Stephen Colbert concluded his 11-season tenure as the host of the "Late Show" last week, marking the end of an era for one of late-night television’s enduring sartorial traditions. For decades, the archetype of the late-night host has been a man in a dark suit—a consistently polished figure in an industry where shifting cultural norms have gradually loosened dress codes in other sectors.

Throughout his time on screen, Colbert adhered to the classic late-night uniform: a dark single-breasted suit, a crisp white shirt, and a restrained tie. This signature look became so strongly associated with the role that during his farewell, conversations even turned to what would become of his extensive wardrobe. On a recent episode of the "Strike Force Five" podcast, featuring fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver, Colbert revealed that initially, the network did not permit him to keep his suits. However, he was eventually allowed to distribute them among friends and family, including his two adult sons. At the time of the interview, he estimated owning around 18 tuxedos, predominantly in shades of navy and gray from high-end designers like Zegna and Giorgio Armani, predominantly conservative in pattern and cut.

Colbert’s sartorial consistency stood in contrast to earlier eras when late-night hosts embraced more flamboyant styles. Johnny Carson, who dominated late-night television in the 1970s, was known for his bold French cuff shirts, oversized gold cufflinks, and sport jackets featuring flyaway peak lapels. In fact, Carson’s style was so influential that a clothing line inspired by his wardrobe generated $35 million in sales in 1972 alone—equivalent to roughly $275 million today. David Letterman initially donned a more eccentric wardrobe, such as checkered blazers and wide striped ties during his early "Late Night" days in the 1980s. However, by the time he took over "The Late Show" in 1993, Letterman’s attire had become more subdued, aligning more closely with late-night conventions.

The suit became a symbolic element of late-night television, a visual tool that paired the host’s often irreverent humor with a familiar, reassuring formality. This combination of dress and delivery helped create a comforting, paternal presence for viewers seeking lighthearted entertainment at the end of the day. While some hosts have experimented with departing from tradition—for instance, Jimmy Kimmel transitioned from a more casual, everyman image to the classic late-night suit, and Seth Meyers relaxed his dress code during the pandemic—most have maintained the standard ensemble. Notable exceptions today include Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld, who favors polos and casual attire, and Meyers, who still dons a suit for special occasions such as the "Strike Force Five" podcast.

Before his CBS tenure, Colbert cultivated his costume carefully as the eponymous host of "The Colbert Report," portraying a bombastic conservative pundit known for his dark suits and bold, often primary-colored ties. During that period, Brooks Brothers was his official outfitter, even producing custom pieces such as a camouflage suit for a 2009 visit to Iraq. When Colbert took over CBS’s "Late Show" in 2015, he shed the satirical character but retained the sartorial staple, donning a blue suit, white shirt, and dotted red tie for his debut.

Colbert’s final episode featured an emotional farewell, with appearances by Paul McCartney, Jon Batiste, and Bryan Cranston. As the show ended, Colbert departed clad in the signature suit that had become inseparable from his on-screen persona. Though the circumstances of his show's cancellation were not what he might have hoped for, he closed the chapter still dressed the part, embodying a late-night tradition that has persisted even as the cultural landscape around it continues to evolve.