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Why smart suiting at the G7 summit heralds a return to formality post-Covid

G7 Summit - Shutterstock
G7 Summit - Shutterstock

Boris Johnson may have made a lumbering dash into the bracing Cornish waves in somewhat gaudy floral swimming trunks, but on the whole the G7 summit in Carbis Bay has been a reminder of the power of pin-sharp suiting.

Most of us have weathered the pandemic in dress-down informality, but the G7’s line-up of suited world leaders is a reminder that, as we ease out of lockdown, it’s time to shake off your smart single-breasted. The hoodie might have gotten us through the toughest of times (and certainly most lax in terms of style), but it’s time to shake down the more sophisticated end of our wardrobe.

Prince Charles  - Jack Hill
Prince Charles - Jack Hill

Prince Charles knows his way around an impeccable suit, and it was notable that the royal chose to fully dress up his mid-blue chalk-stripe suit with the full kit and caboodle of accessories. The prince wore a pale blue tie with grey silk pocket square, a floral lapel pin, cufflinks and his ever-present signet ring, a splendid show of sartorialism when suiting, and the industries that support it, such as shirt making, tie making and formal shoes, have suffered a seismic blow during the pandemic.

It’s telling that, throughout virtual events on Zoom, the prince has appeared sharply dressed throughout, and in the context of the G7 summit, a reminder of his presence in the face of so many world leaders who, certainly in the case of Johnson, take a more relaxed approach to smartness.

US president Joe Biden has similarly looked impeccable throughout his visit, but for different reasons. Black and navy single-breasted suits, a club striped tie; nothing particularly exciting, but that’s the point. After the curiously baggy suits of his predecessor, his nipped-in, statuesque tailoring looks statesmanlike in comparison.

Biden Queen - Chris Jackson
Biden Queen - Chris Jackson

The fitted nature of his suits, which define his lean silhouette and broaden his shoulders, also serve to help him appear dynamic and fit as a 78-year-old. Macron would do well to take a tip from Biden on proportions; the French president is a diminutive 5ft 8, but his suits have a high button hole on the jacket which can serve to make a torso look shorter - likewise short lapels instead of longer ones which serve to elongated the body.

Justin Trudeau  - Reuters
Justin Trudeau - Reuters

The other style frontrunner from the conference is Canadian president Justin Trudeau, who alongside donning some jolly harlequin patterned socks, stood out in soft grey suiting with - controversially - brown shoes. The old adage goes that brown should never be seen in town, and in fact in 2019 a City firm advised young graduates to never turn up to an interview in brown shoes.

Trudeau  - Stephanie Lecocq
Trudeau - Stephanie Lecocq

But as menswear designers predict that our return to work will see a mix and match approach to suiting, applying a mix of smart jackets with relaxed chinos, or suits with polo shirts instead of shirting, perhaps it’s time to let up on traditional dress codes. Either that, or the Prince of Wales can take Trudeau aside for a quiet word.

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