Pinstripes

Lore & Background

Pinstripes have been found on suits since the early 19th century. They were used by banks in London to identify their employees. The New York Yankees are associated with the pinstripe pattern, which has become iconic in baseball but has no direct established link to the National Basketball Association.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed with a low electric buzz as the night air cooled the concrete of the dugout. A rookie stood at the edge of the tunnel, his hands trembling slightly as he adjusted the navy blue cap. He looked down at his chest, where the thin white stripes ran vertically from collar to hem. It felt heavier than wool should be. Around him, veterans walked with a quiet confidence, their pinstripes crisp and unblemished by doubt. He took a deep breath, realizing that he wasn't just putting on a jersey; he was stepping into a lineage of giants. The roar of the crowd began to swell, a tidal wave of sound waiting for the man in stripes to answer its call.

Reader's Guide

Although found mostly in men's suits, any type of fabric can be pinstriped, including fabric for shirts. Pinstripes were originally worn only on suit pants but upon being adopted in the United States during the 20th century they were also used on suit jackets.

Did You Know?

• The pinstripe pattern was not known in medieval England; references in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales are a modern misconception.
• The Chicago Cubs were the first Major League Baseball team to incorporate pinstripes, doing so in 1907.
• The pinstripe is often compared to the wider chalk stripe.