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Photos courtesy DJ Scammell

A Power Suit

Published 2:56 PST, Tue December 2, 2025

FASHION FOR MEN

A Gentleman must have some power suits in their arsenal of suits.

As today’s companies accept a more relaxed dress code, the power suit might seem to some as an unnecessary thing of the past. But is that really the case?

In today’s modern dress-down world if you search on Instagram for example you will find men all over the world that are reinventing the world of power suit dressing. What is a power suit? Today’s idea of power suits are a bit different from yesterday’s power suit dressing but some things will remain the same. Let me first explain the evolution of power suit dressing of yesteryears.

HISTORY

Towards the end of the 1960’s men’s suit fashion transformed, moving away from the boxy, conservative styles with thin lapels to more bolder style, usually pinstriped or darker patterns that were very flashy and very bold.

From the 1970’s to 1990’s the power suit for men became a symbol of authority and ambition and was tailored to convey dominance in the corporate world. It was usually worn by those looking to climb the corporate ladder and make a statement of intent. The power suit worked really well for successful businessmen. A gentleman wearing a power suit looked the part and would be treated with respect and also it would be fair to say a good role model for apprentices who wanted to emulate a person of success. Lawyers, salesmen, stock brokers, and politicians who wore a powerful suit would likely be more intimidating and successful than people who wore a less fashionable wardrobe.

The power suit was defined by a tailoring style that included wider lapels, more loose relaxed fits, heavier shoulder padding and longer baggier lengths, as well as longer ties. A power suit would have a much sharper look than a basic suit and tie. Double breasted, or 3 piece the suit would be paired with suspenders and shirts that featured pinstripes and solid collars and cuffs. Very much like the fictional movie character Gordon Gekko portrayed by Michael Douglas in the movie Wall Street (1988) or Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in movie The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013) that takes place in the decade of the 1990’s.

Moving into the first 2 decades of 21st century however, the art of wearing power suits began to sadly decline when people started to wear less dressier clothes in the workplace. Not all however, Lawyers, and some professionals stayed strong when it came to fashion in the business world, but most would settle for suits that were off the rack. Dress codes really began to decline with more people working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic and when companies announced their back-to-work rule people were much less interested in the art of dressing their best to make a great first impression.

RESURGENCE

The good news is when the world opened back up again after Covid-19 pandemic powerful suits began to make comebacks although nowhere near where they used to be at their peak in the 1980’s and 1990's. But the complete resurgence story is still unfinished.

The modern power suit is also a lot different from the power suit of yesteryears. Today my own perception of a power suit is a made to measure suit. Meaning your measurements are sent to a factory where the suit is made custom with machine precision to the fabrics and buttons the customer has chosen. Final adjustments and tailoring is then done in the shop with the customer when the ordered suit returns from the factory. Or Bespoke which is a suit that is tailored from scratch to your body and stitched by hand by a tailor with no machines. Certainly not something off the rack that is baggier In the legs and arms and shoulders. Selecting a fabric that is pinstriped or a bold pattern and adding the details like wide lapel, sometimes pic stitching on the seams and lapels and most noticeably the fit which is more slim fitting depending on your body type.

There are really 5 reasons a modern day power suit has made a comeback.

1. Demonstrates a level of respect.

2. Attracts positive attention. People will gravitate to you and this will help enhance your network and your business and social opportunities.

3. Enhances first impressions.

4. A presence of confidence and credibility.

5. When you look good, you feel good and the power of confidence can be an unstoppable force.

There are now many great custom made to measure and bespoke suit shops that are now in the greater Vancouver area.

The demand for quality suits has gone up more and more now that people once again appreciate the value of dressing for success for the right occasion or environment.