How Fashion Is Changing Masculinity Norms

Vogue & Getty Images

Throughout history, fashion has consistently been portrayed and associated with femininity. It has been considered the norm for men to seemingly not care about what they are wearing. We, as people, have built a socially constructed idea of a masculine identity and have decided that fashion should not be a significant part of it. Fashion is part of anyone's identity, no matter who they are. Men have just been taught not to have as much interest and passion in it as women do. However, during this decade, things are rapidly changing, and I am all for it. Jacob Elordi and Harry Styles are among the most well-known male celebrities who have challenged the stereotypical idea of what makes up a male's style and identity. Men have been styling themselves with pieces that are understood to be feminine, such as skirts, nail polish, jewelry, and handbags. This fashion movement sparked during the quarantine era, when fashion had no boundaries and was chaotic yet experimental. It had become widely accepted and normalized on platforms like TikTok for males to care about fashion. One of the many trends in the media that came with quarantine was, of course, thrift shopping. Post-pandemic, so many boys whom I knew always detested picking out an outfit or dressing up now have so much love for fashion. It is now common for males to have their own style. What made such an impact on this cultural shift is thrifting, because it gives people a creative space to unapologetically be themselves. I now know so many men who thrift, and I really think it brings everyone together to express who they are through fashion.