Let's face it: men's attire hasn't changed much since the 1920s when it comes to dressing up and being able to express oneself. The standard has always been suits with color variations for the dress shirt, socks, ties, and the suit itself. If you're a more casual guy, a pair of jeans and a t-shirt has always been readily available as an option. On the other hand, women have had the luxury of being able to transform the shapes of their bodies for centuries from high waisted skirts, corsets, billowing blouses, a-line dresses, and countless accessories.
Isn't it time for men to be able to express themselves through fashion if they happen to want to wear a skirt or an edgy dress? The market is a bit small these days, but eventually we may be seeing more and more feminine attire for men. However, men like Prince, Lenny Kravitz, David Bowie, and countless others in history have expressed themselves for decades by wearing platforms, ruffles, and bell-bottom jeans to suit their eclectic taste.
Take a look at these three designers that have been breaking boundaries for men on the runway!
Jean Paul Gaultier is the front man when it comes to high fashion designers providing men with more androgynous attire. He had started in the 1980s creating groundbreaking designs for both men and women. If some of you can recall, Gaultier was the one who brought Madonna’s infamous cone bra moment in the early 90s for her Blond Ambition tour.
In his more recent collection Gaultier has brought a punk and glam rock influence. There is something empowering when a man gets to wear a skirt and completely owns it, or even bringing a bit of sex appeal with a plunging sequence blouse and leggings for a more dazzling holiday look. Gaultier has even taken on models who are in their 50s showing that a man can be fashionable at any age.
On a more minimalist note, Rick Owens has been dressing men in long skirts, edgy blazers, and elongated dress shirts paired with stacked pants since 2012. This still takes a bit of tailoring, but provides more edge with its simplicity and neutral color palettes. Even stars like R Kelly, Kanye, and Justin Bieber have incorporated these looks into their daily lives as “Streetwear” looks. Just accessorize with a cool pair of oversized shades and combat boots, and you will be ready to hit the streets in this doable ensemble.
For those looking for an even more feminine look, J.W. Anderson had created the peak of androgynous, yet functional looks for men wishing to express their femininity. Anderson's Fall 2014 runway collection featured platform oxfords, geometric bags, cropped trousers, and structured sweaters. The year before, it was all about ruffles, leather dresses, and this color blocked bodycon mini dress paired with under the knee black leather boots and a long cardigan vest.
Can you see yourself trying out any of these looks? Select below which designer would fit your personal style, we would love to hear what you think in the comments!
4 comments
I could see dressing like the model on the right in the top photo. More Metro-sexual. Can’t see the mini-skirt taking hold unless I shaved my legs all the time. Too much grooms hair on a male body.
I am a straight married guy who likes to dress up occasionally. I would like nothing better than to go out in a smart black dress and tights, not all the time, but now and then, or wear ball gown to the opera. What annoys me is that girls crossdress all the time and no one bats an eyelid! Whats wrong with people!
I hope one day men can walk out on the street and wear anything they want to,i hope and pray that clothes will become genderless .
I am very partial to the feminine look. I have always loved skirts, blouses and dresses. It is so interesting that men are so restricted on what we can wear while women seem to be able to wear just about anything.
I have observed that things have changed over the years though and some things are much more acceptable today than when I was a young boy. Even something as simple as hairspray was not well accepted when I was young. Today some men are wearing makeup and using other so called feminine products. I for one applaud that change. Why shouldn’t we able to use perfume, body sprays, eye shadow or lipstick.
I attribute much of this to the slow acceptance of the gay community. They have consistently worked to make one’s lifestyle more acceptable. I admit that as a teen if someone had suggested I was transgendered, gay or as I was once called a pantywaist by my coach I would have been mortified. I was mortified when the coach called me a pantywaist in front of my classmates. I hope the doors continue to open even wider and we come to understand there is a place for men and women that see things differently to be just a part of everyday life.