The confusion by posters here is the "Zoot Suit" reference. The original zoot suit, associated with tando hats, "a killer-diller coat with a drape shape, reet pleats and shoulders padded like a lunatic's cell" was the US Latino and African-American pachuco culture's uniform in the 1940's, who were obsessed by their clothing. Early 1960's British Mods strove to create their own fashion sense from Italian and Ivy League influences. "Zoot suit" or jacket was a snappy style reference to their own suited fashion style, which was of slim cut jacket and trousers, often of mohair and usually three button jacket with short side- or centre-vents. When hats were worn (not so often), they were usually Jamaican pork-pie style.
The confusion by posters here is the "Zoot Suit" reference. The original zoot suit, associated with tando hats, "a killer-diller coat with a drape shape, reet pleats and shoulders padded like a lunatic's cell" was the US Latino and African-American pachuco culture's uniform in the 1940's, who were obsessed by their clothing. Early 1960's British Mods strove to create their own fashion sense from Italian and Ivy League influences. "Zoot suit" or jacket was a snappy style reference to their own suited fashion style, which was of slim cut jacket and trousers, often of mohair and usually three button jacket with short side- or centre-vents. When hats were worn (not so often), they were usually Jamaican pork-pie style.