Informal wear

The suit originated in Britain in the 19th-century as a leisurewear. Seeking a casual alternative to the knee-length, heavy frock coats then considered appropriate business dress, men began to wear lighter coats cut just below the seat when not engaged in business. Standard suit-making fabric is fine combed wool, with the inclusion of cashmere in more expensive fabrics. Middle-price suits are often made of wool-polyester blends, whilst the cheapest are made entirely of polyester fabric. This business suit (also known as the "sack suit" in North America, commonly by Brooks Brothers) became the standard business daywear for all men who were not engaged in physical labor. The waistcoat (British) or vest (American) was worn regularly with the suit up to World War II, but is rarely seen today, due to central heating in offices and the expense of construction. Until at least the early 1960s it was common to wear a hat. In general, business suits are characterized by three styles and a fourth fusion style. English suits are noted for having a "touch fit" to the wearer's body shape and carefully made padded shoulders. Italian suits are often slimmer, with higher armholes and highly shaped to complement a slim physique. Traditional American suits have lightly padded shoulders and loose natural fit with minimal shaping. Since the 1960s, designer brands (especially Polo Ralph Lauren) have created fusion style that brings a more shaped European look to the natural American cut. Suits in Britain were often made in tweed, often with three pieces, and were worn outside the City of London. Tweed is made from uncombed wool, and, like all fabrics from the time, was thick and durable (18-ounce was considered medium-weight in the Edwardian era). A full tweed suit is less common today, with just tweed sports jackets more often worn, but is still used generally as everyday wear by some, and for outdoor sports such as shooting and angling. It is worn with appropriate accompanying clothes, much as any other suit; brown full brogues and wool ties are common items not worn with other types of suit. ==Etiquette==

, United States Secretary of State, and Abdullah Gül, President of Turkey, in informal wear (2010) Informal attire is today considered a form of dress customarily appropriate for all formal settings, which do not explicitly require white tie or black tie. For instance, it is commonly worn to religious services and funerals, in government offices and schools. Some professions, like law or finance, may require it. Because of its strong association with the business world, informal attire is also known as international standard business dress, business professional or business formal. Men • Dress socks, differentiated from normal socks by a tighter fit and traditionally dark colors. • Underpants, seen as required by casual and above. • Dress pants, generally monochrome, and in a dark color or khaki colored pants. This does not normally include jeans. • Dress shoes, brown or black leather shoes. This can also include boat shoes. • Dress shirt, traditionally white, cream, or light blue, but pastel pink and lavender may be viewed as equally appropriate; checkered and striped shirts are seen as acceptable in most circumstances • Polo shirt, replacing the dress shirt, this has seen a surge in fashion starting in the mid to late 2010s. Women • Tights, pantyhose, knee highs, stockings, or leggings generally covering the legs is good practice; dress socks can be worn like men if slacks are worn. • Undergarments, such as a bra and panties, the latter seen as required in casual and above. • A dress or two parts of garments: • Lower garment: slacks or a skirt; • Upper garment: a blouse, turtleneck or sweater • Dress shoes, for example ballet flats, riding boots, boat shoes, loafers, or pumps. • Makeup; however, people are tending to wear increasingly less makeup. ==See also==