Where does the term 'Gentleman' come from?
The name "Gentleman" is a centuries-old term that goes back to the 13th century and originally was typical of the men in the "upper class" of society. A gentleman is often characterised as a noble man. The image of this noble man from the highest social class is therefore closely connected to a certain natural charisma and flattering style of dress.
From Shakespeare to James Bond
We find the gentleman in various forms: whether it's the poetic arts of William Shakespeare or precisely the tough, fighting image of James Bond. Both gentlemen are seen as ultimate Gentlemen. A gentleman is, after all, characterised in particular by his behaviour. He is skilled in courtesy, has a humane character and protects his spouse by holding his own on the "battlefield". And all this, of course, in tasteful clothing that is well suited to every moment.
Do’s
The British Gentleman doesn't follow the herd, but is a powerful individual who creates trends instead of following them. Secretly we do follow the history a bit, and we have a few suggestions for you.
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Three-piece
The typical example of how a British Gentleman is dressed, namely the three-piece suit. Formal and traditional, but also powerful in appearance. The advantage of a three-piece suit is that, when you take off the jacket, you are still smartly dressed thanks to the waistcoat. With the "comeback" of the three-piece suit, you can already take the first step towards your British Gentleman look with this! -
Smart shoes
The characteristic British shoes are the oxford and the derby. The big difference lies in the fact that the derby is less formal. Both shoes are available in various colours and variants, such as cognac, black and dark blue. Important for the British Gentleman is that his shoes are always well polished and shine just as much as his character. -
Cufflinks
An underappreciated detail these days, but historically very refined and tasteful: the cufflink. Give your look an extra dimension by wearing a nice shirt with a double cuff so that you can show off your luxurious cufflinks. Nothing is as subtle as a beautiful silver- or gold-coloured cufflink that appears when you extend your hand to the person across from you. If you really want to go all out, you can also opt for cufflinks fitted with gemstones or other decorations. -
Behaviour
Courtesy sometimes seems to be a dying phenomenon, but we at Suitable like to breathe new life into this behaviour! A real gentleman displays courteous behaviour towards others. Such as carrying the umbrella with a lady at his side and holding the door open for someone else. And you don't need to hold your mobile phone in your hand while dining.
Don'ts
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Too tight
The British Gentleman dresses very differently from the Italian Sprezzatura, and we see this above all in how slim a suit is worn. In this the gentleman is a bit more conservative. So don't wear your suits and jackets cut too slim, but allow a bit more room in the fit to be able to move freely. Originally, by the way, this room was meant for carrying a sword, for example, but nowadays that is no longer (really) necessary. -
Unkempt
Where the Italian always gets away with a five o'clock shadow and can wear his hair nonchalantly, the British Gentleman is the epitome of grooming. Clean-shaven, even during Movember, and the hair neatly in place. Always presentable for every occasion, even at the weekend. So grab your razor and comb your hair. -
Test card
Avoid looking like a test card or the colour palette of the local painter. Choose refined colours that complement each other. The British Gentleman is not someone who comes across as loud, but rather presents himself subtly and refined.
Have you got a taste for the English style? Then pay a visit to one of the Suitable shops for more inspiration or order directly online in our webshop.
