Londoners, get ready: the City Smart wardrobe is being reinvented.
Recent reports - as well as retail sales data - suggests that we may be in the midst of a renaissance in men’s fashion.
It seems we have come full circle in the City, with the streets bustling and offices filling up - men seem to be embracing a little more formality. And I must admit, London guys are looking great!
After spending far too much of their working day at home on video calls wearing whatever came to hand from the ‘clothes chair’ we all have in the corner of the bedroom, it seems workers are hankering after the need to dress up a little, peacock a little, and are realising the importance of dressing appropriately for the day ahead.
There is a wealth of evidence linking attire and psychological state - with a freshly pressed shirt, smart trousers or well-tailored jacket helping to exude confidence; and tell the world that, in the words of Logan Roy, we’re ‘serious people’.
As an old-school tailor fond of a Windsor knot, I must admit that my heart leapt at the news, not just from a sales point of view, but from a sartorial one as well.
While I don’t foresee a return to the 1980s bold pinstripes, shoulder pads, wide legs, flowing jackets, tie and collar pins, a desire for a fresh take on enduring styles, plus more frequent sojourns to the office is driving this resurgence in smart attire.
So too a return to a spring in the step of London’s businessmen and entrepreneurs seeking the elusive edge in the uber competitive City.
A smart work wardrobe is more than just clothing; it's a statement. It tells the world you're ready to seize the day, tackle challenges, and do so with a touch of tradition and class.
If you are sitting across from your competitor in a good-looking suit and shirt (or even a smart shirt and “Finance Bro Gilet”) and they are still ‘dressing down’, psychologically, you already have the advantage.
However, dressing “appropriately” in today's working world can be challenging as there are no ‘rules’ any more.
The days of rigid dress codes are fading, replaced by a blend of formal and casual elements that can be quite difficult to navigate.
In a way, it was easier in the 1980s.
The key is versatility—having a wardrobe that can adapt from the boardroom to a relaxed after-work gathering
Men want versatility, dressing for both day and evening. Comfort and class in an easy to put together look. The challenge lies in getting it right. The Prime Minister recently proved it’s all-too-easy to look off-balance, rather than New Balance.
Nick Wheeler is Founder and Chairman of Charles Tyrwhitt
