The boss of Marks & Spencer has declared that the tuxedo is back, with velvet suits a particular hit.
Chief executive Stuart Machin said suits disappeared from shelves this Christmas and sales were “boosted by the return of the tuxedo”.
Celebrities who opted for an elegant look include Daniel Craig and Jake Gyllenhaal, who have worn colorful velvet ensembles on the red carpet.
Suit sales soared 20 per cent in the three months to December 28 compared with the same period last year.
Demand plummeted during the pandemic, but celebrity styles and the return of holiday gatherings have sparked a resurgence.
Mitch Hughes, M&S men’s fashion director, said Britons have fallen back in love with James Bond’s preferred sartorial choice because it is “timeless, but guarantees a masterclass in luxury tailoring”.
The High Street stalwart is one of the country’s biggest suit sellers.
Daniel Craig attends the 15th Annual Governors Awards at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles wearing a tuxedo
Chief executive Stuart Machin (pictured) said suits disappeared from shelves this Christmas and sales were “boosted by the return of the tuxedo”
Sales soared 20 percent in the three months to December 28 compared to the same period last year (file image)
A complete look for £150 was a bestseller this Christmas, including £40 stretch trousers, a £70 matching jacket and a £40 cotton dress shirt with bow tie.
Women’s velvet suits also did well, including a popular pair of deep blue stretch trousers costing £40.
Stars like Taylor Swift and Naomi Watts are fans of this festive fabric for both suits and dresses.
Demand for suits plummeted during Covid as remote workers opted for more comfortable clothing.
Even when workers returned to the office, they opted for more casual options, like sneakers and quarter-zips.
Jake Gyllenhaal on stage during the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012 wearing a tuxedo.
Taylor Swift attends the premiere of ‘All Too Well’ in New York on November 12, 2021 wearing a velvet suit
Will Smith attends the Starlite Gala 2024 on August 4 last year in Marbella, Spain wearing a tuxedo
Actress Naomi Watts poses at the premiere of ‘The Hour of the Wolf’ during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival wearing a velvet dress
David Beckham attends the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2024 at the Royal Festival Hall on February 18 wearing a tuxedo
In 2021, M&S was forced to reduce the number of stores selling them to just 110 of its 254 stores.
Another sign that demand was going out of style is that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) squeezed demand out of the basket of goods it uses to calculate the annual inflation rate in 2021.