Zoot suit

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A zoot suit (occasionally spelled zuit suit) is a men's suit with high-waisted, wide-legged, tight-cuffed, pegged trousers, and a long coat with wide lapels and wide padded shoulders. It is most notable for its use as a cultural symbol among the Hepcat and Pachuco subcultures. Originating among African Americans, it later became popular with Mexican, Filipino, Italian, and Japanese Americans in the 1940s. The zoot suit originated in African American comedy shows within the Chitlin' Circuit in the 1920s. Comedians such as Pigmeat Markham, Stepin Fetchit, and many others would dress in rags or in colorful baggy suits for their comedic routines. This style of oversized suits would later become a popular trend in the inner-city ghettos. Many tap and Lindy hop dancers wore loose-fitting suits to the clubs and ballrooms. These suits made it much easier to navigate the dance floor while dancing. Jazz and Jump blues singers helped popularize the style in the 1930s and 40s. Cab Calloway called them...

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