There is no denying that the tailor-made suit, once a staple in the wardrobes of the powerful and professional, has lost some of its appeal. Since 2013 alone, the US suits market – serving both men and women – has seen revenues decline by 23% from $3bn to $2.3bn. Now, having already thrown the 200-year-old menswear brand Brooks Brothers into bankruptcy, it’s feared that the pandemic could hasten that decline.
Prior to the pandemic, two-thirds of the US workforce spent four or more days a week in the office, according to PwC. However, just 21% of employees want to go back to their normal ways once Covid-19 is no longer a concern, with the majority (32%) preferring a permanent switch to remote working practices. It does beg the question — what does the future hold for made-to-measure retailers in a reality where typical workwear consists of sweatpants and comfy jumpers?