Cross-Suit: The Elegance of the Gentleman
There are two types of dress in the closet of every gentleman: the cross-suit and the simple robe costume. Each one of them has his occasion to dress it, being the crossed suit the most elegant in the opinion of the great stylists. Some author of several books on the aesthetics of man and the use of costumes defends the cross-dress as the most elegant. And you, how many cross dresses do you have in the closet?
It touches to emphasize that the crossed dress of today is slenderer than the 80’s, more modern. In addition to having narrower lapels and shorter American length. Keep reading: How and When to Wear Tie? Basic Rules
The origin of cross-dressing
The history of the cross suit is marked by a military landmark: The First World War. Before the Great War, the use of cross-dressing was relegated to royalty. During the later years, it became popular, a work in which Prince George, Duke of Kent had a great role. In fact, the knight’s cross suit was called “Kent’s suit“.
The cinema had a great part of fault in the diffusion of the crossed suit between the men of business in the decade of the 80, taking to this noble garment of the palaces and doing it one more in the daily chores. The film “Wall Street” was one of the most helped to spread the goodness and elegance of the cross-suit. Michael Douglas, in addition to winning the Oscar, was in charge of personalizing a style that has reached to our days.
Characteristics of the cross-suit
Across suit is characterized by the set of buttons and the particular shape of the flap. The peak termination, more or less high by virtue of the number of buttons, is framed between two symmetrical eyelets that give it overall vision.
The buttons of a cross suit are always grouped together. You can choose from several versions. The possible buttons are: 6×2, 4×2, 2×1, 6×1, 4×1, 6×3 and 10×4. The first digit indicates the number of total buttons; While the second indicates the number of buttons that are buckled. In any case, the result favors the one who saw it.
The versions with more buttons (4 and 6) were imposed in the masculine fashion of principles of century XX, remaining with great success until our days. These groups of buttons make the closure of the jacket is superior, letting the collar and vest (if worn) look the least.
The cross dresses of 4×2 and 6×2 are probably the most elegant (although for tastes the buttons). The 4×2 was used by the Duke of Kent, considered the most elegant knights of the twentieth century. The layout of the button, along with the natural elegance and fall of the cross-suit, make this garment benefit the image of all types of men and corpulences. Combined with fabrics of diplomatic stripe stylizes and contributes a verticality factor.
The 6×2 cross suit is the most common cross-suit. The buttonhole arrangement gives it a more open front, styling the flap by making it narrower and contributing to stylize also the figure of the knight who saw it.
However, in both versions of 6 or 4 buttons, it is possible to transmit a much greater elegance and distinction than with the single or open American suit.
To wear a cross suit
Nowadays it is common to see the simple row dress without a tie, giving an image of informality. Thus, it can be appreciated by many politicians and businessmen related to the most jovial sector, who nevertheless prefer to dress of suit to another option less elegant.
For its part, the cross suit is reserved for when a formal image is required, serious and where the elegance is rewarded. It does not lead to dressing without a tie. Neither can be unbuttoned at any time. The rules of dress and protocol show the need to wear the cross-suit always buttoned, with two rear openings to give greater comfort to the wearer.
Final thought,
Of course, the cross-suit with or without a vest and in its various versions of buttons has much to say. It is a basic piece in the wardrobe of every gentleman who likes to dress elegantly and a suit that distinguishes the wearer. Not in vain is considered as the most elegant of men’s suits.
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