Will the strength of the suit business continue?

Q: I read your recent interview in the New York Times on menswear trends, and the strength of the suit business. I have definitely seen this in my store, but my question is can we expect this trend to continue?

A: Menswear trends in particular tend to be long-lived, so I expect that we will see continued growth in suitings for a few more years. Two strong trends are supporting this business: First is the move to more slender silhouettes and flat front pants; second is the direction from stock suits to fancier, seasonal fabrics. If we look back at the last major trend change in suits–fuller models and pleated pants– this trend started in the ’80s and continued into the early 2000s. I would guess that there is still a lot of replacements that need to be made in your customers’ closets.