Men’s Formalwear Market in India: Challenges and Opportunities
We have witnessed a significant shift in consumer preferences toward more relaxed, functional, and versatile clothing, informs Ketan Pishe
The men’s formalwear market is about evolving lifestyles, cultural shifts and economic transformation. To understand where the men’s formalwear business stands today, it is essential to look at the underlying trends that have been there and changing the market space over the last few decades.
Before the 70s, most men relied heavily on local tailors for their clothing needs. The 1970s marked the beginning of the ready-to-wear revolution in India, making it an important decade to understand the evolution of the formalwear market. Earlier, people would choose the fabric, then visit a tailor and even wait for months for their garments to be stitched. This was a very time consuming yet deeply personalised process but then ready-made garments were very rare and limited in availability, also people did not prefer that.
The ready-to-wear business really took off in India in the 70s, where ready-to-wear shirts and trousers started becoming common. As urbanisation grew and lifestyles became faster-paced, the concept of ready-to-wear clothing started gaining popularity. For men, this shift was most visible in the rise of formal shirts and trousers that were readily available in retail outlets. These garments offered convenience and consistency, making them a practical alternative to bespoke tailoring.
Interestingly, the early days of ready-to-wear in India were almost entirely focused on formalwear. Formalwear wasn’t just style; it was a requirement for office-going men. In many ways, this era laid the foundation for the formalwear market in India. It introduced the idea that formal dressing could be standardised, scaled, and sold in stores, sparking a transformation that would continue for decades. What began as a convenience-driven shift eventually gave rise to some of India’s most respected menswear brands and cemented the role of formalwear in professional identity.
Subsequently, we have seen a plethora of brands being born in the Indian market: casual brands, formal brands and others taking up space within the market. Formalwear expanded hugely, especially in the branded space. At P N RAO for example, we were at one point a multi-brand store stocking many of these brands that were making waves in the market alongside tailoring which was always present.
Men’s formalwear really hit a peak, especially with formal shirts, formal trousers and suits being used in offices across the world. This was a very important part of dressing and showcasing. There was a whole point about “power dressing” in the 90s which really set the stage. During the 90s and early 2000s, power dressing became significant. Even in IT offices or new kinds of firms, formal dress codes and ties were made compulsory.
After 2010, a big change was seen worldwide more on the side of casualisation. It was almost a rebellion, with casualisation becoming a big thing. Now we have a wide range of casualwear, streetwear, smart casual, street casual. This has been a social trend that has led to reduced use of formalwear and increased adoption of casualwear.
There’s been a lot of innovation in fabrics and design across the board, which has supported this casualisation trend. People want to dress more comfortably and more easily and this has led to a reduction in the formal business wear clothing segment, especially in the men’s market in India and globally. This poses a challenge for men’s formalwear in India and abroad. But it doesn’t mean it has died; rather, it’s reinventing itself in various forms as it has done over the years.
Specifically, if we talk about the suit — the suit is over 160 years old as a product. A suit means the same fabric is used to make both the jacket and the trousers. The suit has undergone several changes in the past 160+ years from, tailcoats to frock coats to the suits we see today – longer jackets, shorter jackets, slim fit, baggy fit, heavier fabrics, lighter fabrics, three-piece or five-piece suits.
We’ve seen all these variations. The suit exemplifies formal dressing. Today, suits have evolved beautifully. Even if you have trousers with a drawstring and a jacket with pockets like a bomber, both in the same material, it still showcases itself as a suit in a modern form. That reinvention is very interesting.
The classical suit is still very much alive and used, especially when it’s important for business meetings, board meetings and it’s still relevant. It’s interesting to see that even someone from the IT sector like Mark Zuckerberg, who is famous for his hoodie, wore a suit when it mattered. When he interviewed Prime Minister Modi, he wore a suit. When representing his company in the U.S. Senate he wore a suit. At weddings, too. When he was in India at the Ambani wedding, he was wearing a formalwear. People eventually realise that dressing for the occasion is still very important. Even those who think dressing doesn’t matter eventually realise that it does. Dressing appropriately shows preparedness and seriousness about the occasion be it a board meeting, a wedding, a family function, or a graduation.
Yes, there are challenges, and people in the formalwear business should not ignore them. It’s important for brands to understand these challenges, the changes in society and what people now prefer to wear. One major shift influencing these choices is the weather, which is changing drastically. Overall, it’s getting warmer globally. Winters may get sharper in some areas and the rainy season is changing. This also plays a huge role in what people wear. For example, suits have become much lighter than they were 20 years ago. People don’t want to be weighed down by heavy garments.
Earlier, particularly in Western countries, it was very common for men to wear heavier fabrics and suits even indoors because the climate was generally milder. This cultural norm was even seen in professional and social spaces where dressing in heavy, structured garments was seen as a sign of sophistication. However, this condition has drastically changed, especially in the Indian context. Today, with rising global temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns, climate is one of the most influential factors in how people dress. In India, apart from the northern regions that experience a defined winter, most states endure long, harsh summers with high humidity and soaring temperatures. This makes traditional, heavy formalwear impractical to wear on a daily basis.
While air-conditioning is more widely available in offices and some homes, it is not a consistent or sustainable solution. As a result, there is a growing demand seen for lighter and breathable clothing that offers the aesthetic of formalwear without the discomfort. Understanding such underlying lifestyle and climate trends is essential to staying relevant for brands and manufacturers in today’s fashion landscape. The future of formalwear lies in innovation through fabric technologies, smart tailoring, and modern silhouettes that align with both climate realities and evolving consumer expectations. This is important to not only meet current needs but also lead the industry into its next chapter of growth.
In today’s world, men are increasingly open to style guidance, grooming advice, and curated fashion experiences. The modern male consumer is far more aware of trends and personal presentation than ever before. Social media has played a pivotal role in this shift. They follow social media and the influencers. They try to copy their style and are increasingly conscious about how they appear on social media and in public. In such environment, market players that offer value beyond the product are likely to build long-term loyalty with the customers and the ones who provide in-store styling consultations, personalised recommendations, or digital lookbooks help customers make confident style choices. These added services don’t just enhance the shopping experience but also create trust and encourage repeat engagement. Men today are not just looking for clothing—they are looking for reassurance that they look their best. They are not just buying suits rather they are buying confidence. Brands that recognise and support this mindset will lead the way forward.
Men’s formalwear also plays a big dominant role in the Indian wedding economy. Indian weddings are grand multi-day celebrations which are full of tradition and social gathering and every piece of wedding carries deep symbolic and aesthetic value. For men, especially grooms and immediate family members, dressing well for each function has become an important part of the celebration. Functions such as engagement ceremonies, sangeets, cocktail nights, receptions and even pre-wedding shoots demand distinctive looks, often leading to the purchase of multiple outfits. While ethnic wear like sherwanis and kurta sets remain popular, tailored suits, bandhgalas, tuxedos, and Indo-western ensembles have emerged as equally important components of the wedding wardrobe. Today’s grooms are investing in formalwear that makes a statement. They want the attire that reflects their personality and looks modern and stylish. Many are choosing suits that offer impeccable fit, custom design elements and luxury fabrics that stand out. Both, bespoke suits and made to measure formalwear are on the rise with weddings becoming more style conscious and globally influenced. For brands, this presents a significant opportunity to offer curated collections, personalised styling services to their customers and to build trust.
We have witnessed a significant shift in consumer preferences toward more relaxed, functional, and versatile clothing, while the core values that have long defined formalwear sophistication, polish, confidence, and preparedness remain as relevant as ever. The men’s formalwear market is in transition and at a unique crossroads. So yes, there are both challenges and opportunities. The real opportunity lies in reinvention.
About the author:
Ketan Pishe’s accomplishments and expertise have been instrumental in shaping the success of P N RAO. His educational background and experience in sourcing and merchandising, marketing, and tech savvy skills have equipped him to perform his role as a partner with distinction, contributing significantly to the brand’s identity, business expansion, and product diversification. His unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence have been invaluable to the company, and he remains a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry.
