The leisure suit, made of double-knit polyester, was a popular fashion trend in the 1970s due to its comfort and affordability. It fell out of favor in the 1980s with the rise of formal business attire. The suit is now a popular cultural reference and can be found at thrift stores and auction sites.
Leisure suits are one of the most memorable fashions of the 1970s. Consisting of trousers and a matching shirt jacket, the leisure suit was usually made of double-knit polyester. It often included features such as wide lapels, contrast stitching, bell-bottom hems, and bold geometric patterned fabric.
Since the suit was relatively inexpensive, comfortable, and easy to care for, it quickly became a favorite among men who hated the stuffy formal wear associated with the older generation. It was quite common to see men from all walks of life wearing the suits while working, dating, shopping, or golfing. By the 1970s, every mall in the country carried suits for adult men, as well as smaller versions made for children and teenagers. Macy’s even ran a series of television commercials urging doctors, lawyers, and business people to embrace this revolutionary fashion trend.
The leisure suit reached the height of its popularity in 1977, when John Travolta wore a white version of the suit for his role as Tony Manero in the hit film Saturday Night Fever. The movie made Travolta one of the most talked about stars in Hollywood and led millions of young people to try to emulate his look.
Leisure suits fell out of favor in the early 1980s as the business environment began to demand more formal attire. In many industries, the polyester suit was replaced by power suits with wide shoulder pads and stiffer cuts.
The suit earned its place in popular culture by making frequent appearances on popular television shows as an iconic 1970s reference. These suits are also featured prominently in the Leisure Suit Larry video game series in which a middle-aged hero a little bald and silly tries to seduce attractive young women.
Today, it is quite difficult to find a genuine leisure suit available for purchase. If you want to own this fashion story, you’ll need to get one from an older relative or sort through the merchandise at garage sales, thrift stores, consignment shops, and auction sites like eBay. However, you may have a hard time finding a vintage suit if you wear a size larger. In the 1970s, most men’s clothing was designed to accommodate a 30-inch waist and would be considered small by today’s standards.
If you’re lucky enough to find a leisure outfit that suits your needs, you can rock your new outfit at the annual convention in Des Moines, IA or at one of the many other 1970s-inspired events held regularly at all United States.
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