Ever go to a tailor and have no idea what word(s) she/he just said? Well, we are here to bring a little education into the wide world of tailoring with a little terminology talk. Check back every week for a new term.
First up: Break
If your pants are too short or too long, it can make for a not-so-nice first impression. That’s where the proper break comes in. The “break” in your pants is the horizontal crease that forms where your pants meet your shoes. The size and look of the break varies depending on how long your pants are. Different breaks create different looks.
There are three different types:
Short:
The short break looks best on slimmer legged pants, creating a modern, slim pant. To achieve this, the tailor must adjust the pant leg to land a little below the top of the dress shoe.
Medium:
This cut creates a clean, semi-deep break across the pant leg. A good break for men of average height, the pant leg won’t be too short, exposing the dress socks. If this is your style, ask your tailor to cut the leg so that it lands midway on top of your dress shoes and down to the top of your heel.
Full:
A slightly more conservative look, a full break allows for the most length/coverage. You will not see any socks and looks best on taller frames. To achieve this style, make sure the tailor hems the pant leg to fall right at the top of the shoe sole.
Don’t forget about your jeans!
While the term break is used heavier in suit tailoring, it also important to know the rules on jean hemming! Wash your new denim before having them adjusted. Jeans can be cut slightly longer than slacks but make sure your shoes don’t get lost in excess fabric.
Shoes…
Don’t forget them! Bring the pair of shoes you plan to wear the most with each suit or pair of jeans when you go to the tailors. Trust us, it’s important 🙂
Photo courtesy of effortlessgent.
