Since my company has devolved into "business casual", I was wondering about the future of suits in general as business wear. Aside from meeting clients,and other "high powered" occasions, it appears that the suit is on the wane in the business environment. A visit to my tailor and a review of various jacketings for my newly expanding sportcoat wardrobe gave me an idea- What about suits in country cloths as the new "dressy" business casual? There are a couple of provisos with this revelation that limits the universe of cuts since "business casual" eschews ties.

It seems the trick to tieless suiting is a high throat. The small expanse of shirt is relegated to more of an accent than a canvas for the tie. Although collared shirts are less adapted to this, the ubiquitous mock turtleneck may serve better.


Single breasted suits really don't "work" sans tie. The cut is such that an awful lot of shirt is exposed, and without a tie to break up that expanse of shirt IMO it just doesn't look 'right'. The attempts I've seen at work have been miserable ( and by otherwise very well dressed men). Adding a vest to raise the throat probably looks worse but my vision wasn't clear on this. It may just work but I doubt it


To my mind, the high throat DB is best adapted to tieless wear. The crossover and the peak lapels both serve to frame the now tieless shirt / turtleneck better than could be done by a SB. In context, the jacket replaces the cloak and the smaller expanse of shirt, the cloak's clasp. In previous ages the clasp was a decorative element that served to direct the viewer to the wearer's face, as the tie does now. As a demo, I'm looking into having a suit made from Dormueil "faux tweed" in a somewhat subdued but obviously country pattern  for the purpose of trying this look. ( I can always wear these as separates anyway so no loss)

Before everyone posts Ralph Lauren in his glen plaids with black trutlenecks, I think the throat of his jackets is much too low to carry the look.

Food for thought?