A quick scroll on social media and an influx of eccentric fashion welcome our glance. Only what once was deemed quirky and runway reserved is now mainstream (Thank you,Caren Smith, on Wednesdays’ Men wear pinks too). From the diaphanous drama of sheer fabrics to the vibrancy of hues, sequins, and embellished mirrors — men’s fashion trends are defying the mundane. Thankfully, lame old pants, shirts, and dangling chains on jeans are not the only way for gentlemen to showcase their fashionable landscape.
Gender Neutral Fashion – Latest Trends
With trends entering gender-bender territory, the lines have blurred. Men are not shy in displaying their individuality in ways they deem fit, and we’ve got plenty of inspo to fit your mood board, and eventually, your wardrobes. Also known as gender-fluid fashion, these styles are for everyone, no matter your sexual preferences – anyone who doesn’t want to be stuck in a pink or blue colored box. Non-binary fashion has officially moved beyond LGBTQ+ territory.
Here are a few gender-bender or gender neutral fashion trends all set to make their way inside the gentlemen’s cupboards.
Nail Paints
What earlier used to reside in feminine enclaves and men in punk bands, painted nails are emblem men are now donning with pride. With celebrities like Harry Styles, Shawn Mendes, and Machine Gun Kelly initially advertising this trend — the malepolish has turned mainstream with special credits to TikTok and Instagram creators. Case in point — Jacob Rott, Bennet Curran, and Bryce Mckenzie. Closer home, this sartorial choice is rocked by influencers like BhavyaKumar, and model Abhinav Raghavanwho are shattering conventional norms of masculinity, one varnished talon — at a time.
I always wanted to try nail paints and when I tried it for the first time, I painted it on my own”, says Bhavya Kumar, whose Instagram feed is every fashion lover’s guilty pleasure. “Recently I went all in and got nail art done and I loved it. It went viral and there were people who were hating on me because apparently it was something only women did. But I just felt it was cool. If it goes with your outfit and gives you an edge, why not try it? I did it and loved it”, Kumar adds while shattering gender conventions, one Instagram post at a time.
Sheer Whispers
All hail the transparent fabric!! Though the fashion industry is quick on shifting trends every season, sheers have decided that they will be staying for as long as they want to, thank you very much. After enjoying a perennial presence in women’s wardrobes, they’ve inevitably become a masculine staple too.
Seen on the likes of Manu Rios, Jackson Wang, and Conan Gray, the diaphanous fabric has also taken men gracing fashion show front rows by storm. Take cues from Jacob Rott who wore a black sheer shirt and complemented it with a brown blazer. After all, Rott, one of the five members of “Elevator Boys” — is fashion’s convincing futurist.Model, Daniel Sirohi, and Netflix’s Class fame Moses Kaultoo have taken it upon themselves to ensure the echo of sheers reaches the household. While Sirohi chose to amalgamate the magic of sheers and embellishments, Kaul paired it with a striped blazer set. Subtle, yet disruptive !!!
Crop Tops for Men? Yes, Please!!
If you are wondering what’s one thing that makes men 1000x hotter than when they decide to ditch the shirt entirely — the answer is when they grace crop tops and leave their abs, a little clandestine. While the acceptance of crop tops for men reflects a broader shift in the industry towards more inclusive and boundary-pushing designs — might we add, it looks sexy AF (it is in fact the sexiest kinda tease and men in crop tops have to be the hottest thing ever).
Take cues from model Moritz Hau, Corrado Martini, Matheus Almeida, influencer Andi and Kaden Hammond (who’s the internet’s favorite big boy, btw) — who have been twirling toes with their chiseled abs illusioned by the mercy of their crop tops. Closer home, when Siddhartha Raghavan does it, everyone else takes a backseat (Vivienne Westwood would be proud).
Pop of Colors
If nostalgia serves you well then you’d know that a few years ago,one would associate only darker shades with men’s wardrobes. Thankfully, our collective yearning for gentlemen, gracing colors has been heard. From the vibrant hues of blues and pinks to pastels like lilacs and corals, menswear has added tremendous colors spotlighting a cultural shift in menswear perceptions.
From Abhinav Mishra’s Rang Rangeeli collection where mirrors dance on colorful fabrics, to Papa Don’t Preach Grooms’ range donned by the likes of Siddharth Batra, multi-colored threads are all set to hail. This maximalist attribute however isn’t monopolised by the ethnic segment only. Runways and fashion capitals across the world are filled with men embracing the dopamine dressing trend. Inevitably, the internet too is filled with men embracing vibrant shades.
After watching Emily in Paris, you might be team Gabriel (we don’t blame you), but if wearing colors was a criterion, Elfie would emerge victorious without a doubt. If you want to rock suits but with a tinge of color, take inspo from model Parth Dutta who rocks corals and reds better than Riverdale’s Cheryl and Mean Girls’ Caren (sorry, not sorry).
Makeup
The tale of makeup and men has always been hidden under whispers. Till the early 2000s, only men in show business used to have a camaraderie with makeup. In fact, a tinge of makeup on men was heralded as non-masculine by convention. However, fashion’s favorite pastime has always been shattering conventions, and more men are embracing makeup — a practice that was previously associated with women.
Creators like Jeffree Star and James Charles paved the way for making make-up gender-neutral, and influencers like Bene Z from Elevator Boys and K-Pop Boy groups have brought makeup and skincare to the mainstream. Think androgynous looks, a clean simple look.
Men and Their Goddamn Pearls
Pearls are the latest accessory to join the gender neutral fashion mania. After watching Taylor Swift’s Bejeweled music video there has been a sudden urge to don jewels head-to-toe, right? But why should only girls have all the fun? Donning pearl necklaces, whimsical rings, belly chains, and trendy earpieces are a few accessories men are fiercely donning and we anticipate an even better influx in the upcoming years. Moritz Hau, Chirag Khanna, Ayush Chopra, and Gautam Manchandani’s Instagram feeds have tons of inspo for you to take notes. From Jacob Rott’s classic white pearls to Timothee Chalamet’s bone-shaped ones, there is something to choose no matter what aesthetic you resonate towards.
“Some years ago if men brought pearl necklaces to the public discourse, it would have raised certain eyebrows. While that might still be the case to some extent, these days every other guy is wearing pearls and they have learned to be comfortable with it. When people see that mainstream actors and creators play with fashion, they are more likely to experiment and play with it themselves”, says Bhavya Kumar, the creatormaking waves for his groundbreaking fashion content.
Skirt It Out
Wearing skirts can challenge conventional ideals of masculinity, promoting body positivity and empowering individuals to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. The increasing acceptance of men wearing skirts represents progress toward more inclusive, gender-neutral sensitivities. It highlights the importance of dismantling gender stereotypes and allowing individuals to express themselves authentically, regardless of societal expectations. Take cues from Ben from Elevator Boys, Parth Dutta, Ujjwal Dhir, and Bhavya who aren’t shy about donning it on the streets.
As per Bhavya, skirts add campiness to the overall look.“I don’t just want to wear oversized shirts, and cargo pants, and call it fashion. I like to have fun with it. I like adding a little campiness to my outfit. I love when the outfit stands out and it’s unique. I love it mean people tell me that didn’t know that a man could style these pieces so well. I keep experimenting with crop tops (which were made for men, you know), skirts and contemplate how do I make it stand out”, he says.
Kumar, who also practices what he preaches once went viral when he wore a skirt inside the Delhi Metro. “I did not expect it to go this viral. I thought it’ll maybe get some traction as it was something different, but it surpassed all my expectations. to the point every news channel covered it. That was pretty cool, exciting, and fun.”
The gender neutral fashion territory has never been more appealing. Mystical, experimental, and yet mainstream, these trends are set to cast long shadows in men’s wardrobes, once and for all.
Which is your favorite gender neutral fashion trend? And least favorite? Let us know in the comments. And if this article inspired you to try out something new, do share your IG pic with us by tagging us @shilpaahujadotcom!
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Androgynous Clothing & Power Dressing are Runway’s Latest Obsession
Evolution of Gay Fashion: Stereotypes to Self-Expression
#GenderNeutralFashion #TrendyAndMainstream #MenInPink #FashionWithoutBoundaries #FluidStylistic #SustainableStyle #FashionEvolution
Ditching the labels, embracing individuality - I'm loving the increasing trend of gender neutral fashion for men, freeing us to express ourselves without boundaries.