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The wedding suit

An essential part of men's fashion, the suit has taken on many different roles over the centuries. From Napoleon to the Duke of Windsor, the historic suit has made a name for itself at an event where it still holds a place of choice: the wedding. A look back at the evolution of this emblematic garment of French elegance. 

A garment steeped in history

The suit is the embodiment of French sartorial savoir-faire, an art mastered by tailors attentive to everything that makes a garment valuable: fabrics, cut, finish... But while it's part of a sartorial tradition in which every detail is important, it has undergone many changes since it first appeared in Antiquity.

From simple tunics and gowns, it gradually became more sophisticated in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, before becoming truly indispensable in modern times:

  • In the 18th century, it was quite busy, with brightly-colored jackets and vests generally accessorized with hats and canes.
  • With the French Revolution, ostentatious ornamentation gave way to a more sober, functional three-piece suit. Pants replaced historic breeches, cuts were more fitted and black, the symbol of sobriety and prestige, gradually became the norm. 

  • In the 19th century, refinement increased with the diversified use of wool, linen and cotton, offering a wider choice of styles. 

  • It was also during this period that suits were adapted to different occasions (work, going out on the town, evening events) and democratized, with, for example, the appearance of more relaxed country suits than those historically worn by the bourgeoisie.
A true marker of its era, this men's garment underwent a number of mutations over the course of the 20th century:

  • Elegant cuts, luxurious fabrics (velvet, silk) and bright colors were all in vogue during the Belle Epoque. 
  • The rise of cinema and the popularity of actors such as Cary Grant made the tuxedo a must-have in the 1930s.
  • After the 2nd World War, there was a return to simplicity, with the need for more durable and functional clothing. 
  • This casual trend lasted until the 1960s-1970s (use of lighter fabrics such as cotton and denim) and even into the 1980s-1990s with tweed suits.

Today, men's suits are more diversified than ever, thanks to brands such as IZAC, which has specialized in men's wedding suits since 2003.

Getting dressed up

Long associated with nobility and wealth, suits have always been a way for men to display their status, especially at weddings. In the 18th century, aristocratic unions were the occasion to don their finest finery, and under the Ancien Régime, bridal attire reflected the groom's social standing. 

Throughout history, celebrity weddings have marked the evolution of costume:

  • In 1796, when Napoleon married Joséphine, he demonstrated the influence of uniforms on men's fashion at the time by wearing an elegant military outfit that underlined his status as emperor.
  • More than 60 years later, his descendant Prince Napoleon sported a tailored three-piece suit for his wedding to Clotilde de Savoie. A sober, majestic allure prefiguring the silhouette of the modern suit.

  • And in 1937, long after the fashion for dandyism in the 19th century, it was another English trend that influenced French tailors after the scandalous wedding of the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson. Three-piece double-breasted suit, sober tie, discreet buttonhole: ex-King Edward VIII displayed a “British gentleman” style that is still found today in men's fashion.

By combining traditional techniques and contemporary innovations, top-of-the-range fabrics and sophisticated finishes, fashion houses continue to write the history of this garment with tailoring that is increasingly adapted to customers' tastes. 

This is the case, for example, at IZAC, where for over 20 years, a wide range of wedding and tuxedo suits has benefited from this age-old know-how.


Valérie from Comme des Français




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