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

[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 karki world of men's fashion in favour of wearing black all the time. I'd like to find more interesting things to wear, but I expect that will require a higher investment in time and money that I'm prepared to commit to right now.

[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.