From Kings to Closers: A Surprisingly Fun History of the Suit

At TruTailor Custom Suits Co., we create more than just clothing—we tailor confidence, legacy, and style that speaks before you say a word. But how did the suit become the timeless symbol of sophistication and power?

Let’s rewind through centuries of kings, rebels, movie stars, and moguls. The story of the modern suit is a tale of transformation, rebellion, status, and swagger—and yes, custom suits are the final evolution.

Royal Roots: Suits Were Born in the Courtroom of Kings

Let’s start with King Charles II of England, who in 1666, after returning from exile in France, decided to “clean up” the fashion of the English court. He issued a royal decree requiring noblemen to wear:

• A long coat,

• A waistcoat (basically a vest),

• A cravat (neckcloth),

• Breeches (knee-length pants),

• And a hat.

This ensemble may sound a little extra today, but it was revolutionary back then. Charles wanted to tone down the overly lavish and flamboyant French court styles and introduce more refined, structured, and uniform silhouettes. His vision laid the foundation for what we now know as the suit.

Suit Fact:

The waistcoat became so popular it spread like wildfire through Europe, with tailoring guilds popping up to cater to aristocrats. Wearing matching garments with tailored cuts was seen as a marker of nobility and authority.

The Dandy Revolution: Rebellion in a Tailored Jacket

Now let’s jump to the late 1700s and early 1800s. Enter Beau Brummell, the original fashion icon and the man many credit with inventing the modern suit.

Beau was a close friend of the Prince Regent (future King George IV) and quickly became a tastemaker. He rejected the wigs, lace, perfume-drenched coats, and flashy embroidery of the day in favor of:

• Crisp white shirts,

• Tailored dark wool jackets,

• Fitted trousers,

• Clean-shaven faces,

• And polished leather boots.

He believed elegance came from fit, fabric, and cleanliness—not flamboyance. Brummell practically invented the idea that dressing well is about minimalism with precision.

Fun Fact:

Beau Brummell took up to five hours to get dressed each morning, had his boots polished with champagne, and was considered a national celebrity simply for being stylish.

Sound like the original influencer? Because he was.

The Industrial Revolution: When Suits Clocked in for Work

The 19th century brought more than steam engines—it introduced the working-class gentleman. With the rise of office jobs, railways, and business empires, men needed something that was practical, professional, and presentable.

Enter the lounge suit, designed for comfort yet respectable enough for daily business. This version featured:

• Shorter, more relaxed jackets,

• Matching trousers and waistcoat,

• And minimal decoration.

It was a working man’s alternative to the aristocratic tailcoats and frilly cravats of the elite. The lounge suit made its way from the English countryside into city life and across the Atlantic.

Style Shift:

Tailors on London’s famed Savile Row—including Gieves & Hawkes and Henry Poole—became the gold standard. Their clients included Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens, and even Napoleon III.

This was the dawn of bespoke tailoring—individual, hand-measured suits made just for you. That’s where TruTailor stands today: part of this centuries-old tradition, brought into the now.

The Power Suit & Hollywood Swagger: Suits on the Silver Screen

The 20th century made suits icons. During the 1920s to 1940s, the zoot suit emerged in jazz culture—oversized jackets, high-waisted pants, and flair. This was rebellion and confidence in technicolor.

By the 1950s and 60s, film stars like Cary Grant, Steve McQueen, and Sean Connery’s James Bond made slim-cut suits look dangerous and refined all at once.

Then came the 1980s—the power suit era. Picture Wall Street titans, TV anchors, and political giants in broad-shouldered, double-breasted suits. Style was synonymous with success.

Suit Legends in Pop Culture:

• Michael Douglas in Wall Street: “Greed is good” never looked so sharp.

• Robert De Niro in Casino: Silk suits, pastel colors, and gangster glam.

• Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street: A three-piece statement of confidence.

Today, we draw on all of these eras, but we tailor suits to your lifestyle, story, and purpose—whether you want clean and modern or vintage-inspired with a twist.

The Rise of Custom: Why Custom Suits Are the Final Evolution

We’ve gone from royal uniforms to ready-to-wear racks—but the custom suit is now making a powerful comeback.

Why? Because fit matters. Style matters. And you matter.

At TruTailor Custom Suits Co., we believe that a suit should be more than just clothing. It should be a reflection of who you are, where you’re going, and what you believe in.

Why People Are Choosing Custom Over Off-the-Rack:

• Fit Like No Other: We measure you by hand, not by guesswork. Your suit will flatter your frame.

• Pick Your Style: Want a peak lapel with bold piping? Done. Want your lining to match your wedding colors? Let’s go.

• Choose Your Fabric: Italian wool, Japanese cotton, English tweed, linen for summer, flannel for fall—we source globally, style locally.

• Longevity Over Quantity: Custom suits last longer, wear better, and feel like luxury every time you put them on.

TruTailor Bonus Tip:

You can even customize the tiniest details—from button thread color to monogrammed initials, to the angle of your pocket flaps. It’s not just a suit. It’s your suit.