Threads of Rebellion: The Pinstripe Manifesto

Pinstripe History

The history of the pinstripe is mysterious. There are so many origin stories around, but no one is sure where the stripe actually came from. The first record found of the stripe was from the Medieval Era. In the 1400s, wearing stripes was dangerous. Back then, a striped article of clothing meant that you were an outcast. You were either a low-class citizen or possibly even a prostitute. It wasn't until the 1700s that things changed for the stripe. A vertically striped article of clothing at this time meant wealth and privilege. After the creation of the American Flag and the French Revolution, stripes went political. The nautical uniforms we are familiar with were also developed around this time.

In America, stripes on clothes were still not as popular as in France. In 1820, stripes were brought to America on prison uniforms. They made the prisoners wear these uniforms to degrade them and to make it easier to see them if they ever tried to escape. Luckily for us, stripes didn't keep a negative stigma. In the early 1900s, baseball teams started to put pinstripes on their uniforms! The first record of this was with the Chicago Cubs in 1907. Shortly after, our New York Yankees, with their iconic uniforms, still have the pinstripes included on them to this day! The fashion world was then taken by storm during the prohibition era. The Roaring Twenties are known for their fashion. The pinstripe suit became a staple in fashion history and has been loved dearly ever since.

Popular Influences

Throughout the decades, pinstripe suits have been silently taking over in the background. In the 1920s, the pinstripe suit represented Gangster Culture. That slowly faded in the 1950s and 1960s as Frank Sinatra turned the pinstripe suit into a Classical Cosmopolitan. In more modern times, pinstripe suits can be seen everywhere. From the early 2000s to now, pinstripes' popularity is at an all-time high. In hip-hop culture, people like Pharrell and Jay-Z gave us the perfect balance of Swag and Sophistication. But they're not the only ones! Big-time actors like George Clooney and Idris Elba show off their Hollywood Glamour in pinstripe suits, making them look even more dapper on the Red Carpet. Pinstripes even took over the sports world! David Beckham and Roger Federer show us Athletic Elegance in their pinstripes for events, making them look just as good off the field.

Where to Wear?

We get a lot of questions about suits here, and one of the more common questions is usually about when it is appropriate to wear a specific suit. Pinstripe suits are no different. The great thing about pinstripes is that they are versatile. You can wear them in both professional and semi-formal events. However, a pinstripe suit shouldn't be worn at casual events, outdoor settings, or informal gatherings.

Professional

• Business Meetings
• Corporate Offices
• Legal Environments
• Banking Environments

Semi-Formal

• Job Interviews
• Business Dinners
• Award Ceremonies
• Social Events
• Weddings
• Formal Receptions

Pros/Cons