The cultural changes after World War II were very vast. Radical transformation was made due to the after affects of the war. Men’s fashion of that age was called as age of jazz, because people got used to taking things on edge. Three-piece suit was the daily formal attire of upper class men. However, the new generation seemed to be interested in getting a bit casual in their dressing and the trend of hip-hop or baggy six pocketed wide-legged trousers. The suits also changed in the course of time. They got a lot simpler, pads were removed and lapels got slimmer. The fabric and colors of suits also got thinner and lighter. These changes were truly dynamic and the look of men was totally changed.
For the office or daily business wear, most of the men in all age groups wore suits or jackets. Previously, men’s suits were broad shouldered and padded, but later it converted into a cut that gives men a slim and boyish look. Tight and slim fitted jackets with sloping shoulders were then popular. The extreme formality of ties became casual. In fact, men took the liberty to bring revolution in their clothing which their elders would surly condemn if they were alive. Bow ties also become fashionable with men wearing them in red color. Knit ties also continued their popularity, but they were not in silk that had been so frequent. The knit tie performed well for all looks including both the college look and the casual clothing.
In 1950s and 60s when the revolution in clothing begin, the sports was also one of the main influences. Most of the designer clothing was inspired by the popular athletes. Baggy pants with six or eight pockets, casual custom dress shirts with stylish attributes were used by famous golf and polo players. Plus trousers are classified by how far the trousers reduced below the knee before being properly secured around the leg position. As tennis got popular, the white-colored trousers and button down dress shirts worn by players clearly depicts what the men wore. The sports influence was not exclusive to golf or tennis but to all kinds of popular athletes of different sports.
As mens trousers grew longer and wider, a new revolutionary change appeared that was the front crease on pant. Focusing on individuals overall shape, the crease developed a more impressive silhouette and more awesome look on the whole. Trousers were given cuffs that further sharpened the look and draw more attention to the footwear. Instead of suspenders, slim belts started getting popular for pants, making a start of new era of fashion and style. Besides pants, dress shirts also saw a great change. In past, dress shirts used to be baggy with dropped shoulders and long sleeves but tight cuffs to make sleeves look like balloon right before cuffs. With pants worn on belly buttons or before. However, the shirts started to change after 1960s. Now men were going for a much sophisticated and slim fit shirts that would accentuate their bodies.
Formal Wear
Casual men’s wear and womens clothing saw its dawn in 1960s but formal wear continued its trend until past a decade. Mens formal wear never changed and always had the same rules of only black in evening with tailcoat or tuxedo. A starched white tuxedo custom dress shirt with wing collar and bowtie was the evening formal wear. While for office formal wear, three-piece suits with Windsor knots, traditional collar dress shirts and hats were commonly used. Until past a decade when the formal dressing finally took a leap of faith and became quite trendy with slim cut and fitted suits, skinny ties and fitted pants with pointed shinny shoes. Dress shirts has become purely custom, with spread or cut away collars, French cuffs and athletic fit silhouette.