Let’s start off with a bit of a disclaimer. No sharks were harmed in the writing of this guide, nor in the tailoring process of any sharkskin suit:)
An icon of menswear popularized in the mid nineteenth century, sharkskin suits are named so due to their slightly shiny, shimmery appearance, which, as you might have guessed, resembles the appearance of a shark’s skin.
Chances are, you’ve noticed these types of suits before. Whether in old movies, family photographs, or even out in the wild. Typically coming in various shades of silvery gray, these suits have a bit of a sheen to them, and an intriguing aura that somehow manages to balance sleekness with a fun bit of sleaze.
But aesthetics aside, what exactly is a sharkskin suit made from? How does it maintain that slight shine? And can you style one effectively for yourself?
Find out all of that, and more, in this comprehensive guide surrounding the sharkskin suit!
Defining the Sharkskin Suit
The mark of a true, genuine sharkskin suit comes down to its very fabric composition. Generally, this unique fabric is made from a mixture of wool and silk, mohair, or sometimes rayon.
This blend of materials results in one that has a subtle sheen to it, especially noticeable under a light source.
Most of the time, sharkskin suits come in various shades of gray, but technically the shiny material isn’t limited to this one zone of color – in fact, sharkskin fabric can come in a variety of other shimmery tones, from green, to tan, and many more.
However, when most people try to picture a sharkskin suit, they’re gonna conjure up an image of something in the gray family. Often silver-adjacent, this is the type of sharkskin suit that most resembles, well, a shark’s skin. And it certainly is a sleek look!
Such suits were heavily popularized in the mid 1900s with the emergence of celebrities wearing them. Most notable were legends of the music and entertainment industry, like Frank Sinatra, and the whole Rat Pack, for that matter.
In terms of cut and styles, sharkskin suits have evolved here and there to keep up with the times and their respective suiting trends.
In the 1950s, for example, many of them followed the typical box-like American proportions that were popular among men at the time, with higher buttoning points on the jacket and full-cut trousers.
Then, in the 1960s, some types of slimmer cuts became quite popular with professionals, and many sharkskin suits were being produced with a slimmer, sleeker look than they had in the previous decade.
This can be reiterated for practically every decade of suiting trends, as the sharkskin suit has been somewhat of a mainstay in men’s fashion ever since it exploded in popularity over 70 years ago.
Some could be box-like and full-cut. Others are slim and less assuming. Single-breasted and double-breasted variations are both viable takes on the classic style.
After all, the only true defining feature of a genuine sharkskin suit is the fabric style itself – it just has to retain that slight shimmer to qualify.
How to Style A Sharkskin Suit
There are a number of acceptable ways to style a sharkskin suit, with some being a bit more casual than others. It’s not exactly a bold statement to assert that the sharkskin suit is hardly the most formal tailored garment to exist, therefore, it can work on a fairly casual sartorial level.
Conversely, they can be dressed up a bit, too. It comes down to your preference, but here are a few styling guidelines and ideas to help you get started, no matter which path you choose.
1. Black Knitwear:
If you’re looking to lean into the slightly gangster-adjacent indications of the sharkskin suit, you can add a lot of tasteful edge by pairing it with some dark-toned knitwear.
This can take the form of either a turtleneck, crew neck sweater, or a knit polo. Or you can go full Henry Hill and rock a black knit polo with vertical stripes, as seen in his iconic getup in Goodfellas (1990).
2. Sharp-Collared:
Looking for a slightly more refined bit of edge? Try wearing a dress shirt with a sharp spearpoint collar and an abstract tie to keep the ensemble traditional, yet daring. The dagger-like points of the collar will accentuate the sharp and sleek attitude that comes with a sharkskin suit.
Picking the right type of interesting tie keeps things from being too serious, and fills in the blank space left by a classic spearpoint collar, which more or less begs for a tie to complete things.
3. Minimalistic:
Not trying to go for anything too complicated, huh? A simple white or black t-shirt can work as an effective base layer under a slouchy sharkskin suit. To play with the causal implications of the look, try wearing tassel loafers and a sportier watch like a classic dive.
4. Fully Business:
The truth is, you can totally rock a sharkskin suit in the workplace. For more conservative offices, be sure to wear an appropriate white or blue dress shirt underneath, and wherever possible, a classic tie, like a rep stripe variety or a tasteful solid.
If you insist on going sans tie, perhaps opt for a more exciting patterned dress shirt, playing with patterns such as vertical stripes or textured materials like herringbone.
5: Calculated Sleaze:
Here’s a secret – half of the appeal of a sharkskin suit is in its slightly sleazy association, only, you don’t have to bring that out in a distasteful way. Sometimes, leaning into a bit of retro sleaze in an aware, ironic way, can lead to an inspired outfit that’s interesting and exciting.
Look, we’re not telling you that you have to commit to the used car salesman bit, but if you’re intentional about it, with a dark dress shirt and ever-so-garish tie, you can just claim you’re going for a rather “inspired” look. Because hey, there’s no denying it’s fun.
Where to Buy A Sharkskin Suit Today
If you’re on board with any of the styles you can experiment with while wearing a sharkskin suit, maybe it’s time to finally get one for yourself. Here are a few specific, ready-to-buy options we’re digging. See for yourself!
1. Classic Fit Wool Sharkskin 1818 Suit by Brooks Brothers
Classic American clothier Brooks Brothers has a pretty solid sharkskin offering here, with classic features and a comfortable fit on this half-canvas construction suit.
Made from 100% wool, this suit still has that unmistakable worsted sheen that you’d expect from a traditional blended sharkskin material. With a sleek profile and a fair amount of drape and shape, this is one to keep your eye on. It retails for $1,298.
2. Single-Breasted Slim-Fit Suit in a Silky-Finish Grisaille by Emporio Armani
This suit by Emporio Armani has the perfect amount of shimmer and sheen, while still offering contemporary style and impeccable quality.
The Grisaille fabric results in a unique texture, while the generous lapels and slim leg keep things fairly streamlined. It retails for $1,695.
3. The Loro Piana Fabric Wool and Silk Mercer Suit by Proper Cloth
For top dollar, you can get a brilliantly-fitting sharkskin style suit courtesy of Proper Cloth.
Made from Loro Piana fabric, which in itself is a unique wool and silk blend, this suit balances classic and modern tastes to perfection.
It’s fully structured and fully-canvassed, providing an incredible amount of shaping. And that shine? Dazzling. It retails for $1,995.