Suits aren't dead; they're just more fun
A look at four brands reimagining how to wear the suit differently
I’ve been thinking more recently about the evolution of suits and how there’s a modern deviation from suits the “traditional” way. So I wanted to highlight four brands (you may know) I love that have tailoring in their DNA, but each one presents it in a slightly different way.
Stòffa — New York, NY
This one doesn’t nearly get the flowers it deserves among the masses, and that’s partially because they’re not for the masses.
Still, Stòffa is phenomenal.
Started by Nicholas Ragosta and Agyesh Madan, Stòffa is the product of two friends and tailoring OGs who’ve spent their careers at well-respected establishments like The Armoury, Ring Jacket, and Isaia.
What sets Stoffa apart from other brands is, well… everything. They put a level of quality and thought into their products, creative direction, design, and fabrics.
There’s a slowness to how the brand operates.
They move quietly, but the work speaks for itself, leaving you with this sense of aspiration that few other brands could render.
I feel about Stòffa the way I feel about Brunello. It’s that kind of brand that feels like you want to be wearing their stuff in your older years.
Factor’s — Atlanta, Georgia
To understand Factor’s, you need to understand Matt Lambert, who spent a decade as the legendary Sid Mashburn’s righthand man. While Mashburn—a menswear legend known for merging Italian tailoring with southern sensibilities—is where Matt learned the craft, what Factor’s represents is something much different.
Factor’s is an earnest amalgamation of Matt’s world—flair, beatup cars, undeniable funk, true leather, and rock music.
What you get with the product are softer shapes, long leather blazers, and loose-fitting pieces that drape nicely. The conventional suit details are designed to be more adaptable. Wool and mohair blazers with wide lapels, color pops, and flared trousers create a lovely nod to the 70s.
Ultimately, having a brand like Factor’s in the suiting picture is refreshing, infusing the best kind of rock aesthetic back into our wardrobes, but still blending the structure of a traditional tailored garment
Husbands — Paris, France
I’ve been following the brand for a few years now, and they’ve easily become one of my favorites. The HUSBANDS brand has a youthful energy, and it feels fun in a way that few other brands can inject into their products.
As a brand that draws sartorial guidance from both British and Italian tailoring, HUSBANDS merges the best of both to create silhouettes and shapes that are funky and chic.
But to Nicolas Gabard (HUSBANDS’ founder) and his team, this isn’t simply a costume; it’s a reflection and appreciation for time and place, and how one weaves stylistic and cultural references into their clothes.
Similar to Factor’s, if you look closely, you can notice subtle references from the 70s, where Gabard and the team often lean into creatively.
That time and place is groovy. It’s The Smiths on repeat, black-and-white Truffaut, trench coats on a gloomy day, Chelsea boots with flared trousers.
It’s brown and olive and sand and beige.
And it’s a reminder that so much of what we wear is an amalgamation of everything we consume, no matter how niche it may be.
Drake’s — London, UK
Look, I’ve written about our beloved Drakes a handful of times, so there’s not much to say that hasn’t been said. They’re just good.
Good at design, styling, storytelling. The works.
Their creative direction is vibrant, quirky, fun, and inviting. It creates an aspirational look that feels attainable, different from the way traditional luxury brands make you feel
They have a connection and mutual respect for other aspects of menswear, from vintage to prep to sneakers, and how they blend these aesthetics into their own tradition, reminding you that you can dress up again and actually be fun.
Digging in a little more —
Their focus on shape and fit is on point. How a piece fits can make or break the fit itself. Making garments that drape accordingly is difficult to do well.
Here are some indicators that Drake’s understands this:
Neapolitan, soft shoulders (like it blends with the skin)
Outerwear angles away from the body
Gradual taper in the pant with no break
Leg length is perfect for loafers, boots, et
