With major companies such as HSBC and John Lewis requiring employees to return to the office, athletic wear is being replaced by formal attire.
The statement is made by Marks & Spencer, indicating that its customers have rated it as more fashionable than Zara for the first time following a significant transformation in its clothing line.
The high street store is focusing on men looking to upgrade their professional attire in its autumn and winter collections - even as uncertainty looms over the employment sector.
It has experienced an 8 per cent rise in suit sales during the last year, now selling over half a million units annually.
And it has enlisted model David Gandy as its ambassador for tailoring and the representative for an upcoming Jaeger campaign. M&S is relying on sophisticated attire to enhance men's clothing sales.
Mitch Hughes, head of men's fashion, stated: 'Men's formal attire remains a key area of growth for us, as men aim to enhance their office outfits.'
However, the pandemic has still left some impact, as Hughes notes there has been a move 'towards more smart-casual, adaptable clothing choices'.
More people today prefer to wear a smart blazer and trousers with a casual T-shirt and sneakers, as opposed to the formal shirt and sophisticated shoes from previous years.
This was evident in 2022 when the Office for National Statistics excluded suits from the collection of items used to determine the annual cost.inflation rate in 2022.
It substituted them with a "formal jacket or blazer."
Hughes stated: 'Elegant separates that adapt seamlessly between the office, weekends, and special events are essential, and our new range embodies this through breathable materials, stretch technology, and contemporary cuts that emphasize comfort, mobility, and fashion.'
With numerous companies implementing large-scale layoffs due to rising expenses, employees have been portrayed as striving to hold on to their positions in "the great stay."
This stands in contrast to the 'great resignation' phenomenon that took place during the pandemic.
M&S has increased its portion of the men's suits market from 14.2% last year to 19.4% for the year ending April 2025.
Its latest collection features a £120 washable suit and a £28 smart pant available in various styles, such as 'skinny' and 'relaxed'.
The team is aiming to attract younger male consumers by enlisting its famous representatives, such as Spencer Matthews and Ian Wright, to provide fashion tips via the internet.
Following the use of celebrities like Sienna Miller and Hannah Waddingham to attract younger women during a fashion transformation, M&S announced today that it has surpassed competitor Zara in a survey among women for the first time.
Previously, M&S customers considered Zara to be more stylish than M&S - but now they believe M&S leads in terms of fashion.
And it secured its top 'style ranking' ever among shoppers aged 18-34, as per the same YouGov survey.
M&S began monitoring its fashion perceptions through surveys in 2021, at a time when it was initiating efforts to overcome a image associated with 'unfashionable' attire.