Medium: Brown, tan, and blue-grey wool

Date: 1982

Country: Italy

Credit: Gift of Mr. Jay Cocks

Giorgio Armani's suits of the 1980s redefined the look of the modern dandy. Through his experimentations with the elimination of structure, Armani provided men with an alternative to the staid design of the traditional suit, a man's "uniform" for nearly two centuries. Lack of structure allowed for what the designer described as a "light jacket, as comfortable as a shirt, sensual even in its construction." In this way, the jacket acts as a second skin, thus becoming highly personal to its wearer. Armani's designs focused more on this new manner of draping rather than the use of faddish or outrageous materials. This suit's earth-toned wool in a subtle stripe typifies the designer's preference for muted shades, which strived to project an aloof confidence and casual sophistication.

Object Number: 85.58.7