin white lines on their suits.

“The pinstripe is a very smart look, one really appropriate for business,” says Peter Smith, of the Savile Row tailors Richard Anderson. So, in wearing it, Farage is attempting to say that he means business.

But, as with so many other things, Farage is very much out of step. In recent years, the pinstripe has been reclaimed from stuffy devotees such as Jacob Rees-Mogg, Gordon Gekko-style financiers and dictators such as Kim Jong-un. “Pinstripe is the fabric that refuses to die,” says Charlie Baker-Collingwood, founder of Henry Herbert tailors. “We used to sell lots of pinstripe in the 80s, then the demand went down in the following decades, but now we’re back to selling it again. The cloth has reinvented itself since then, though. People shouldn’t be afraid of its business or even rightwing connotations – you can even pair it with trainers. It’s a conspicuous fabric, so make sure you don’t over accessorise, and let the design work for you. If all else fails, look to David Beckham. He always wears a pinstripe very well.”

In addition to the former footballer, recent converts include the actor, writer, musician, activist and general cultural polymath Donald Glover, who was sporting a slick Gucci rendition at the Emmys. The fighter Conor McGregor had a custom pinstripe made for his match against Floyd Mayweather, with the stripes spelling out “f*ck you” in a very tailored provocation of his opponent.

For politicians, the wearing of a pinstripe is a deliberate separation from the “centrist blue suit” – the navy blue cut so beloved by politicians such as Barack Obama and David Cameron in seemingly simpler, pre-Brexit, pre-Trump times. Pinstripe, in contrast, is an attempt to hark back to an age of haughtiness and tradition. Yet, as Baker-Collingwood says, this is fruitless. “The pinstripe used to be about greed, but you can carry it differently now – and you should. The old assumption that it is a banker’s suit has changed – even pop stars are wearing it now. The pinstripe has reinvented itself.”

The pinstripe suit used to be all about power. It’s time to reclaim it (2024)

FAQs

What is the significance of the pinstripe suit? ›

Bankers and other workers in the financial industry would wear pinstripe suits. The colors of the vertical stripes in their suits represented the banking houses for which they worked. Over time, pinstripes suits made their way into other industries. You can now find workers in all types of industries wearing them.

What does a pinstripe suit say about you? ›

Wearing a pinstripe suit will therefore encourage people to make certain assumptions about you - that you're rich (or aspire to be), career-driven and quite probably from a posh background. Definitely a good choice if you want to look the part as you plot your way up the corporate ladder.

What does the pinstripe symbolize? ›

From businessmen to Hollywood icons, the pinstripe suit was a symbol of power and sophistication. Famous people who have worn it include Winston Churchill, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, and Leonardo DiCaprio (in “The Wolf of Wall Street”) .

Is a pinstripe suit outdated? ›

Thanks to the pinstripes' association with the flocks of bankers that swarmed The Mile or Wall Street from the 1980s onwards, it would appear that most modern men avoid the stripes all together due to such negative associations. This said, however, the rebirth of the pinstripe suit is well and truly set in motion.

What does a suit symbolize? ›

Wearing a suit signifies that you are taking the other person more seriously and are striving to stand up to their expectations. A suit portrays power, respect, discipline and sophistication.

What is the purpose of pinstripes? ›

The goal of pin striping is to enhance the curves of the surface, and the lines are generally of a complementary color. In any other form of decorative pin stripes, the goal is the same. In addition and coincidentally, it can help to hide flaws in the surface such as a scratch or blemish.

Who is famous for pinstripe suits? ›

Naturally then it was popular not only with film stars and jazz musicians, but also with gangsters, the most famous of which of course was Al Capone. After Prohibition the suit became even more mainstream when huge stars such as Clark Gable and Cary Grant continued to popularise it.

What does your suit say about you? ›

The fit and style of your suit can further communicate your personality traits: Tailored Fit: A well-tailored suit indicates attention to detail, precision, and a polished nature. It suggests a personality that values sophistication and professionalism.

Who should wear a pinstripe suit? ›

For the same reasons as the races, weddings and business events, pinstripes work for almost any type of formal event. They're understated, professional (if you need them to be) and look smart for any occasion. Go for smaller, closer pinstripes or subtler patterns if you want to look formal but a little more low key.

Who wore pinstripes first? ›

The Chicago Cubs' baseball uniforms have had pinstripes since 1907 and they are recognized as the first Major League Baseball team to incorporate pinstriping into a baseball uniform Many other former and current Major League Baseball teams—including the Florida Marlins, Minnesota Twins, Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies ...

What is the code in pinstripe? ›

The code on the bottle says 4, a scratched out number, and 3. On the clue Miss Birdy gave you, it says 10 tablets. So the code is 4, 10, 3.

What does it mean to be a pinstripe person? ›

adjective. (of a fabric or garment) having a pattern of pin stripes. Informal. having or conveying the attitudes, policies, etc., often associated with persons who typically wear such garments in their work, as bankers or lawyers: a pinstriped mind.

What does a pinstripe suit mean? ›

Traditionally a sartorial by-word for power, the pinstripe has its origins in the banking world, worn as a way of distinguishing workers at different Victorian banks based on the distance between the thin white lines on their suits.

Are pinstripes in style in 2024? ›

Pinstripe, once synonymous with conservative men's suits, is now making a bold and confident comeback in the world of women's fashion for the year 2024. This classic pattern, characterized by its thin, elongated stripes, is adding a touch of sophistication and elegance to women's wear.

Who wears pinstripes? ›

Although the Cubs wore pinstripes first, the Yankees are the team largely credited with making the pattern famous in MLB, and both teams continue to wear pinstripes today simply due to tradition.

Why did mobsters wear pinstripe suits? ›

The suit became the unofficial uniform of the Prohibition era, beloved of the ultra-stylish and anoyone who wanted to stand out from the crowd and make a bold statement. Naturally then it was popular not only with film stars and jazz musicians, but also with gangsters, the most famous of which of course was Al Capone.

What is the meaning of pinstripe clothing? ›

pinstripe. noun. pin·​stripe ˈpin-ˌstrīp. : a very thin stripe on a fabric. also : a suit with such stripes.

What is the meaning of the pinstripe blazer? ›

As such, a good pinstripe suit hints at its wearer's power and unshakable self-assurance.

What does stripes on a suit mean? ›

Striped suits are a timeless, essential part of power dressing. Those who wear them exude poise, confidence, and a certain level of refinement seldom found elsewhere.

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