The return of the Yorkshire Stripe Suit

For many years the donning of a two or three piece suit was the standard attire for many office executives.

Post-pandemic the rules on office wear have become a little more liberal allowing for jeans, polo shirts and the zip jumper which seems to be a particular favourite.

Has the suit therefore become redundant? Absolutely not! Suits are for special occasions, those special client meetings and let’s be honest, whenever you feel like looking as smart as a carrot.

So it seems an appropriate time to revive a very special piece of sartorial wear – the Yorkshire Stripe Suite.

Led by Canon Keith Madeley – aka Mr Yorkshire – his idea came from a suggestion from the Yorkshire Tourist Board to celebrate Yorkshire staging the Bollywood Awards in the county in 2007.

Madeley had already worked with JH Clissold in Bradford on suiting to support the textile sector.

Yorkshire Stripe Suiting was presented to leading Bollywood Stars in 2007 and worn by several business leaders at the time.

Since then, Madeley has arranged a further three weavings of the suiting with a different colour each time for the material.

He said: “The Yorkshire Suiting was also mentioned at a major conference I helped organise called ‘Yorkshire in the City’ in 2008 when I hired the Guildhall in London to tell the World what Yorkshire can offer.

“Speakers included the then Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, and Tom Riordan now chief executive of Leeds City Council.

“As we move further away from the effects of the pandemic it is time to revisit the Yorkshire Suiting as we have a new generation of business leaders who I am sure will want to support Yorkshire Textiles and be proud Yorkshire ambassadors and show this by being proud to wear a suit with Yorkshire in the stripe.

“It is a great talking point as the wording is subtle but can be seen when mentioned and is ideal for networking.”

The Yorkshire Suiting has been presented in the House of Commons to Yorkshire MPs. The former Archbishop of York, Dr Sentamu, had two suits in the material. A two piece suit will cost about £800 and a three piece £900.

People interested in a tailored Yorkshire suit and who want to show their commitment to Yorkshire are invited to acquire a suit of their own in this material to help support the county’s still thriving textile sector.

To register interest, contact sales@thebusinessdesk.com or Keith@mryorkshire.com