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Celeb Storm Daily

A Brief History of Justin Timberlake’s Suit-and-Tie Sh*t

Author

Sarah Rodriguez

Published Apr 03, 2026

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Late Sunday night, Justin Timberlake’s very confusing countdown clock expired, and a new song — his first single in six excruciating years — was unleashed upon the world. “Suit and Tie” has a Jay-Z verse, some very festive marimba production, and the lyrics “I be on my suit-and-tie shit,” which, historically speaking, is a very accurate Justin Timberlake statement. Dude has worn some spectacular suit-and-tie ensembles in his day. So in honor of JT’s new song (and because the title more or less taunted us into doing so), here is a look back at JT’s suit-and-tie shit.

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Suit Power: 3 (Though all points come from the ribbed-sweater overcoat, which we are counting as a suit for the purposes of awesomeness.)
Tie Power: 3 Monochrome was excusable in the aughts, sort of.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Yes. Suit Power: 3 (Though all points come from the ribbed-sweater overcoat, which we are counting as a suit for the purposes of awesomeness.)
Tie Power: 3 Monochrome was excusable in the aughts, sort of.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Yes.

Suit Power: 3 (Though all points come from the ribbed-sweater overcoat, which we are counting as a suit for the purposes of awesomeness.)

Tie Power: ...

Suit Power: 3 (Though all points come from the ribbed-sweater overcoat, which we are counting as a suit for the purposes of awesomeness.)

Tie Power: 3 Monochrome was excusable in the aughts, sort of.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Yes.

Photo: Paul Skipper
Suit Power: 5 Respect the risk. And the sparkles!
Tie Power: 0 Is he even wearing one? Does it matter?
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay does know a thing or two about looking iffy while standing next to a bonkers-attractive woman. Suit Power: 5 Respect the risk. And the sparkles!
Tie Power: 0 Is he even wearing one? Does it matter?
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay does know a thing or two about looking iffy while standing next to a bonkers-attractive woman.

Suit Power: 5 Respect the risk. And the sparkles!

Tie Power: 0 Is he even wearing one? Does it matter?

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay do...

Suit Power: 5 Respect the risk. And the sparkles!

Tie Power: 0 Is he even wearing one? Does it matter?

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay does know a thing or two about looking iffy while standing next to a bonkers-attractive woman.

Photo: LUCY NICHOLSON
Suit Power: 8 Come on.
Tie Power: 1 We demand actual gold lamé.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? That question is missing the point. (Yes.) Suit Power: 8 Come on.
Tie Power: 1 We demand actual gold lamé.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? That question is missing the point. (Yes.)

Suit Power: 8 Come on.

Tie Power: 1 We demand actual gold lamé.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? That question is missing the point. (Y...

Suit Power: 8 Come on.

Tie Power: 1 We demand actual gold lamé.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? That question is missing the point. (Yes.)

Photo: LUCY NICHOLSON
Suit Power: 2 That is a very high score for something that is definitely not a suit.
Tie Power: 0 Leather-flame-embroidery power: 18!
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Clearly. Suit Power: 2 That is a very high score for something that is definitely not a suit.
Tie Power: 0 Leather-flame-embroidery power: 18!
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Clearly.

Suit Power: 2 That is a very high score for something that is definitely not a suit.

Tie Power: 0 Leather-flame-embroidery power: 18!

Would Jay-Z Ma...

Suit Power: 2 That is a very high score for something that is definitely not a suit.

Tie Power: 0 Leather-flame-embroidery power: 18!

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Clearly.

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./2001 Ron Galella, Ltd.
Suit Power: 4 For the leather cuffs.
Tie Power: 1 You can hire someone to tie those for you, JT.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? God, we hope so. Suit Power: 4 For the leather cuffs.
Tie Power: 1 You can hire someone to tie those for you, JT.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? God, we hope so.

Suit Power: 4 For the leather cuffs.

Tie Power: 1 You can hire someone to tie those for you, JT.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? God, we hope...

Suit Power: 4 For the leather cuffs.

Tie Power: 1 You can hire someone to tie those for you, JT.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? God, we hope so.

Photo: DON EMMERT
Suit Power: 1 Unless this is his David Byrne in Stop Making Sense Halloween costume, in which case, 20.
Tie Power: 0 Shiny and wide and gross.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Would Jay-Z even talk to you in this ensemble? Suit Power: 1 Unless this is his David Byrne in Stop Making Sense Halloween costume, in which case, 20.
Tie Power: 0 Shiny and wide and gross.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Would Jay-Z even talk to you in this ensemble?

Suit Power: 1 Unless this is his David Byrne in Stop Making Sense Halloween costume, in which case, 20.

Tie Power: 0 Shiny and wide and gross.

Would...

Suit Power: 1 Unless this is his David Byrne in Stop Making Sense Halloween costume, in which case, 20.

Tie Power: 0 Shiny and wide and gross.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Would Jay-Z even talk to you in this ensemble?

Photo: Kevin Kane
Suit Power: 2 Oh no, the shiny infected the suit.
Tie Power: 2 See, you actually can recycle your wedding-party attire.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay-Z has a new baby and an NBA team and really doesn't have time to make fun of everything, you know? Suit Power: 2 Oh no, the shiny infected the suit.
Tie Power: 2 See, you actually can recycle your wedding-party attire.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay-Z has a new baby and an NBA team and really doesn't have time to make fun of everything, you know?

Suit Power: 2 Oh no, the shiny infected the suit.

Tie Power: 2 See, you actually can recycle your wedding-party attire.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This...

Suit Power: 2 Oh no, the shiny infected the suit.

Tie Power: 2 See, you actually can recycle your wedding-party attire.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay-Z has a new baby and an NBA team and really doesn't have time to make fun of everything, you know?

Photo: Steve Finn/2004 Getty Images
Suit Power: 5 Okay, this is an improvement.
Tie Power: 3 Matchy-matchy.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Not the statues, anyway. Suit Power: 5 Okay, this is an improvement.
Tie Power: 3 Matchy-matchy.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Not the statues, anyway.

Suit Power: 5 Okay, this is an improvement.

Tie Power: 3 Matchy-matchy.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Not the statues, anyway.

Photo: Frede...

Suit Power: 5 Okay, this is an improvement.

Tie Power: 3 Matchy-matchy.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Not the statues, anyway.

Photo: Frederick M. Brown/2004 Getty Images
Suit Power: 4 But double that if you are on the set of Downton Abbey.
Tie Power: 6 Good color, not too flashy.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Nah. Suit Power: 4 But double that if you are on the set of Downton Abbey.
Tie Power: 6 Good color, not too flashy.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Nah.

Suit Power: 4 But double that if you are on the set of Downton Abbey.

Tie Power: 6 Good color, not too flashy.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble...

Suit Power: 4 But double that if you are on the set of Downton Abbey.

Tie Power: 6 Good color, not too flashy.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Nah.

Photo: Mike Brown/2005 Getty Images
Suit Power: 3 No to that sweater vest; no to that color.
Tie Power: 2 Who knows? We can't even see it.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? He's not thrilled about it. Suit Power: 3 No to that sweater vest; no to that color.
Tie Power: 2 Who knows? We can't even see it.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? He's not thrilled about it.

Suit Power: 3 No to that sweater vest; no to that color.

Tie Power: 2 Who knows? We can't even see it.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? He's n...

Suit Power: 3 No to that sweater vest; no to that color.

Tie Power: 2 Who knows? We can't even see it.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? He's not thrilled about it.

Photo: Dave M. Benett/2006 Dave M. Benett
Suit Power: 4 But if we had a Neck Beard category, that would get a 10.
Tie Power: 2 Did matte skinny ties just not exist before 2008?
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Too boring to mock. Suit Power: 4 But if we had a Neck Beard category, that would get a 10.
Tie Power: 2 Did matte skinny ties just not exist before 2008?
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Too boring to mock.

Suit Power: 4 But if we had a Neck Beard category, that would get a 10.

Tie Power: 2 Did matte skinny ties just not exist before 2008?

Would Jay-Z M...

Suit Power: 4 But if we had a Neck Beard category, that would get a 10.

Tie Power: 2 Did matte skinny ties just not exist before 2008?

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Too boring to mock.

Photo: Gareth Cattermole/2006 Getty Images
Suit Power: 7 There we go.
Tie Power: 8 Orange is very hip right now.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? We're good. Suit Power: 7 There we go.
Tie Power: 8 Orange is very hip right now.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? We're good.

Suit Power: 7 There we go.

Tie Power: 8 Orange is very hip right now.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? We're good.

Photo: Kevin Winter/2007 Ge...

Suit Power: 7 There we go.

Tie Power: 8 Orange is very hip right now.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? We're good.

Photo: Kevin Winter/2007 Getty Images
Suit Power: 5 This is fine.
Tie Power: 4 Not mad at the stripes.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay shrug. Suit Power: 5 This is fine.
Tie Power: 4 Not mad at the stripes.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay shrug.

Suit Power: 5 This is fine.

Tie Power: 4 Not mad at the stripes.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay shrug.

Photo: Kevin Mazur
Suit Power: 4 At least the fit's okay.
Tie Power: 7 Simple = good.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? There is probably a discussion to be had about that wallet chain. Suit Power: 4 At least the fit's okay.
Tie Power: 7 Simple = good.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? There is probably a discussion to be had about that wallet chain.

Suit Power: 4 At least the fit's okay.

Tie Power: 7 Simple = good.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? There is probably a discussion to be had a...

Suit Power: 4 At least the fit's okay.

Tie Power: 7 Simple = good.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? There is probably a discussion to be had about that wallet chain.

Photo: Ethan Miller/2007 Getty Images
Suit Power: 10 Damn.
Tie Power: 10 See above.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Nope! Suit Power: 10 Damn.
Tie Power: 10 See above.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Nope!

Suit Power: 10 Damn.

Tie Power: 10 See above.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Nope!

Photo: Kevin Winter/2008 Getty Images
Suit Power: 8 Serious Actor Justin is also "I Found a Tailor" Justin.
Tie Power: 7 And "I Finally Found a Skinny Tie" Justin.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? No, but he might make fun of someone's height. Suit Power: 8 Serious Actor Justin is also "I Found a Tailor" Justin.
Tie Power: 7 And "I Finally Found a Skinny Tie" Justin.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? No, but he might make fun of someone's height.

Suit Power: 8 Serious Actor Justin is also "I Found a Tailor" Justin.

Tie Power: 7 And "I Finally Found a Skinny Tie" Justin.

Wo...

Suit Power: 8 Serious Actor Justin is also "I Found a Tailor" Justin.

Tie Power: 7 And "I Finally Found a Skinny Tie" Justin.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? No, but he might make fun of someone's height.

Photo: Kevin Winter/2009 Getty Images
Suit Power: 7 Let's reward experimentation .
Tie Power: 4 Let's not reward marbling.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? He likes the Serious Actor glasses. Suit Power: 7 Let's reward experimentation .
Tie Power: 4 Let's not reward marbling.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? He likes the Serious Actor glasses.

Suit Power: 7 Let's reward experimentation .

Tie Power: 4 Let's not reward marbling.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? He likes the Serious Act...

Suit Power: 7 Let's reward experimentation .

Tie Power: 4 Let's not reward marbling.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? He likes the Serious Actor glasses.

Photo: Carlos Alvarez/2010 Getty Images
Suit Power: 5 Yikes to the three-piece.
Tie Power: 3 Yikes to the shiny monochrome.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Yikes. Suit Power: 5 Yikes to the three-piece.
Tie Power: 3 Yikes to the shiny monochrome.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Yikes.

Suit Power: 5 Yikes to the three-piece.

Tie Power: 3 Yikes to the shiny monochrome.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Yikes.

Photo: Kevin Winte...

Suit Power: 5 Yikes to the three-piece.

Tie Power: 3 Yikes to the shiny monochrome.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Yikes.

Photo: Kevin Winter/2011 Getty Images
Suit Power: 7 Still friends with that tailor, we see.
Tie Power: 7 Obligatory "it brings out his eyes." (It does!)
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay is off on a boat somewhere; we couldn't get in touch to ask. Suit Power: 7 Still friends with that tailor, we see.
Tie Power: 7 Obligatory "it brings out his eyes." (It does!)
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay is off on a boat somewhere; we couldn't get in touch to ask.

Suit Power: 7 Still friends with that tailor, we see.

Tie Power: 7 Obligatory "it brings out his eyes." (It does!)

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of...

Suit Power: 7 Still friends with that tailor, we see.

Tie Power: 7 Obligatory "it brings out his eyes." (It does!)

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? Jay is off on a boat somewhere; we couldn't get in touch to ask.

Photo: Frazer Harrison/2011 Getty Images
Suit Power: 7 It just looks like leather.
Tie Power: 8 Long live the skinny tie.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? This is like the definition of "truffle season." Jay approves. Suit Power: 7 It just looks like leather.
Tie Power: 8 Long live the skinny tie.
Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? This is like the definition of "truffle season." Jay approves.

Suit Power: 7 It just looks like leather.

Tie Power: 8 Long live the skinny tie.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? This is like the definition ...

Suit Power: 7 It just looks like leather.

Tie Power: 8 Long live the skinny tie.

Would Jay-Z Make Fun of This Ensemble? This is like the definition of "truffle season." Jay approves.

Photo: Tim Whitby/2011 Getty Images
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