In many ways, 2024 was the year of the banker. From the viral meme-song “Man In Finance” – “six five, blue eyes”, sung with enough vocal fry to break the sound barrier – to Industry, the HBO/BBC series that orbits the debaucherous lives of investment bankers in London, the fascination with financial types seems to have peaked (blame the economy). But what does this say about how we dress?

The dissolution of office dress codes combined with post-pandemic sweatpant fatigue has signalled a death cross for slovenly fashion and Wall Street-worthy suits and ties are all over the runway again. In other words, men are rediscovering the undeniable pleasure of dressing up because we want to and not because we have to.

Still, there’s a way to do it well: swerve the finance bro puffer vests and instead look back to a time when bankers dressed for business – sexy and smart. Think patterned tailoring worthy of Gordon Gekko, neckties with a tie clip, roomy pleated pants, such as those featured here from New York brand Small Talk, and stacks of attitude to tie it all together.

If you’re in need of tailoring inspiration, let actor Colman Domingo be your sartorial guide. Adroit at adding just the right accessories, follow his leads with a polished loafers will add a polished finishing touch – look to G.H. Bass & Co. for the OGs, or go for a horsebit pair from Brunello Cucinelli if you really want to commit – and a signet ring for boardroom-appropriate bling.

The checked shirt can perhaps be a touch provincial, representative of the most unimaginatively masculine approach to getting dressed. The checked shirt of 2025, though, comes in a number of new ways that actually makes it look interesting again.

Plaid shirts covered the menswear runways for SS25 and come in all stripes (well, checks) for all budgets. Corridor, an excellent New York-based menswear label worth knowing about, makes one in bold blue Madras. Also see God’s True Cashmere, Brad Pitt and Sat Hari’s brand whose shirts come complete with gemstone buttons.

Look to Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in the upcoming biopic as your reference point for styling and layer one under a leather jacket for extra ruggedness. And when off-duty, take your cues from A$AP Rocky, who is known for layering his over sweaters and wearing them with trackpants, giving plaid an unexpectedly sporty feel.

Cuddly-looking knitwear in menswear spans everything from Kurt Cobain’s grungy cardigan (actually quite mocha mousse, as it happens – see below) to the recent proclivity among NBA stars such as Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Jayson Tatum, as well as rappers including Tyler, the Creator. For the contemporary look, opt for the variegated statement cardigans popularised by brands such as Needles, Marni and The Elder Statesman.

Riz Ahmed often completes his red carpet looks with a neatly buttoned cardigan, while Jacob Elordi favours those by Bottega Veneta and Paul Mescal has spent the past couple of years rocking tiny, colourful cardigans from Gucci and the British brand &Daughter. So, this is not exactly a new trend, but it is an enduring and straightforward way to add some visual interest – namely colour and texture – to your outfits.

When choosing the perfect knit, opt for tones with a bit of personality, and a texture that is on the right side of cosy (ie, a little nostalgic, but never itchy). Take this cardigan from Séfr: it’s made from brushed mohair, which makes it extra soft, and is the colour of strawberry ice cream. Delicious.

Kendall Roy’s Loro Piana baseball cap was one of the main catalysts in the recent trend for “quiet luxury”. And while an understated cashmere cap in navy or black might telegraph a certain kind of self-assured swagger, in 2025, the most interesting caps are the ones that have a little more shout about them.

Many of the boppiest menswear brands of the moment – see Cherry Los Angeles, Enfants Riches Déprimés and SAINT Mxxxxxx – are making logo-heavy caps in cheerful, primary colours that demand attention. Gallery Dept. does an array of bright trucker caps that are pure 2000s nostalgia, while A.P.C.’s sleek denim baseball style will undoubtedly become your off-duty go-to.

Pantone’s colour of the year? Brown. Except it’s not just brown or beige or even taupe – the colour authority has ordained it “mocha mousse”. Frothy, sweet and slightly caffeinated, this slightly washed-out brown is an exceedingly easy colour to wear (or at least easier than the peach fuzz of 2024). It’s neutral enough to compliment most skin tones and will work across anything from T-shirts to chinos to bags to socks. Italian designers are very good at mocha mousse – see Loro Piana’s full-grain leather tote and Massimo Alba’s lightweight cashmere sweater for some of the best examples. Layer up some of those textures and build a whole outfit with the stuff. It’s an easy way to look unimpeachably chic.