cinch the waist

Style Tip: Cinch The Waist

The combination of sexy, large and masculine has come with the use of one thing; the cinched waist.

Perhaps as early as the 1920s, the birth era of the trench coat, looks that gave definition to the masculine build have all been belted or darted around the waist.

Photo from the Smithsonian Article on the History of the Trench Coat. Check it by clicking the photo.

Maybe even earlier than that since the smoking jacket was founded around the 1850s. 

Fast forward to modern tailoring of men’s suits, we see many of the top suit style influencers go with the tailored look. The paragon of bespoke suiting includes the sculpted male silhouette. Meaning it’s going to be cinched at the waist, for most men.

cinched waist
Influential designer Davidson Frère in Musika Frère showcasing modern suit construction technique

Recently I found a vintage jacket that was slightly oversized for me. It fits well across the chest and in the arms. It just happens to be long. Long jackets was definitely an 80s and 90s flair in streetwear. Anyway, my only thought was that I was goin to have to shorten the jacket. That was doable but it would be so tragic to interrupt all of the embellishments.

cinch the waist

So I took some cues from two of my favorite classic mens looks. The double breasted suit and the trench coat. Overlapping the jacket angles the front making it look shorter. Also I knew that adding a belt would redirect the visual lines. You would go from seeing a long jacket to paying more attention to wide shoulders and a small center. Adding a belt also makes the overlap seem intentional.

cinch the waist

Bingo Bango! Its the magic fashion tango!

Thats the tip to redeeming your sexy, men.  Mans sexy is all about the V. Not just the “v” near the lower abdomen but the upper body V also. The wide shoulders chest and conjured waist line gives the imagery of a trimmed and trained body. Whether you are or not (like me), the on lookers can imagine whatever else they like.

Try adding a belt to your jackets and coats this winter. I recommend using wide or 2in belts to give that military winter ready look.

This also works for some shirts worn on the outside and waist coats.