Facebook Live - A Rare Ensemble: Zoot Suit

Flamboyant in style and exaggerated in proportion, the zoot suit is linked to a relatively small subculture, yet it represents a significant moment in the history of menswear. Zoe Perkins, co-curator of the SLAM presentation of Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 1715-2015, shares the story behind this iconic outfit, on view in the exhibition through Sunday, September 17.

[@rwmartinez1262]

lies.... The origin is KNOWN.. the Black community.

[@rwmartinez1262]

It was known throughout American cities that the oversized zoot suit trend was started in the 1930s by African American men, and Most fashion created by them were seen as gangsta fashion. Being ones own man” the zoot suit was a fresh air of independence for the men, not relying on nor controlled by white American mainstream fashion but their own.
To compliment the look black men who wore the zoot would put on a swagger, adopting a walk and dip while out and about, that garnered many attention. Some people thought that the walk was provocative and was seen by the upper class as straw in the wind. As for the African American men that wore the fashion it was only a trick of the trade. It was also worn to grab the attention of female admirers.
African American tailors specifically and dutifully designed the extravagant suit for black men to make a bold statement to the world as they were subjected to a lot of discrimination during that era. Wearing the oversized suit was a declaration of pride freedom and self-determination, even rebelliousness. It was attention grabbing and flashy.

[@zashorion2114]

I love this Zoot suit! This exhibition would have been amazing for me to see 😂 it would have helped me a lot in my project 😂

[@Phoenix48mv]

Showin love to the Pachucos ese

[@HiNinqi]

Beautiful!

[@unclefox5022]

Are there any places that may have some more history on zoot suits, or is this about it?

[@HiNinqi]

On youtube there are a few mini documentaries about them as they related to Pachuco culture (you'll have to scroll around for the parts about clothing). Here's one: ruclips.net/video/9k2E-__2mbs/видео.html

[@PAGUMMADU]

VALENTINO'S ZOOT SUIT CONNECTION in Las Vegas, Nevada

[@unclefox5022]

@@PAGUMMADU Thanks for the info.