The boss of Marks & Spencer has declared that the tuxedo is back as velvet suits prove a particular hit.
Chief executive Stuart Machin said suits flew off the shelves this Christmas, with sales ‘driven by the return of the tux’.
Celebrities to opt for a suave look include Daniel Craig and Jake Gyllenhaal, who have worn colourful velvet ensembles on the red carpet.
Suit sales soared 20 per cent over the three months to December 28 compared with the same period last year.
Demand plunged in the pandemic but celebrity stylings plus a return of Christmas gatherings has sparked a revival.
Mitch Hughes, director of menswear at M&S, said that Brits have once again fallen in love with the outfit choice favoured by James Bond because it is ‘timeless, but guaranteed to deliver a masterclass in luxury tailoring’.
The High Street stalwart is one of the country’s biggest sellers of suits.
Daniel Craig attends the 15th annual Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles in a tux
Chief executive Stuart Machin (pictured) said suits flew off the shelves this Christmas, with sales ‘driven by the return of the tux’
Sales soared 20 per cent over the three months to December 28 compared with the same period last year (file image)
A complete look for £150 was a bestseller this Christmas – including £40 stretchy trousers, a matching £70 jacket and a £40 cotton dress shirt with bow tie.
Velvet suits for women also did well, including a popular pair of £40 vivid blue elasticated trousers.
Stars including Taylor Swift and Naomi Watts are fans of the festive fabric for both suits and dresses.
Demand for suits plunged during Covid as remote workers opted for more comfortable clothes.
Even when workers returned to the office, they opted for more casual options such as trainers 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 tux
Taylor Swift attends the ‘All Too Well’ New York Premiere 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 tux
Actress Naomi Watts poses at the premiere of ‘The Wolf Hour’ during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival wearing a velvet suit
David Beckham attends the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2024 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 18 wearing a tux
In 2021, M&S was forced to reduce the number of shops selling them to just 110 of its 254 stores.
Another sign the suit was falling out of style, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) kicked the suit out of the basket of goods it uses to calculate the annual inflation rate in 2021.