27 Unspoken Suit Rules Every Man Should Know (2025)

 

Source: buzzfeed.com

1. The width of the tie should match the width of the lapel. It’s all about BALANCE. 

2. In general, thin lapels are more modern. Wide lapels are more old-school, Mad Men style. So choose your look accordingly. 

3. A pocket square adds an extra level of polish, but make sure it doesn’t match your tie in either pattern or fabric choice. Before you go totally conservative, remember that the pocket square is where you get the most freedom and the one place you get to add a little pizzazz to your suit. 

4. When buying an off-the-rack suit, the number one thing to check is how the shoulders fit. Shoulder pads should end at the shoulders. The shoulders are the hardest to tailor, so make sure they don’t stick out or stick up.

5. A collar gap between your jacket’s lapels and your shirt’s collar can signify an ill-fitting jacket. 

6. Opt for a charcoal or gray suit over black, unless you’re attending a funeral. Dark gray is more versatile and goes with more colours. 

7. Your belt should be fairly thin and the same colour as your shoes. Union Made makes really great belts in a variety of leather and metal finishes.

8. You should match your shoes to the colour of your suit using this guide:

Pht credit: katershop

9. Double vents in the back are more modern and fashionable. 

10. For a more casual, trendy look, opt for a single-button peak-lapel jacket.

11. If you’re going for more formal business attire, opt for a double-button, notched lapel jacket. 

12. The Savile Row Fold keeps your dress pants from falling off the hanger. 

13. You should be able to slip your hand between your chest and your buttoned jacket such that it feels snug, but with room to move.

14. Always unbutton your suit before sitting down, or you risk ruining it. 

15. The top button of a two-button (or the middle button of a three-button) should fall at or above the navel. 

16. Always go with the classic windsor knot for your tie, but use the size of your head to determine whether you should go half or full windsor. 

17. If you’re wearing a vest, always keep the bottom button unbuttoned. But plenty of men break this rule and are still able to pull off the three-piece beautifully. 

18. There are practical reasons for vests beyond just how they look. A vest is best worn with single-breasted suits (so it’s actually visible). if you’re going to be wearing your suit in a cold climate, a vest can add a lot of warmth. It also adds a formal touch to your suit. 

19. Sleeve cuffs should be exposed about half an inch. For a harmonious look, try to match the visible cuff length to the amount of collar that is visible at the back of the neck. 

20. When you get your suit home, you’ll need a seam ripper or a small, sharp pair of scissors. Unstitch the jacket’s pockets, remove the tack stitches from the jacket’s vents, and remove the little embroidered label from the jacket’s left sleeve. Do this very carefully to ensure you don’t actually rip the fabric or neighboring threads. 

21. Make sure that your socks are long enough that there’s no exposed leg when sitting down. 

22. Your tie should always be darker than your dress shirt. 

23. The suit jacket should be just long enough to cover your pants zipper and butt. 

24. Your tie should JUST reach the waistband of your trousers, or be slightly shorter. 

25. For a more fashion-forward look, the trouser hem should hit right at the top of your shoe. 

26. If you sweat a lot, wear an undershirt. Preferably one with a deep neck so it doesn’t peek through. Nothing will cheapen the appearance of a suit more than a glimpse of undershirt.

27. Finally, go for the dimple. The dimple is the little hollow beneath the knot of your tie, and it gives a slightly disheveled yet polished appearance to your finished look.  

What is Gen Alpha and Gen Z Wearing in 2025?

Explore Gen Alpha and Gen Z fashion, from the trends to the vibe. 

GEN Z 

    There’s no denying that Gen Z has strongly influenced fashion trends in recent years.Born between 1997 and the early 2010s, Gen Z accounts for 30% of the world's population. With the oldest members turning 27 this year, the group prefers spending on fashion more than any other type of entertainment. Gen Z prioritise authenticity and personal identity. They value sustainability and humanity, which also appear in their fashion trends. It's a dynamic blend of individuality and self-expression. 

    This generation embraces diverse styles, from vintage-inspired looks to modern streetwear, reflecting their desire to stand out.

FIRST THINGS FIRST 

Timothée Chalamet leaned the way of the baby girl trend with a mauve Tom Ford tuxedo jacket against bare skin and a custom Cartier necklace at the London premiere of Wonka.
Photo: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

1. Sustainable fashion: Any clothing or accessories made from recycled materials or following sustainable practices are a big yes.
    
2.  Gender-fluid fashion: Gen Z is at the forefront of the gender-fluid fashion movement, which embraces gender flexibility and inclusivity. To put it simply: think Billie Eilish.
    
3. The New Minimalism: Despite the bold side of Gen Z fashion, there is also a new minimalism which is different from what millennials know from 2014. Gen Z infuses minimalism with individuality and personality, and it’s anything but basic.

4. Streetwear:

Gen Z streetwear fashion trends are inspired by the ’90s and early 2000s hip-hop sports and rave culture. It’s all about wearing what you want mixing styles and representing inclusivity diversity and equity in fashion. A typical Gen Z streetwear outfit consists of oversized clothing such as custom t-shirts baggy pants custom hoodies trainers. Nike and Adidas are considered as Gen Z’s favourite brands. (As a Gen Y, New Balance is still my favourite) 

5. Retro styles and nostalgia: 

Gen Z is bringing back ’90s grunge ’70s fashion chic and ’60s mod aesthetics driving the revival of vintage clothing. But they’ve added their own touch.

6. Athleisure: 

With the rise of this trend popular brands like Lululemon and Adidas have totally nailed the athleisure game offering fashionable yet functional options.

7. Customisation: 

Customized garments and accessories allow Gen Zers to express their unique stories and highlight their individuality. Personalized fashion also allows Generation Z to break free from store-bought clothing.

8. Techwear

9. Cottagecore: 

Cottagecore is a Gen Z fashion trend that’s recently soared on TikTok. It’s most popular among young women who romanticize farm life. Cottagecore fashion typically includes loose-fitting flowy dresses and skirts often reminiscent of housework wear from the 1900s–50s. It’s also inspired by the English upper class from those times. The clothing is usually layered and features big pockets puffy sleeves and button blouses.

10. Old money:

Old money often goes hand-in-hand with minimalism. To put it simply: Everything about equestrian show or Wimbledon guests. An essential old money outfit will include simple but high-quality on-trend pieces. You won't find any baggy jeans or flare pants here - it's all about subtlety.

GEN ALPHA 

    Cassandra Napoli, a senior strategist for WGSN Insight, explains this to mean they will grow up living fluidly between the boundaries of reality and fantasy, between IRL and URL. "Alphas are individualistic, hyper-empathetic and wellness-oriented, like their millennial parents," says Napoli. "They are the most diverse and inclusive generation to ever exist." Source: fashionista. com

    "The youngest consumers will be more discerning with their time, money and attention," says Abigail Bailey, managing editor at consumer-insights consultancy Coller Davis & Co, "finding it cringe to be too over-exposed online or too on-trend." Source: fashionista. com

    The real answer for Gen Alpha fashion is wear whatever you want and be confident. Alphas don't try hard to look alpha. They generally don't care about what they wear our you wear :) But just to frame it a little bit, here are some highlights:

• My personal opinion, they might be the generation who is into cosmetics most. Any skincare or makeup products is well accepted by Gen Alpha. 

• Gen Alpha Boys wear plain black and white t-shirts with a chain or watchLong fit t-shirts

• Watch, chain, hat, bracelets, necklaces, earrings… Any accessories should be added. 

• Gen Alpha Girls: Coquette. Sweet and flirty. 

• Cottagecore: You may think of Cottagecore as so 2020 but for Gen Alpha it’s still very much in vogue. You can see the detailed explanation above at Gen Z fashion. 

• E-Girl: E-Girl fashion is a combination of punk and early 2000s style characterized by bold makeup fun hair colours and edgy clothing. E-girls wear baggy thrift-store finds crop tops platform shoes plaid miniskirts pigtails and anime-inspired makeup.

• Aesthetic-Aesthetic (a.k.a. Vanilla Girl): This style is all about the beige the neutrals the cozy the soft and the mellow—hence Vanilla Girl.

• Kawaii: The Kawaii aesthetic which is also a Japanese street style look.

• Preppy: Takes the place for ‘’Old money’’. 

After Gen Alpha what comes next? 

    Enter: Gen Beta.

    

Born between the mid-2020s and 2040 as the kids of the chronically online Gen Z the Betas will be AI-first which is already shaping how they live learn work and shop.

Top 6 Use Cases of AI in Fashion in 2025

I was searching for sustainability and AI for the marketing industry in fashion, I came acrross to a great article.  Top 6 Use Cases of AI in Fashion in 2025 on aimultiple. com by Cem Dilmegani with Sıla Ermut with real life examples. 

Here is the summary of the article. Click here to read more. 

Top 6 Use Cases of AI in Fashion in 2025 

According to McKinsey, generative AI could add up to $275 billion to operating profits in the fashion, apparel, and luxury sectors over the next 5 years.1 AI in fashion promises creativity and efficiency by transforming unstructured data like text, images, videos into innovative outputs like 3D designs and virtual models. 

• Improving design process with artificial intelligence 
• Improved production lines 
• Trend forecasting 
• Improved fashion retail 
• Higher personalisation 
• Increased sustainability

Making Sustainable Choices in Men's Fashion ( How & Why )

Pht credit: tontoton.com

Let’s start with a non-fun fact! It takes over 4,000 litres of water to make a pair of jeans and most of that water is not recycled - indeed, one-fifth of all wastewater globally originates from fashion. The industry is also responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions, that’s more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. The entire fashion industry has been vilified for years. Yet despite the backlash, most fast-fashion companies have continued to grow. 

Yes, maybe as humans, we individually try to help the earth by buying coffees in recycled cup or taking our own bottles to baristas but as long as it’s not done in mass, I don’t think we can do much with our little hearts. 

According to Earth.org, fashion – encompassing the sourcing of raw materials, design processes, manufacturing, shipping, sales, stores, etc. – is estimated to be responsible for around 10 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions, 10 per cent of ocean microplastics, and 20 per cent of water pollution. 

In recent years, sustainable fashion has transformed from a niche market to a driving force in the menswear industry. Sustainable fashion goes beyond trends; it’s about reducing waste, minimising carbon footprints, and creating clothing that lasts. The demand for eco-friendly clothing has grown rapidly. However, there is often a gap between consumers' positive attitudes towards sustainability and their actual purchasing behaviour. In this blog post, we will explore how we as consumers can make sustainable choices in men's fashion and bridge this gap. Because if we as a big group of consumers insist on this, the brands would feel the urge to evolve into it more. By understanding the preferences, values, and concerns of consumers, brands can tailor their sustainable offerings to meet their needs. 

In 2023, the global sustainable fashion market was valued at around £6.2 billion. By 2030, it’s forecast to top £26 billion. 

What we can do: 

• Use social influence √
• Support ethical brands √
• Leverage the domino effect √
• Opt for timeless and versatile pieces √
• Choose sustainable fabrics and materials √
• Buy more second-hand and vintage options √

INVESTING IN QUALITY & CREATING A LONG LASTING VERSATILE WARDROBE 

We can increasingly opting for versatile pieces that can be worn repeatedly with minimal effort in decision-making focusing on quality over quantity and environmentally conscious choices. This approach involves curating a selection of timeless, versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched, reducing the need for frequent purchases. 

One key trend is the adoption of organic and recycled fabrics, such as organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo. These fabrics are staples in men’s fashion, replacing traditional materials. By choosing companies committed to ethical and sustainable practices, we can help prove that stylish, conscientious clothing is both possible and accessible. 

There are plenty of options from ethically-sourced sportswear to up-cycled sunglasses, plant-based skincare to sheep-friendly knits. So if you’re looking to make a change in the way you buy, this is where to start. 

1. FIRST & most important: Any second-hand shopping place. Even Zara has a second-hand shopping section on its app. 
2. Denim - Organsk 
3. Knitwear - Community Clothing 
4. Trainers - Veja 
5. Sunglasses - Monc 
6. Basics, underwear & socks - Organic Basics 
7. Outdoor Jackets - Patagonia 
8. Every day staples - Everlane 
9. Affordable staples - Quince 
10. Levi’s Secondhand

COOL HOMEWARE you didn't know you needed

No home is complete without a standout piece that has all your guests talking and gives you an extra happiness to have and display it :) We have just what you need from various shops and brands!

LINK: https://brand-store.com/editors-pick/cool-homewareyou-didnt-know-you-needed/240 
 

French Connection Wooden Candle Holder

Wooden Candle Holder is set to be your favourite room's new favourite furnishing flame. Its unique and statement shaping stands in a naturally rustic finish, versatile for every room in the house, and poised ready to host your next candle, though offers itself to be a whimsical addition to the décor solo too.

SHOP:

- French Connection Wooden Candle Holder

Dunelm Nautical Ladder Shelves

This five-shelf ladder is perfect for adding a stylish storage solution to your bathroom. This ladder is ideal for holding towels, bathroom products, plants, ornaments and more so you can personalize them how you would like. This ladder is made from durable MDF that is finished in water-resistant paint making it perfect for the bathroom.

SHOP:

- Dunelm Nautical Ladder Shelves

Soho Home Huxley Cut Crystal Coupe Glass, Set of Four

Huxley crystal glassware has been crafted to elevate your drinking experience. The intricate design is inspired by Little House Mayfair as well as classic Regency-era design, with attention spent on every piece by a set of skilled craftspeople in Slovenia. Each glass is cut, polished and finished by hand to achieve brilliant clarity and sparkle, with a satisfying weighty feel. Featured is this set of four Champagne coupes to add to your at-home bar.

SHOP:

- Soho Home Huxley Cut Crystal Coupe Glass, Set of Four

MELITTA Avanza F270-100 Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

Brew your own coffee like a barista with the Melitta Avanza F270-100 Bean to Cup Coffee Machine and enjoy a variety of milk-based specialities. Create lightly frothed milk with the Auto-Cappuccinatore and set the quantity you'd like on the simple dial.

SHOP:

- MELITTA Avanza F270-100 Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

Dunelm Carrara Marble Base Floor Lamp with Table

Featuring the stunning Carrara Marble Multi-Functional Table and Floor Lamp, beautifully crafted with a marble table top and base, finished with satin Silver metal work and a White Cotton mix cylinder shade. This unique piece is both practical and stylish, perfect for adding a luxurious touch to your home décor.

SHOP:

- Dunelm Carrara Marble Base Floor Lamp with Table

SHOP MORE:

Source: Brand-Store.com