Formalwear Springs Anew

"Cropped jackets, longer jackets, fuller pantsthere's so much fun to be had," says stylist Ilaria Urbanati.

- Max Berlinger

A FEW YEARS back, as pandemic restrictions were lifted, Bruce Pask, then the men’s fashion director of Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, was surprised when the storied retailer experienced a run on eveningwear. Until it dawned on him that calendars were filling up with postponed celebrations.

Despite the assumption that we would never shake off our tracksuits, whenever special occasions arise most men reflexively reach for their nearest tailored two-piece in spite of all attempts to render it obsolete, including the comfortable triple whammy of streetwear, athleisure and years-long directives to stay home. The suit, it seems, will outlive us all.