Words by Ryan Gattaora
With celebrities like Barry Keoghan challenging the traditional formalities of male fashion, why should you be following this trend?
Close your eyes and let that familiar summer breeze wash over your face. Now, imagine a fusion of two stereotypes — a cocktail of sorts, but not your usual spicy margarita — a Gen Z mix: the Modern Man, the Modern Gentleman.
To define this Modern Gentleman, we must look at the common follies associated with the “straight man.” This is someone who challenges the conventional paradigm, laughing in the face of toxic masculinity and its foundations, distilling a sense of trepidation towards masculine norms.
A self-professed gentleman might tell you, as he rubs VO5 Matt Clay into his new skin fade, that “you should never even look in the women’s department.” He then pulls on skinny jeans that are too tight but not tight enough to claim any knowledge about individuality. This loaded statement suggests that it isn’t manly to explore yourself and discover what you truly like.
Regardless of whether you, as a reader, agree with this sentiment, it doesn’t allow room for progression in the new Gen Z wave. Lectures from fathers and grandfathers have cemented the ludicrous idea that men have boundaries, with walls stopping them from seeing clarity. Many fall into bad habits, such as getting the same haircut from their local Turkish barber every month.
However, there has been a 65% increase in male customers in the beauty industry, from concealers to cucumber eye pads. Men across the UK are embracing self-gratification and self-care. This trend mirrors beauty and health standards in Seoul, South Korea, where looking good is taken personally. Whether it’s being more confident in applying a face mask on unshaven skin or surgically plucking eyebrow hairs from a bushy unibrow, men are doing it!
This Modern Gentleman mentality seeps into our society daily, whether through adopting the new era mullet or finding stylish loafers at Duke & Dexter.
The tropes that men now adopt have become blurred. I often find myself scrolling through my explore page, looking at accounts like Uniform Display and preferring the feminine style elements over traditional male-centric ones. Is this acceptable? From personal experience, I’ve split the bill on a first date, so why can’t gentlemen split their fashion choices?
The Modern Gentleman strikes a balance in the fight against stereotypes. Guided femininity allows men to explore options, like wearing Chanel ballet flats on Monday and Adidas shorts on Friday.
Consider how men can now confidently walk into piercing shops and request various piercings without awkward glances. It has become common for some couples to exchange styles; for instance, my girlfriend and I trade vintage Carhartt jackets for comfy cropped cardigans, promoting gender positivity in our relationship.
This raises the question: what defines personality today? Is it about exploring styles or simply buying an over-branded t-shirt that screams, “I have too much money and don’t know what to do with it?” While definitive answers may be elusive, exploring one’s identity is vital, especially as jewellery, makeup, and feminine attire increasingly define Gen Z men.
With celebrities like Paul Mescal and Jacob Elordi reshaping male perceptions of fashion, we now see a socially acceptable blend of styles. Exploring one’s identity is essential, especially in a world painted in shades of grey. Let’s paint the town red again!
Stereotypes based on culture or skin colour have long pigeonholed people, creating intimidation around approaching the unfamiliar. This is particularly true in the Gen Z era. Influencers like Gustavo Milton guide the Modern Gentleman in navigating these challenges, helping to alleviate any discomfort about wearing new finds from flea markets
So, the next time you look in the mirror, sporting a Vinted pair of Levi’s 550s and your shiny new G.H. BASS loafers — perhaps paired with an oversized knit — don’t hesitate to grab that Chanel clutch you’ve been wanting to wear. Embrace your style and personality without intimidation!
