Suits are less popular due to the widespread casualization of workplace dress codes, accelerated by the pandemic and remote work, shifting cultural norms towards comfort, and the rise of tech/startup cultures that value individuality over formality. People now prefer versatile, comfortable clothes like "business casual" or athleisure, viewing suits as overly formal, expensive, and high-maintenance for daily wear, though they remain important for specific formal events or high-stakes business settings.
With that said, suits went out of style because they're expensive and impractical. Most men would need multiple suits that cost $500 or more, were uncomfortable, and required dry cleaning. The fabric and stitching is relatively weak and getting a pocket caught on the arm of a chair could easily tear it.
It is not your imagination — and to be fair, suits never really went away. They just became less de rigueur, even in white-collar professional environments, as casual Friday became casual everyday (the exception being Washington, D.C., the last bastion of the classic suit).
The Ivy League style of simplified, understated suits and casual clothing was popular for young men from the mid-1950s until the end of the 1960s, when it was supplanted by the flared, colorful styles of the peacock revolution and the influences of the hippie counterculture.
“Suits” begins to rely more on recycled plotlines and unnecessary drama, making the final stretch painful to watch. Just as how Harvey overthrew Jessica to become managing partner, Louis does the same only about two seasons later.
Sarah Rafferty and Gabriel Macht, who starred on Suits as Donna and Harvey, have been friends since 1993.
Suits season 7 is the worst season of the show, marked by the departure of one of its main characters and the lack of focus on legal cases. Season 8 of Suits felt repetitive and lacked the appeal of its predecessors, with new characters that weren't well-received.
The "5 suit rule" is a men's style guideline, popularized by Steve Harvey, suggesting that owning five essential suits—black, navy, gray, brown, and tan—allows you to create numerous outfits (often cited as 75+) by mixing and matching the jackets and pants with basic shirts (white, cream, powder blue) for maximum versatility. It's a strategy to build a foundational wardrobe with versatile pieces that can be combined to form many different looks.
History. The Great Male Renunciation began in the mid-18th century, inspired by the ideals of the Enlightenment; clothing that signaled aristocratic status fell out of style in favour of functional, utilitarian garments.
Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) left Suits after Season 7 because actor Patrick J. Adams wanted to pursue other opportunities, felt his character's arc was complete, and was struggling with mental health issues, including depression and excessive drinking, during that time; additionally, co-star Meghan Markle (Rachel Zane) also departed to marry Prince Harry, which influenced the decision as their characters' storyline was intertwined.
The 3-3-3 clothing rule is a simple styling method for creating many outfits from few items: choose 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes, which allows for 27 potential combinations (3x3x3) and reduces decision fatigue, often used for travel or building a minimalist capsule wardrobe. It's a versatile concept, sometimes expanded to include 3 layers (like jackets or cardigans) for even more looks, making dressing easier by focusing on mix-and-match versatility with core pieces.
In 2025, the modern power suit is all about subtle sophistication. Look for suits in classic colors like navy and charcoal, but with a twist: slim lapels, a slightly shorter jacket length, and flat-front trousers are in vogue. Maintaining a sharp, clean line that exudes confidence without appearing overly traditional.
Have you ever thought about how a CEO's outfits affect how their employees see them and their company? Gone are the days when top executives were expected to wear tailored suits and ties every day. Instead, many CEOs are opting for a more casual dress code.
The 3-color rule for men is a simple guideline to keep outfits visually balanced and stylish by limiting yourself to a maximum of three colors, often using a dominant neutral, a secondary complementary color, and a smaller pop of accent color, creating a clean and cohesive look without looking overly busy or like a "walking color wheel". It helps with mixing and matching, especially for capsule wardrobes, and involves choosing a base, a supporting tone, and an accent through accessories or textures.
The world's perception of you changes when you wear a suit. People tend to take you more seriously and often, look at you with more respect. There's a reason people wear suits to interviews – you look more professional and respectable. This can lead to major promotions at work and growth.
What to Wear Instead of a Suit
Gen Z men's fashion emphasizes self-expression through oversized streetwear, gender-fluid elements, sustainability (thrifting/ethical brands), and comfort-focused athleisure, heavily influenced by TikTok trends with baggy jeans, graphic tees, chunky sneakers, and vintage vibes, mixing high-low fashion for a unique, authentic look. Key pieces include baggy jeans, hoodies, vintage jerseys, beanies, and accessories like pearl necklaces or unique eyewear, often incorporating retro '90s/'00s aesthetics.
American culture has become more informal and also less trusting of the type of authority that demands suits. Especially on the west coast, wearing a suit often looks like a sign of conformity rather than success.
TIL that one individual, Beau Brummell, is largely responsible for the modern suit becoming the standard formal dress of western men for the next 200 years, replacing stockings.
Yes, $200 can be good for a suit if you need it for occasional wear, entry-level jobs, or as a first suit, but expect poly-blends, a basic fit, and lower longevity; it's a budget-friendly option for events, but for frequent use or superior quality/fit, saving for a $400-$800+ suit is better, as $200 suits often have fused construction and plastic buttons, unlike higher-end options.
Sounds clever until you actually try it. Black suits are too formal. Tan and brown are seasonal.
For anyone looking to begin or refresh their suit collection, charcoal, navy, and black are the first three suit colors every gentleman should own. These colors provide versatility, elegance, and adaptability for various occasions while setting the foundation for a stylish wardrobe.
No, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) and Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty) are not married in real life; Gabriel Macht is married to actress Jacinda Barrett (who played Harvey's love interest Zoe Lawford on Suits), while Sarah Rafferty has been married to her Yale sweetheart Santtu Seppälä since 2001, but they are good friends. The actors have a close, long-standing friendship, but their characters' romantic relationship on the show is separate from their real-life marital statuses, though it's amusing to fans that Gabriel's real wife appeared as a love interest on the show.