The Basic Guy

These days, a man’s wardrobe is incomplete without a three-piece suit. It is said that the suit that we all know and love today started in the early 1800s by a gentleman called Beau Brummell. He replaced long-tailed coats and silk stockings with the classic suit jacket accompanied by full-length trousers and it all went from there. But as we’re faced with new challenges (such as the lengthy daily commute) and as we strive to cut out time consuming activities (ironing a suit can be draining), what does the future look like for our tailoring? 

Advancements we’ve seen so far

One innovation that has been rolled out across many clothing manufacturers is temperature adjusting materials. In many cases, this works by controlling the body heat of the wearer. Researchers across the US developed clothing that changes how much radiation escapes from the shirt and how easily air can circulate around the body. Although heat controlling technology in clothing is not new, it is only in recent years that it has made its way into wearable clothing when it was once reserved for those in space. This sort of technology not only improves comfort levels for the wearer but can potentially have knock on positive effects on the environment. Air conditioning (AC) accounts for an outstanding 13% of energy used in the US. If our shirts become temperature regulated, then it is possible we will be in lower need of constant AC — reducing our carbon footprint so we all benefit!

Another development in material technology is non-iron fabrics. Enjoy an extra 10 minutes in bed as you pull your work shirt out of the dryer and put it on straight away — wrinkle free and no need to haul out the ironing board. The technology behind the non-iron shirt includes a process that strengthens the fabric, preventing the molecules from moving as much and increasing its resistance to creasing.

It’s important that a suit gives us the flexibility to move freely. Especially when you’re sitting in the same place for a prolonged period of time, such as at the desk, on your way to work or at a fancy dinner. This is where the latest mechanical stretch technology comes in to play. This sort of technology works with the materials of the suit to improve its flexibility. Some suit jackets and shirts achieve this stretch through incorporating a small percentage of elastane in the fabric and this is enough to enhance the comfort of the garment.

Advancements we can expect

An increasing amount of funding is being spent on researching and developing wearable payment gadgets. Of course, we already have the ability to pay contactless with a smart watch or phone but that’s just not enough! MasterCard paired with fashion designer Adam Selman to explore the idea of inserting a microchip into clothing, perhaps in the sleeve of a jacket or into a bag — allowing you to pay for items with even less effort. This concept could have some effect on our tailoring trends as cuff links and pockets could become payment devices!   

We could potentially be closing the door to buying a garment we like in different colours. The research behind it is ever advancing and there are a few ongoing projects developing the idea. One of the projects, explored by scientists at the University of Michigan, is looking at incorporating tiny crystals that react differently depending on the wavelength of light. This affects the crystal’s formation and how they look in terms of colour to others. Other research, carried out in Montreal, is investigating how electricity from human movement can power electric fabric and change its colour. At the moment, the research is a long way off from our high streets, but it is paving the way for colour-changing materials in the future.

Purchasing a three-piece suit can be costly. It is then unsettling when a sleeve is caught on a door handle or on something sharp and the material is damaged. The latest technology in textiles is addressing this issue through the development of self-healing fabric. It works by coating regular fabric in a special solution that, when ripped, is able to melt back together at low temperatures. Other research has founded that E. coli bacteria has self-replicating properties, and this is being explored in order to discover if it can be used to knit broken fabric back together.   

It’s no secret that our wardrobes have advanced over time. Many developments are being made in order to make our lives easier and further enhance our suits to meet our highly digital and busy lifestyles.

Sources

https://www.gq.com/gallery/the-gq-history-of-the-suit-by-decade

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-chameides/the-wrinkle-in-no-iron-sh_b_793703.html

https://search.proquest.com/docview/1738859748

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2074964-smart-clothes-adapt-so-you-are-always-the-right-temperature/

https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/22/11081384/visa-mastercard-mobile-payment-connected-devices-mwc-2016

https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/news-analysis/adam-selman-mastercard-turning-clothes-into-payment-devices

https://www.highsnobiety.com/2015/03/31/future-textile-technologies/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3715203/The-future-fashion-Watch-incredible-self-healing-fabric-repair-rips-clothes.html

You might be wondering what shirt studs actually are. You might also be wondering why your stiff white tuxedo shirts have holes above the button holes. Well, let’s unravel this mystery. Shirt studs are basically an alternative to buttons, most suited to formal wear. They’re usually made of some form of metal, from antique silver to classic gold, and sometimes feature inlays of various materials, often onyx or crystal. Shirt studs were created in the 19th Century to fasten stiff shirts that were frequently starched to the point that regular buttons wouldn’t stay on. Today, they’re still useful for formal occasions befitting your best tuxedo.

Wearing them is much simpler than you might think. First, feed the shirt stud through the hole above the button holes from the back. Then — as if the button wasn’t there — fasten the shirt using the shirt stud, allowing its feature or pattern to poke through the button hole. It really is as simple as that. Shirt studs add a little something to your look that takes it over the edge, bringing true style and class to your getup.

So, when can you wear shirt studs?

That’s really up to you. Typically, shirt studs are reserved for formality, so you’ll want to get them out for weddings, Christmas parties, business functions and such. They can also be an excellent way of distinguishing yourself from the crowd at any formal function, so don’t feel restricted by these social norms, especially if you’re trying to establish your style and individuality.

Celebrity Shirt Stud Inspiration

If you’re in need of inspiration to wear shirt studs, look no further than James Bond. Even his wax figure looks smooth! Bond’s waxy likeness sports a classic black tuxedo complete with black shirt studs, as worn by Daniel Craig playing the licensed killer in Skyfall. You may have noticed from the examples provided that shirt studs are best paired with a bow tie. Bow ties are generally the preferred necktie of choice when attending formal functions, and so naturally they pair very well with shirt studs. If you are wearing a long tie for your event, however, you may not necessarily need shirt studs, but be aware that if you remove or loosen your tie over the course of the event, white shirt will look much better and more put together if you do choose to wear shirt studs with it.

Selecting the Right Shirt Stud for You

Although the examples shown here mostly display black shirt studs, there are plentiful choices available for those looking for something a little different. Shirt studs are the perfect opportunity for some self-expression, and you can find many for different occasions. You can find themed shirt studs, such as hearts for Valentine’s Day or four-leaf clovers for St. Patrick’s Day. You can also find shirt studs specific to your interests, such as T.V and film-related studs.

Red carpet looks are a good place to go when searching for inspiration for formal attire, also. For example, Jon Hamm pulls of a classic tuxedo with shirt studs in this picture. Whether or not you are Don Draper, shirt studs are a timeless accessory that will give you a timeless look.

Shirt studs are a simple but very effective way of highlighting yourself as stylish, independent, and unique, and every man should consider raising the bar for the next formal function they attend by trying something a little different.