Key Men in Fashion
Now a days more than ever we are seeing male celebrities defy typical fashion stereotypes in the industry. These men have all challenged multiple fashion norms from wearing sequin suits to rocking blue eyeshadow. Read on to learn more about some of the most influential men that have rejected societal norms of what men should and shouldn’t wear.
Harry Styles
Image Courtesy: GQ Magazine
As a member of one of the biggest boy bands in history, Harry Styles has always been in the public eye, which means we’ve been there for the countless style changes he went through in his career. Boy band Harry started off with preppy, then transitioned into a more rock star vibe of a black skinny jeans and jet-black Chelsea boots look every night. But, the most memorable style change happened proceeding the release of his solo self-titled album, Harry Styles. Since then we’ve seen him flaunt everything on stage from custom suits that range from pink metallic to full blown cheetah prints; which of course were all Gucci. His new style embraces a feminine side that he is not afraid of showing off to the world. So much so, that Styles’ became the new face of Gucci, and has been announced the cohost of the 2019 Met Gala, without having to attend the gala in previous years.
Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet, Hollywood’s newest It Boy, has been making a splash in the Fashion industry as well. After making his breakthrough in Call Me By Your Name, Chalamet has been bringing his style A-game to different film festivals and award shows this year. He has been very open about his love for fashion and style, claiming that he “enjoys dressing himself rather than enlisting in the help of a stylist.” Harry Styles and Timothée were actually paired together for an exclusive i-D Mag interview and dove in deep about their passion for being vulnerable about their personal image when it comes to clothing and life in general. What a perfect pair!
Matt Healy
“Black and Expensive” are the words that The 1975 singer Matt Healy would use to describe his personal style. Healy has never backed down from being his true self, whether it be dressing in all black or smearing on some blue eye-shadow. Saint Laurent is his go-to brand due to them having a range of garments and accessories that have his favorite details like fringe and leather that truly embody the image of him. Many men, both in the industry and not, have taken notes from Healy and incorporated it into their own wardrobe. We see countless looks in our everyday lives that can relate to his style, whether it be a slick all black outfit or a swipe of liner with eyeshadow.
Elton John
Elton John is one of the most iconic male fashion icons to date. He has never failed to surprise with his flamboyant looks when he makes an appearance. You can’t help to be intrigued by the pieces he would wear; his outfits always have a daring extravagant aspect to them. We’ve seen everything from a Dodgers uniform completely covered in sequins at a performance at a Dodger game, to a lime green suit covered with names of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame while he was being honored there. Overall you could say that once he started breaking out the flashy looks, other men felt more comfortable being able to do the same.
Freddie Mercury
Image Courtesy: NPR
Another rock star icon who has paved the way for freedom in men’s fashion was Freddie Mercury. His dramatic and striking personality reflected his on-and-off stage ensemble choices, in which portrayed him as a literal Queen. Mercury was never afraid to over step boundaries, not only in music, but in his fashion as well. His type of artistry set a standard to being expressive in one’s own skin, and has inspired the following generations of male superstars, proving that nothing is too over the top, darling. He truly paved the way for men to break fashion norms and be expressive of their own taste.
Kurt Cobain
Image Courtesy: MENSXP
The Nirvana front man, Kurt Cobain, helped lead to the birth of grunge in the 80s. His “long hair don’t care” vibe paired perfectly with his effortlessly put together street style which composed of pieces such as patchwork denim, graphic tees, and pajama tops. Yep you read that right, pajama tops. He famously wore a pajama button down to his wedding with Courtney Love in 1992. He was also known for the Jackie O sunglasses he often wore. These glasses very quickly became a vital part of his on stage look and his “effortlessly cool” look. Aside from seeing his style legacy live on through the grunge style, we can of course see many pieces inspired by the Nirvana iconography almost everywhere. Cobain was a fashion icon and he really didn’t even know it; many people say he wouldn’t even consider himself one since he just basically wore whatever he wanted. But that’s exactly how he’s impacted so many people, he exemplified that men should be able to wear whatever they want regardless of what’s seen as socially acceptable or not.
Strike Out,
Writer: Kierstin Zankl
Editor: Savannah Tindall
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