For years, the suit was dying. Or so we were told.
In the post-casual, post-COVID era, sweatpants became office attire, sneakers replaced brogues, and weddings trended toward linen shirts and “relaxed dress codes.” The fashion forecast? Formalwear was fading.
And yet, five years later, something unexpected happened.
From Brooklyn rooftops to Napa vineyards, from courthouse elopements to gala fundraisers — the suit is not just back. It’s personal.
“I didn’t want to rent a tux. I wanted to wear something that told a story,” says 28-year-old David Lopez, a San Diego graphic designer who recently got married in a slate gray wool-silk blend with monogrammed cuffs. “It wasn’t just a suit — it was mine.”
That sentiment is everywhere. And it’s fueling one of menswear’s most surprising revivals: a sharp, confident embrace of tailored style.
The end of default dressing
For a long time, a suit was a symbol of conformity — a uniform for work, church, or court. But younger generations are flipping the script. Today’s style-conscious men are using tailoring as a form of individuality, not obligation.
“We’re seeing clients come in who’ve never owned a suit before, and they’re excited — not intimidated,” says Zoe Harper, senior stylist at Franklin & Rowe, a boutique atelier in Portland. “They want bold linings, unique fabrics, colored buttons. It’s all about creative control.”
And that creative control is driving a shift toward Custom Suits, where fit is just the beginning. Clients can now personalize everything from pocket shape to stitch color, making each garment an extension of their personality. In a world of fast fashion and mass production, customization feels like luxury redefined.
Weddings lead the way
Weddings have always been a barometer of fashion trends, and nowhere is the suit’s resurgence more visible.
According to the American Wedding Report, 2024 saw a 35% increase in grooms opting for custom or made-to-measure attire instead of traditional rentals. And it’s not just about the fit — it’s the experience.
Grooms are now booking fittings months in advance, bringing in their best men, and even selecting different cuts or colors for each groomsman. Wedding Suits have become an event of their own — not just in what’s worn, but in how they’re chosen.
“We’re making suits in terracotta, sage green, even ice blue,” says Harper. “Couples are seeing their weddings as visual storytelling. The suit is a central part of that story.”
Social media, craftsmanship, and the new prestige
The rise of social media — particularly platforms like TikTok and Instagram — has fueled this resurgence. Grooms and style influencers are sharing videos of fittings, fabric selections, and slow-motion reveals. The once-private world of tailoring is now aspirational content.
But this isn’t just a trend; it’s part of a wider return to craftsmanship. There’s a hunger for authenticity, permanence, and quality — things fast fashion can’t offer.
“When you invest in a well-made suit, it doesn’t just elevate your look. It changes how you walk into a room,” says designer Ravi Malik, whose eponymous line blends traditional tailoring with minimalist modern design. “It’s a mindset.”
A modern rite of passage
Much like getting your first watch or upgrading from your first car, owning a custom suit is becoming a cultural milestone — a quiet marker of self-awareness, intention, and style maturity.
It’s no longer about looking like your father’s generation. It’s about defining your own version of sharp.