Fashion is A Cycle: Zoot Suits

Zoot suits were popularized in the 1940’s amongst minority men (Mexican, Italian, Filipino and African American). These suits had pegged pants and long jackets that extended to knee length. The pants were tapered at the ankle and this look was commonly seen in the Harlem jazz scene. This extravagant style with the over-exaggerated shoulders (due to the shoulder pads) was meant to be fancy or luxurious. During the World War II there were fabric restrictions and the patriotic civilian criticized the men that wore them because of the amount of fabric that it took to construct them.

In his 2002 Spring/Summer collection John Galliano had his own modernized version of these zoot suits worn by Harlem musicians. Female models donned this look on the runway however, the suits had a sort of patchwork look. John Galliano’s pants differed because the hem was shortened and they were not tapered at the ankle, however his suits did embody the same silhouette of the original zoot suit.

Again in his 2008 Fall Ready-to-wear debut, he donned this look again. However, Galliano managed to add a touch of femininity to his collection. John Galliano’s runway shows remind me of the sense of pride these minority men had when wearing these suits. Remember the next time you see suits that they are much more than just a garment, they are a crucial part of American history during the 1940’s.