Swag Alert: The Power of the Slim Cut Suit

Inspired by my recent viewing of The Social Network (Holla Eduardo and yo fine fine self), I find it to be an appropriate time to articulate my theories on the slim cut suit.

At times erroneously dismissed as "European" by members of the mainstream male population, the silhouette of a slim cut suit more than makes up for in swag what it lacks in fabric volume. Now, I'm not talking skin tight. And I am most certainly not talking about pompous quaffing and flashy expensive hooplah. We shall leave that to the fools who believe that arrogance in dress is at all relevant or attractive.

Let us now return to the issue at hand: the inherent swag of a wonderfully understated slim cut blazer and pant. It is inspiring to see that while women have been dressing to fit their bodies for years (with only a few trip ups along the way--> see: hoop skirts, mom jeans, etc.), now straight men are finally realizing that it is okay wear clothing that accepts a live human form underneath. Fancy that!

I'd venture to say the male torso is somewhat of an ellipsoid. A freely moving ellipsoid with appendages that function to feed, dress, and groom the male. Whatever the case, this torso is not a rectangle, so why cloth it in conventional "generous" suiting that is shaped as such? Seems a little deceptive if you ask me. And we mustn't be deceptive now.

This all understood, I do realize that the slim cut suit may be frightening to newbies. Here are my points of advice on proper execution:

1. Start with a darker, non-patterned suit. All sorts of bad things can happen when an unruly plaid or paisley is introduced to the situation. When one is more comfortable, one can venture into slim stripes in lightweight, casual textiles.

2. For more casual environments, a strategic unbuttoning of TWO topmost buttons on the shirt underneath is permitted. No more or you will, without fail, be perceived as a damn fool.
While I'm at it, it goes without saying that a shirt must be worn underneath. Eek. The folly of some lost lambs!

3. Tightness quotient: purchase a pant that follows the lines of the backside and legs, NOT one that grips them for dear life. Alternately, there should also be no excess fabric saggage chilling on the back of the upper thigh region of the suit pant. The pant (and the blazer similarly) should NOT be able to comfortably house a Christmas ham or woodland creature.

4. Shoe choice is crucial here. Let's walk away from the clunky. And away from the square toe as well. Let us don a nice slim oxford. Let us give thanks.


Follow these and swag will follow shortly thereafter. Predictable little bugger.