The zoot suit offered a prime example of fashion’s democratization as the bold, new style gained mass appeal. Young, mainstream wearers all across the country embraced and enhanced their own suits.

The Zoot Suit Riots occurred in 1943 and were a series of attacks by white servicemen and police officers against Black, Mexican and Filipino men, particularly those who were wearing the style.

Eventually, 24 pachucos -- as young Latinos who wore zoot suits were known back then -- were indicted. Of those, 12 were convicted of first-degree murder. Zoot suits were branded gangster garb.

And 75 years ago this weekend, on June 3, 1943, the zoot suit became forever tied to one of the darkest periods in the region’s history when U.S. military men took the streets of Los Angeles ...

The zoot suit was one of Fox Brothers` first designs, and almost instantly the clothing house found itself among the avant-garde of American fashion. Fox came up with endless variations to the ...

“The zoot suit is the first truly American fashion,” says Takeda. “And It was African Americans and immigrants — Filipinos, Chicanos — who took it on.

So if the creators of "Forever Swing's Zoot Suit: A Big Band Revue" are looking to capitalize on a trend, they're off a few years. Of course connoisseurs of true swing -- and not that "neo" stuff ...

In Zoot Suit, Valdez points out the hypocrisy of these actions during World War II, as Latino and other minority soldiers fought for their country at a time when their country wasn't supporting them.

If this book entertains folks and allows them see the Zoot Suiters as kids just trying to figure out who they were, then I think I accomplished my goal.” Lizard in a Zoot Suit is available now.

With Zoot Suit, he drew parallels between social injustices of the 1940s and those of his own era. With this revival, he shows us how little has changed. Venue: Mark Taper Forum, downtown Los Angeles ...