Suits you, madam: Don’t settle for baggy trousers or tight jackets when you can have your own custom-made three-piece
The suit has been a wardrobe staple for men for centuries, often made to measure for those special occasions. Now, women can follow suit with their own tailored look as Best Mens Wear specialist Tara Grehan brings three-piece ideas to life
Lorraine Keane in her custom-made tweed suit from Best Mens Wear
Laura Dowling, aka the Fabulous Pharmacist, in her black suit made by Best Mens Wear specialist Tara Grehan
Women's dinner jackets available at Best Mens Wear
Best Mens Wear tailor Tara Grehan measures Lorraine Keane for her suit
Suits for women have a long history of being fashion forward and defiant, from the suffragettes ditching their hobble skirts for more ‘masculine’ clothing that allowed free movement, or Hollywood stars like Marlene Dietrich donning a tux on the silver screen.
Many strong women have paved the way for us to do something as simple as put on a pair of trousers. The scandal of wearing men’s clothing has now long faded and we all benefit from the opportunity to play dress up with zero rules. Whether that be British pop star Harry Styles frolicking in a field in a sky blue dress or Lizzo pairing a blazer with a thinly drawn moustache framing her lips.
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Fashion is, above all, fun and freeing. Two ladies who have recently enjoyed playing dress up are TV/radio presenter Lorraine Keane and Laura Dowling, aka the Fabulous Pharmacist, who popped into Ireland’s own suiting haven, Best Mens Wear.
Laura Dowling, aka the Fabulous Pharmacist, in her black suit made by Best Mens Wear specialist Tara Grehan
Tara Grehan is the ladies’ made-to-measure specialist at Best Mens Wear. Grehan brought the two women through the process of making a perfect tailored suit. This included a consultation to understand what Keane and Dowling wanted from their look. Then came the design stage, which is where Grehan’s expertise comes into play. Grehan chooses fabrics, trimmings and the final cut of the piece. After the suit is brought to life, it’s time for final fittings and when it comes to suiting, fit is everything.
This classic staple is an investment piece in most men’s wardrobe that they repeatedly wear, so now it’s time for the ladies to literally follow suit. Dowling’s look is reminiscent of an Yves Saint Laurent suit, effortlessly chic and striking. Saint Laurent championed women and their strength, he was even the mastermind being Bianca Jagger’s white smoking jacket, which she wore at her wedding to Mick Jagger in 1971.
Best Mens Wear tailor Tara Grehan measures Lorraine Keane for her suit
Keane, on the other hand, opted for a more modern and feminine take on the suit. The tweed jacket adds a heritage feel to the piece, while the waistcoat with no shirt under mimics the looks we are more acquainted to in women’s fashion today.
These two stylish ladies prove that the possibilities are endless when it comes to suits, all you need is a great tailor and imagination.
For more details, see bestmenswear.com
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