By Martha Powell and Freya Rogers
When it comes to famous red-carpet events, such as the Met Gala, the Oscars, or the Golden Globes, the men’s looks are often side-lined by the bright colours, intricate necklines, and billowing skirts of their female counterparts. Therefore, it is unsurprising that fashion journalists have a tendency to focus broadly on what the women are wearing. Men are often simply commended for their ‘classic’ look, with little elaboration. So why is it that men continue to opt for safe options on the red carpet? Is a change about to come? And what can we expect from the future of men’s red-carpet fashion?
There is no standard when it comes to women’s fashion in the twenty first century, whereas there is for men. This is, typically, why the men of Durham are never seen racing around in pursuit of something to wear to a ball, whilst women feel a need to message group chats to ask if they can borrow friends’ dresses, or frantically scour the ‘occasion wear’ tab on ASOS a week before. Likewise, it is uncommon for female celebrities on the red carpet to wear the same item twice. It appears that many, especially older, male celebrities stick to more traditional looks in a presentation of masculinity. To them, the triumvirate of a black bow tie, tailored black suit, and white shirt signals an embodiment of male sophistication. Overtly masculine men therefore are discouraged from taking risks with their designers out of a fear that their masculinity would be under threat. Examples that come to mind, such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Cruise, rarely stray from this long-established formula. Maybe this is because throughout history, fashion has long been viewed as a feminine activity, instilling the notion that men should not care about their own fashion sense, leaving many often opting for simple silhouettes or staying behind the scenes as designers or photographers. This consequentially has resulted in today’s…
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