'Elevate their sartorial game': What menswear experts want you to know about dressing in 2025

A milestone in tailoring, a tour of sartorial splendor and a pair of unfortunate jeans.

Menswear had a year that saw self-expression reign and the sands of the business continue to shift as tastes evolve.

High fashion moments saw the continued casualization of the suit with callbacks to the wider lapels and color palate of the 1970s, while the mass market continued to see silhouettes ease away shrunken style of the 2010s.

But what does it all mean for you?

USA TODAY asked menswear experts Derek Guy and Kirby Allison what was important in 2024 and what is next for 2025.

Here's what they said.

What was the biggest trend in menswear in 2024?

Derek Guy, menswear writer at large also known as the Twitter Menswear Guy: As someone who writes about men's clothing for a living, I often think that trend reporting is fake. More than half the time, when I read something and I look outside, I don't see any of those trends.

I do think that there are small, micro trends within the community of people who are really into menswear (like) the return of 1970s sleaze. Bell bottom trousers, boot cut pants, rayon shirts unbuttoned to the person's navel, these really wide lapels and giant sunglasses. I think that is coming back for people that are obsessed with menswear. There's been a Western wear revival, so a lot of people buying cowboy boots, snap button denim Western shirts and suede trucker jackets.

Largely the real trend in this last year, and also for the last about, I would say, eight years is a shift away from slim fit, and that's where I think the real "shift" is happening. Not just for guys who are into menswear, but the larger population.

A lot of guys are starting to explore the idea that clothes do not have to be suctioned onto your body. They are feeling a little bit more comfortable, both physically and mentally, exploring things that have looser silhouettes, and exploring the idea of different shapes in their closet.

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Kirby Allison, host of the menswear focused, Kirby Allison YouTube channel: Reflecting on 2024, the largest trend I noticed was the growing popularity of double-breasted jackets.

If 2023 was the return of the suit, 2024 marked an evolution of men's style to an even more refined level.

Amongst my best-dressed friends in London beautifully tailored double-breasted jackets became a staple, signaling a renewed appreciation for elegance and classic tailoring.

Another standout trend was the rise of velvets. These are modern interpretations of the traditional velvet smoking jacket but without the satin lapel or decorative cording.

Worn as an alternative to the tuxedo jacket, they provide a youthful yet sophisticated look perfect for dinner parties and evenings out. They are also much more versatile and can be worn both for black tie or for a simple night out.

What is the most important thing to know about menswear heading into 2025?

Allison: The most important thing to know for 2025 is that we are seeing a continued trend of blending of the lines but instead of going the way casualwear it's happening within formalwear.

I feel like velvet is a great example of that, where a jacket that would traditionally not appropriate for black tie is being welcomed into the dining room.

Whenever you think of 2025, my challenge to everyone would be to not be afraid to dress up, have fun and play around with jackets, pocket squares, different patterns and just elevate their sartorial game.

Guy: The most important thing heading into 2025 is something that I've been beating the drum on for ever since I've been writing: you have to support the businesses that bring you value.

That might be certain brands, that might be certain shops, if you like certain writers, you should support them by telling others about you know this writer and their articles.

Going into 2025 there's a lot of uncertainty over Trump's possible tariff plans. There's a lot of uncertainty about where the economy is going to be headed. Possible layoffs within the government, what shocks will there be for the rest of the economy?

With all the uncertainty, more now than ever before, you have to really think about what businesses you want to stick see stick around.

In the 15 years or so that I've been writing about menswear, I've seen countless factory closures. This past year the Garland Shirt Company, which was the shirt manufacturing arm for Brooks Brothers (based in Garland, North Carolina), finally shuttered years after Brooks Brothers filed for bankruptcy in 2020.

If there is a brand that gives you look books, whether through Instagram or through, you know, their website that you take inspiration from, consider buying something from them every once in a while, and at full price, because at 50% off people are not making money. If there's certain stores that give you value in terms of introducing you to new brands or helping you find the right size, support them with your business.

If you like going on walks and seeing the diversity of small mom and pop shops, and you don't want to see them taken over by corporate chains, then consider buying whatever it is inside that they sell, even if you even if you could get it cheaper on Amazon.

Your business is important and you should support those companies that bring you value.

Guy names Colman Domingo best dressed of year

In an article published by luxury retailer Mr. Porter Friday, Guy named actor Colman Domingo the best dressed man of the year.

Guy said in a tweet that the outfit Domingo wore to the Critic's Choice Awards in January was, "one of the best three fits of the last decade."

Other fashion plates put forward in the article, by contributors other than Guy, include actor Harris Dickinson, rapper A$AP Rocky and Tom Ford creative director Haider Ackermann.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What menswear experts want you to know about dressing, style in 2025