It’s finally time for Fall 2010 — not only does this mean new classes, books, friends and maybe a significant other, but it also means a new wave of men’s fashion!
But what can we expect this year?
It seems that these days, more and more designers are trying to push the envelope and give us something we’ve never seen before.
For those of us who enjoy reading any of those famous men’s magazines, I’m sure you all will understand what I am saying.
From outrageous colors to seemingly impossible to wear outfits, men’s fashion is forever changing.
However, in recent years there has been a less obvious trend that not only fashion designers have been following, but also guys in general.
At one point in time a fashionable male was either a celebrity or an elite, or considered feminine.
Some years ago a fashionable man looked like Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Zack Morris), Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin. Today, men become men. More grungy, more hairy and more inked.
Let’s face it . . . the pretty boy is dead.
It’s a slowly growing trend, but it’s happening. Open up a magazine, or watch a online stream of any formidable men’s fashion show, you’ll see it.
Even better, go outside and count the number of guys with long facial hair, tattoos, piercings, oversized muscles, and intentionally disheveled hair.
Sitting here at Barnes and Noble, I can count at least 10 guys within eyesight that are following this, whether they know it or not, and still look great.
Like any unique art form, the slow change is a beautiful trend of its own. In the 80s, those guys would’ve been considered unfashionable, or maybe unkempt, but today, they look like a million bucks.
Well, what exactly is a pretty boy? I guess that’s a hard question to answer, as everyone's style is different, but I’m sure we can come to an agreement.
When I think of your “typical” pretty boy, I think of the blonde hair, maybe some highlights, perfect skin, absolutely no facial hair, very neat and well matched clothes . . . for example, Justin Timberlake, and the other unnamed guys of N’SYNC.
Stylish yes, but things have changed.
Check out the newest issue of Details.
You’ll see it as early as the cover: a very ripped Zac Efron standing in front of some grungy background wearing a gray tank, looking as if he just got back from the gym.
Zac Efron? Isn’t that the clean, pastel wearing pretty boy with the baby face from High School Musical that every ten year old girl had a crush on? Even our Disney Channel friends are making the change.
You tell me, which Zac Efron would you rather look like? Keep strolling through the magazine and count the pretty blondes you’ll find.
Maybe two.
Now try that again and count the dark haired guys with thick beards and overworked abs . . . Voila! You have the entire magazine.
Sure, these guys are dressed like this because that’s what the designers want.
But what about the models who are known for their extraordinarily masculine appearances?
If you haven’t heard of these guys . . . look them up! Jamie Dornan, Sean O'Pry, Taylor Fuchs, Jon Kortajarena, and Cole Mohr to name a few.
A couple of years ago when, let’s say, Mario Lopez dominated the attractive category, these guys would’ve never had a chance in the modeling world. Now these guys are the highest paid, most successful and most prominent male models in the industry.
What do they have in common? They’re all grungy, hairy, muscly, or tatted up.
In the end, I’m not saying that all of us guys need to grow a thick beard, hit the gym, and get some tattoos.
It’s very personal, and it’s a growing trend. Fashion will never be definite, and knowing that, it’s fun to give a few new things a try.
Lose the overly matched outfits and forget the gel one day, see what you think.
Someone new may just check you out that day, and you’ll probably save a good ten minutes in the morning. And really, does it get any better than that?
