From conversations with tailors across the world, I keep hearing the same thing: suit orders are slow, and many shops are struggling just to stay afloat. That got me thinking—why is this happening? So I dug into the data, and what I found confirmed what many of us already feel: formal suiting demand has shrunk dramatically. Casual dress codes, hybrid work, inflation, and higher import costs have all played a part. But don’t get me wrong—tailoring isn’t dead. Far from it. The craft just needs to evolve to meet today’s realities.
The numbers tell a sobering story. In 2022, the UK’s Office for National Statistics removed men’s suits from its “inflation basket” of common consumer goods—suits simply weren’t being bought often enough to represent everyday spending. UK spending on men’s suits fell from £460 million in 2017 to only £279 million in 2021, with little sign of full recovery since. In fact, during the pandemic, the market bottomed out at just £157 million in 2020 before a partial rebound. Globally, the story is similar: U.S. sales are down by about a quarter since 2014, while some European markets have seen drops closer to 40%. Industry analysts estimate overall global suit sales are still down 30–40% compared to pre-COVID levels.
Even the giants haven’t been immune. Brooks Brothers filed for bankruptcy, Thomas Pink shuttered, and even Savile Row institutions have had to rethink their strategies. If legacy brands with global recognition are struggling, it’s no surprise independent tailors feel the pinch too.
Several forces are reshaping customer wardrobes:
Casualization of work attire: The old “five-day suit week” is gone. Offices are more relaxed, and a blazer with chinos is now plenty professional in most industries. For many professionals, the idea of wearing a suit every day feels excessive when a smart-casual look is more than acceptable.
Remote/hybrid work: With fewer days in the office, customers simply don’t need as many suits. One or two in rotation is often enough to cover the occasional in-person meeting. The hybrid schedule has permanently reduced the baseline demand for formal workwear.
Generational and lifestyle changes: Younger professionals see comfort and personal style as more important than conformity. Many opt for versatile outfits that can transition from work to social events without needing a suit. As a result, suits feel outdated unless reserved for very specific occasions.
Economic pressures: Inflation has tightened wallets worldwide, making discretionary purchases like tailored suits less of a priority. Customers are cutting back, while tariffs and supply chain disruptions have pushed fabric and production costs up. Tailors find themselves caught between rising costs and increasingly price-sensitive clients.
What does this mean for you as a custom tailor?
Declining daily demand: Everyday suiting isn’t the staple it once was. Where once clients might order several suits a year for work rotation, now many professionals feel they can get by with one or two, or none at all. This means fewer repeat orders and less consistent business for tailors.
Shifting customer expectations: Clients increasingly want versatile, multipurpose clothing that transitions easily from office to social settings. They are less likely to commission a traditional navy or gray suit and more likely to ask for separates or casual jackets that fit a range of occasions.
Squeezed margins: Higher fabric and labor costs make it harder to stay profitable without raising prices. Inflation, shipping fees, and tariffs all feed into increased expenses, and tailors face tough decisions between passing costs on to clients or accepting thinner margins.
Event dependency: Weddings and celebrations now drive much of the demand. While this provides spikes of business, these occasions can be unpredictable and seasonal. Tailors reliant on event-driven orders may find revenue streams uneven and difficult to forecast.
Digital adaptation: Customers increasingly expect digital convenience. From discovering services online to booking consultations virtually, they look for seamless experiences. Without a strong online presence and digital tools, many tailors risk being invisible to younger generations who research and shop primarily online.
It’s not all bad news. Tailors who adapt can not only survive but thrive in this new market. Here are a few strategies:
The craft of tailoring remains deeply valuable—it just needs to align with today’s lifestyles. Clients still crave garments that make them feel confident and unique; they just expect them to be more versatile, comfortable, and convenient. Adaptability is resilience, and the tailors who embrace these shifts will be the ones who thrive in the years ahead.
If you’re a tailor or couturier looking to modernize your business—whether through new product offerings, digital tools, or customer engagement—We’d love to help. Let’s work together to make sure your tailoring business doesn’t just weather the change, but grows stronger because of it.Ta
Written By:
CEO and Co-Founder
Drop us a message. We’re always interested in how custom fashion brands like yours are navigating change. Let’s keep the conversation going..
