safari suit
C1Semi-formal, descriptive.
Definition
Meaning
A lightweight, casual suit, typically with multiple pockets and epaulettes, originally designed for travel and outdoor activities in hot climates.
A garment style that evokes a utilitarian, colonial-era aesthetic for leisurewear or fashion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often associated with 1970s fashion and practical travel clothing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly recognized as a specific garment style in UK English; in US English, might be more likely described as a 'camp shirt and shorts set' or 'utility suit'.
Connotations
UK: Can carry a slightly dated or retro-fashion connotation. US: May evoke a more niche, adventurous, or costumey image.
Frequency
Low frequency in contemporary use in both varieties; used more in historical or fashion contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[wear + safari suit][dressed in + safari suit][outfit consisted of + safari suit]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Very rare; potentially in travel or outdoor retail.
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, or fashion studies contexts discussing colonial attire or 20th-century fashion.
Everyday
Used descriptively for a specific style of clothing, often with a nostalgic or humorous tone.
Technical
Used in fashion design and garment history.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- He dug out his old safari suit for the themed garden party.
- The explorer's iconic look was completed by a dusty khaki safari suit.
American English
- The vintage store had a 1970s safari suit on display.
- For the jungle trek, she packed a practical, quick-dry safari suit.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The man in the photo is wearing a safari suit.
- My grandfather has a white safari suit.
- Once popular in the 1970s, the safari suit has recently seen a revival in retro fashion circles.
- He chose a linen safari suit for the summer cruise, valuing its comfort and pockets.
- The film's costume designer used the protagonist's increasingly worn safari suit as a metaphor for his physical and moral disintegration in the colonial landscape.
- Debates around the safari suit often touch upon its problematic associations with imperialism and big-game hunting.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SAFARI SUIT: Sounds like 'SAFe And Ready In' a utilitarian suit.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS ARMOUR (for the elements/adventure).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'костюм сафари'. While understood, it's a very specific loanword. A descriptive phrase like 'лёгкий костюм в стиле сафари' or 'походный костюм' might be more natural in many contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'safari suit' to refer to any casual suit or tracksuit.
- Misspelling as 'safary suit' or 'saffari suit'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is a 'safari suit' LEAST likely to be worn today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While both may have epaulettes and multiple pockets, a safari suit is specifically a matching shirt/jacket and trousers/shorts set designed for civilian travel and leisure in hot climates, often in lighter colours like khaki, stone, or white.
Yes, the term applies to the style regardless of gender. Women's safari suits exist and follow the same design principles.
Traditional safari suits are made from lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton drill, poplin, or linen, typically in neutral colours such as khaki, olive, or stone.
The safari suit peaked in mainstream Western fashion during the 1970s, influenced by adventure films and a trend for practical, casual clothing.