Men's fashion

[specialknives]

There doesn't seem to be much menswear that's interesting and unusual without being either firmly placed within a subculture or so ludicrous as to mock the very idea of itself.

Do you agree?

Do men get frustrated with the lack of fashion for them, or is the lack of variety primarily market-driven?

Edit: Album of styles from the latest Nom*D

Comments

[johnnydarke]

The fundamentals of men's fashion reached perfection in the early 1800s - the three-piece suit is all a man ever needs. Everyone, and I mean *everyone*, looks good in a suit, and the 3-piece formula offers a baseline of sophistication whilst still providing ample opportunities to express individuality in the precise style, colouring, and well-chosen accessories.

[ellebabe]

Seconded!

[specialknives]

Suits are great... however, I'm told they can be somewhat uncomfortable and they do require maintenaince. So a bit of variety of different clothing options outside of suits would help dontyerthink?

[jwm]

I agree, it sucks. I think it has a bit to do with the perception that fashion is not something proper manly men are supposed to be interested in, versus the things that men often are interested in holding a higher priority in terms of time, energy and money spent. To that extent, it's advantageous that men's clothing tends not to vary particularly much, as it doesn't take much effort to shop to conform to some basic standard of respectability, before returning to cars, computers, football teams and all the other usual obessions males enjoy.

Of course, this means it takes more effort to dress if you are interested in fashion, especially if the established subcultures aren't wait you're looking for. And you'll probably stand out in the sense of receiving negative reactions to a lack of conformity. I think fashion for women offers them more latitude in that respect, though coupled with a higher cost in staying current (and the usual higher background noise of negative reactions).

I opted early on to just give up on the beige and

[specialknives]

I think it has to a bit to do with the perception that fashion is not something proper manly men are supposed to be interested in

Yes, that seems likely. And it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy if the designs that they make available are completely boring or completely daft... it sort of never gives men a chance to be interested in it.

[flats]

Another view:

If you look at City boys, they're really bloody particular about their suits and looking good. The clothes they purchase have to be perfect, with attention to the tiniest details of pockets, collars, cuffs. They're also actually a fast-growing market for cosmetic surgery, in order to look fit, fresh & up for work - stuff like Botox, teeth whitening, laser resurfacing... So these guys are a very macho bunch and yet interested in looking good - though, sure, it's not fashion in a catwalk sense.

Hip-hop stars and footballers are another demographic of (self-professed) "manly men" who are really into clothes - fashion-driven as well as suiting for this lot. And indie-electro scenesters are obsessed with what they wear... So it's really just a lump of Middle England males who don't do fashion!

[specialknives]

Really? Your experience is quite different to mine. I find that well-dressed men are the exception rather than the rule, in The City as much as anywhere else. Mind you, there are a lot of poorly-dressed women around the place too, including myself, and I guess not making an effort, or not knowing what suits you, is a different issue to the stuff not being available.

[flats]

There's plenty of variety out there for menswear if men chose to exercise the same ingenuity as women and mix high street, vintage, designer, Ebay... And like other commenters, I think that second set of clothes isn't ludicrous at all, just rather poorly styled. Russell Brand or Henry Conway would totally work those fur collars!

Of course I'm in London, so when I popped into Topman (for my brother's birthday present) the other day there were lots of exciting things in stock - this wouldn't be the case in the suburbs. Additionally, London really favours eccentric dressing in a way that the rest of the country doesn't.

Conclusion: most men just don't try hard enough at clothes, and could totally look interesting and original if they put some effort in. Just enough get it right to show that the necessary items are out there to be worn.

[specialknives]

There's plenty of variety out there for menswear if men chose to exercise the same ingenuity as women and mix high street, vintage, designer, Ebay...

Then you must take the specialknives challenge and find some unusual items of male clothing online that aren't subcultural or ridiculous. I would've totally agreed with you until I tried to find something for my fellah to wear clubbing, and as he's got a fairly modellish physique, it must be triple hard for guys that are short and/or thick set.

And like other commenters, I think that second set of clothes isn't ludicrous at all, just rather poorly styled.That's why I thought they must surely be taking the piss - they are such a well-established, well-respected brand that it's hard to understand why they used such an inappropriate model and took so little effort over getting the clothes to sit right. I guess everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Did you look at the Nom*D collection images? I can't understand why on earth they thought some of those things were worth making, let alone putting down a

[specialknives]

Chalky Digits for you then huh?

[vizi]

Yeah, menswear has been in a bit of rut for the last two centuries. Going back to the 17th century, fashion was drive by the whims of powerful and wealthy men. Back then, fashion was very example-driven - if the King wore, so did you, if you could afford it.

I do find clothes shopping frustrating, because I often have a specific look I want, and its hard to find, so I have ended up asking skilled friends to make jackets & trousers for me in the past. Mind you, there were a few fashion disasters in that experimentation.