CHICAGO SERIES
CHICAGO SERIES
Like all of our garments, our Chicago Series has its roots in history – and it's a story worth telling.
The history of pinstripes dates back to London's banking district around the turn of the 20th century. Originally, these subtle woven stripes served as a discreet way to identify employees of different banks.
Each institution had its own distinctive stripe pattern, allowing those in the know to immediately recognize where a man worked. What started as a practical identifier soon evolved into something much bigger.
On New York's Wall Street, the pinstripe became the ultimate symbol of power, wealth, and financial influence.
During the 1920s and 1930s, the pattern underwent a dramatic transformation.
Notorious gangsters like Al Capone adopted the pinstripe suit as part of their signature look, using it to project success, authority, and untouchable confidence. The criminal associations, however, didn't last for long. Before long, the pinstripe suit found its way onto the silver screen, where Hollywood icons such as Clark Gable and Cary Grant turned it into a symbol of timeless elegance. From there, the pinstripe secured its place as a true classic in every gentleman's wardrobe.
There is also a charming theory that the pattern was inspired by the tailor's chalk marks used during the fitting process. Whether true or not, the vertical lines certainly have the effect of visually lengthening the silhouette and creating a sharper appearance.
So, whether banker or gangster – a Chicago Set belongs in every well-equipped wardrobe.
