'CLOTHES," it has been said, "maketh man". Or as Shakespeare's Polonius more eloquently advised Laertes: "Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,/ But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;/For the apparel oft proclaims the man."

A suitable philosophy, I think, to introduce my thoughts on the latest trend in male fashion. Suits are back, and selling better than they've done since 1985. Those scorned and neglected garments, which have been left hanging, dust-covered and attacked by marauding moths, in the inner recesses of wardrobes, worn only to attend weddings, funerals, job interviews and court appearances, are again the everyday garb for fashion conscious males.

Stylish dressers are now discarding their casual jackets, crotch crushing jeans, Gap slacks, T-shirts and combat clobber, to make room in their wardrobes for bespoke and off-the-peg lounge suits. The suit's versatility making it the best wear in which to look smart at work and leisure. The black, blue, brown and grey plain, pinstripe and check patterned suit, as worn by politicians, professionals, television presenters and double glazing salesmen, is the gear.

This is good news for old geezers like me, who rarely throw anything away, and own suits dating back to demob centres, and whose wardrobes include clothes from the likes of the 50 Shilling Tailors and Montague Burton. Utilitarian dressers are likely to have bought their garb from British Home Stores and the Co-operative Society. Those difficult to fit with ready-mades will have found what they want at Marks & Spencers. While those more concerned with style than budgets might have been measured at Austin Reed and Moss Bros.

Unlike women's fashions, which change with the season, men's suits, bought over the last half century, have hardly changed. Hardy Amies might not agree, but apart from the width of the trouser bottoms, with or without turn-ups; the width of the lapels, the length of the jackets and the emphasis on one of the two basic styles - single and double breasted - changes in fashions are barely noticeable.

Before this ancient apparel is fit to be worn, and seen in public, alterations will need to be made: elasticated waistbands fitted, big 'Vs' sewn in trousers' backsides and link buttons sewn on jackets. And after a good brushing, dry cleaning, and a military standard pressing, they'll look as good as new.

Male chauvinists may think that liberated women might follow suit, but if they have been taking notice of the way women have been dressing, they will have noticed that their more successful female colleagues have been well suited when they've got the top jobs.

The return of the suit is not without loss. The necktie, man's traditional, and sometimes mandatory, accessory is no longer a necessary male adornment. Which leaves me wondering what I should do with my large collection of ties, dating from the late 1930s. Perhaps I could send them to the York Race Course; I believe they still insist on their patrons wearing ties before they are admitted to the best of circles.

SEPTUAGENARIAN superstars Sean Connery, Clint Eastwood and Paul Newman have been told to "act their age," because they're now too old to "cut the mustard". Nonsense, they've still got appeal. So if they can perform without causing themselves a mischief, and rise from their armchairs without using stand-ins, let them strut their stuff until they drop.

I suspect young men's sour grapes are behind this criticism. Little wonder, when filmmakers partner these well-matured men with young totties less than half their age. What's wrong with dusting off the likes of seasoned beauties Lauren Bacall, Honor Blackman, Joan Collins, Sophia Loren, and Racquel Welch, to play with their male contemporaries?