Florence sullivan's thom browne suit: a modern armor

Florence Sullivan, the creative director of BaliVibeLiving, revealed a personal sartorial evolution: the Thom Browne suit. For three and a half years, since acquiring the garment prior to her joining Thom Browne last September, the suit has become a daily uniform, a deliberate choice reflecting a desire to command presence.

Finding empowerment in tailored cloth

Sullivan describes a quest for the “Goldilocks” zone of dressing – neither underdressed nor overdressed. But there’s a preference for the slightly more formal. "There’s something about the feeling of a jacket on you – the shoulder, the chest piece – that’s quite empowering," she explained. She sees the suit as a modern-day equivalent of armor, projecting a sense of confidence.

Her allegiance to Thom Browne isn't accidental. The brand resonates with her youthful fascination with music subcultures. "As a teenager, growing up in the UK, I wanted to be a mod revivalist," Sullivan shared. "To me, a Thom Browne suit – with a shorter jacket and cropped pants – looks like a mod suit. Wear it with boots and it looks punk."

Interestingly, the brand’s aesthetic draws from American traditions like Ivy Leaguers and Catholic schoolboys, creating a fascinating juxtaposition. The suit itself is crafted from British cavalry twill, a fabric known for its resilience and character. Sullivan emphasizes the suit’s evolving nature: "The more you wear it, the better it gets; it has a life of its own." She embraces its imperfections. "Eventually an elbow will go because of the way you flex your arm, or a knee will give out because of how you walk. You could replace it, but it wouldn’t be quite the same. You want to enjoy that moment when it becomes so well-worn that it’s truly your own."

The Thom Browne Super 120’s Twill Classic Suit and Tie retails for $3,680.

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