The NFL Draft is known for the custom suits. The evolution has been inevitable

New York Times

24-04-2025

Between Michael Strahan's hosting roles on 'Good Morning America' and 'Fox NFL Sunday,' it's common to see him in a tailored suit.
But 32 years ago, while preparing for the 1993 NFL Draft, a suit wasn't on Strahan's to-do list. The Pro Football Hall of Famer and former New York Giants star defensive end recalls his draft attire: jeans and a T-shirt — a comfortable vibe more fitting because he was at his uncle's house watching the draft and not at the Marriott Marquis in Midtown Manhattan.
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Strahan has evolved enough in fashion that he now has his own line of suits. As he has evolved, so, too, has the look and style of players on draft day. A basic suit won't cut it these days for some prospects. Thousands of dollars are invested in a draft-day look that might never be seen again.
The 2025 draft starts Thursday evening, and the football world will see custom-made suits with the sole purpose of showcasing some athletes' style at Lambeau Field. Strahan said today's players are a lot different when it comes to the draft than they were when he came out of Texas Southern. If they plan to attend the event, they do so with inspiration and a sense of style that players of his era did not have.
'We didn't go to fashion shows in Paris,' Strahan said of players from the early 1990s. 'Guys take more risks and show more individuality now.'
Sixteen prospects were invited to Green Bay, Wis., to attend the draft in person, meaning there are potentially 16 opportunities for an impression to be made by a player walking on the stage to shake hands with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and put on the cap of the team that drafts him.
With a sense of style often comes distinctiveness, and according to Strahan, distinctiveness is not cheap. For a custom suit by a top designer, players can expect to spend in excess of $2,500. Add in shoes and accessories like custom jewelry, and Strahan said players can easily spend $10,000 for an ensemble that probably will not be worn again.
Some players opt for colorful looks. A personal message or recognizing one's high school or college on the lining of the suit jacket is common.
'There are certain guys who can pull certain things off. There are certain guys trying to pull things off,' Strahan said. 'It's not like it's a plug-and-play. If you're a big guy that wants to wear skinny jeans, knock yourself out.'
Tom Marchitelli is a custom designer for Gentleman's Playbook and has designed suits for NFL players for 11 years. He designed Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold's suit for the 2023 draft. It was a bold look: a one-of-a-kind salmon, silk-print suit.
Sneak peak at Terrion Arnold's suit for the #NFLDraft 👀 Electric salmon silk print custom designed by yours truly. #LANK #NFLDraft2024 @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/hYtkBOruFc
— Gentleman's Playbook (@GentsPlaybook) April 25, 2024
Marchitelli believes the draft is a player's chance to make a memorable first impression.
'Honestly, I think it's ridiculous for a player to ask for a suit that they could wear more than once, especially on draft day,' Marchitelli said. 'They're gonna have the opportunity to get other suits. If a client is looking for just a navy suit they can wear three times, they're not gonna pay my prices and have me fly out twice to have that done, right?'
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Not everyone, however, goes for flash. Ge Wang, founder and president of ESQ Clothing, likened the draft suit to one for a wedding, as it's 'the most important day of your life.'
Wang has done suits for NBA and NFL players. He said these days he only works with draft picks if he has a relationship with them. This year, ESQ has a suit planned for a previous client. Notre Dame cornerback Ben Morrison is expected to wear a new suit either when he's drafted or at his introductory news conference.
A post shared by ESQ (@esqclothing)
'For us, it's always, 'Stand out but, like, in a classic way,'' Wang said. 'The first thing we tell someone for the draft is LeBron James' draft suit or Joakim Noah's draft suit, those get remembered, but for all the wrong reasons. So, we tell them, 'Stick with simple, stick with classic. … You might get on the best-dressed list, but you don't want to be on the worst-dressed list.''
Strahan said Josh Allen and Minkah Fitzpatrick wore his line of suits for the 2018 draft. When Ezekiel Elliott ditched the draft-day cropped-shirt look, he wore a Strahan-designed suit the following day.
Strahan said he favors a classic look but doesn't judge young players and their style.
'We always try to make it something personal that they feel attached to,' he said.
A post shared by Minkah Fitzpatrick Jr. (@fittypat21)
But not everyone on draft day is shelling out a lot of money for a custom suit. Some players or their representatives reach out to tailors and clothiers for a free suit in exchange for publicity.
That practice is why Wang has gotten away from the draft suit game. The looks might make the rounds on social media, but they aren't setting a standard for the majority of those buying custom suits.
'These guys that are professional athletes, especially rookies, often think their worth is a lot more than it actually is,' Wang said. 'Our average suit is $3,500. My clients honestly don't really care what a 22-year-old is wearing. … If Bradley Cooper's wearing it, if Tom Cruise is wearing it, that's different. But (the draft pick), I'm sorry, but you're not moving the needle — at least for our industry.'
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Marchitelli said he's approached every year about making a suit for free for a player before the draft. With a clientele that includes several current NFL, NBA and MLB stars who already share his work on social media, he doesn't need the free press of someone wearing a suit they did not pay for.
Marchitelli said clients usually pay $3,000 to $4,000 per suit and often purchase multiple suits.
'I've learned it's OK to say no because I know my value and my worth, that's for sure,' Marchitelli said. 'It is the agents who reach out and ask for the freebie; it's not the players. So when an agent reaches out and says, 'Will you dress my guy?' I'll say, 'Sure, tell them what suit prices are,' and they'll say, 'Well, no, can it be a promotional post?''
Additionally, some athletes, especially linemen, can have a hard time finding a suit that fits properly. Marchitelli said there's a pride in seeing a bigger player in a suit that fits well, one with the kind of stretch needed to be worn during physical activities and not tear.
Wang said some of the more expensive brands come with big price tags but aren't necessarily made with athletes in mind. That isn't as much of a problem for basketball players, who tend to have slender builds, but it's an issue for the varying body types in football.
'Fit is everything,' Weng said. 'We have seen this trend starting in the 2010s of everything being comically too small. Luckily, now we're at a phase where suits are starting to look good again.'
The NFL Draft, of course, is just the start of someone's career. Strahan said for all the flash and style, it's still about being welcomed into the league for anyone who has the opportunity to walk on stage.
'I remember the moment more than anyone's individual suit,' Strahan said.