Dark suits return as teen boys’ top choice for formal events

Teenage boys in Finland are increasingly opting for dark suits at school celebrations and formal gatherings, reversing a decades-long decline in their popularity, retailers and students tell public broadcaster Yle.

At Viitaniemi School in Jyväskylä, nearly all ninth-grade boys wore suits to their year-end gala this week, with many emphasizing the importance of looking polished. “It feels good to wear a suit—it gives you a mature, confident vibe,” said 16-year-old Tatu Runtuvuori, adjusting his dark blue tie. His suit, bought for last summer’s confirmation, was paired with rented patent leather shoes for the occasion.

Retailers confirm the shift. Harri Pii of clothing store Aaron’s noted that even elementary school boys now wear dress shirts and suits to seasonal school events, a trend that has strengthened in recent years. “They’re particular about fit—it has to be the right size and hang well,” Pii said. The resurgence follows a drop in suit-wearing among young men after the 1990s, when casual wear dominated formal occasions.

For 15-year-old Jaajo Vuorenmaa, the look is carefully curated. His black suit was bought secondhand, while his gray tie, pocket square, and dress shoes were borrowed from his father. He folded the pocket square himself after watching an online tutorial. “It’s not embarrassing to dress up anymore,” Vuorenmaa said. “Guys actually want to look sharp when they’ve got the clothes for it.”

Pekko Nelimarkka, 15, skipped a tie in favor of a ruffled shirt for a lighter feel. His new dress shirt, purchased for the gala, will see repeat use—he plans to wear the same borrowed designer suit to a friend’s graduation party this weekend. “It’s nice to look good,” he said. “You feel like some important guy heading to a big event.”

The trend extends beyond dark colors, with lighter shades also gaining traction for confirmations and school milestones. At Halos, another Finnish retailer, staff report that young men now treat suits as a reliable choice for formal wear, often accessorizing with ties, pocket squares, and cufflinks sourced from online guides.