I’ve been thinking a lot about how historical menswear trends reflect deeper psychological shifts in societal concepts of masculinity.It’s engaging to consider how something like the peacocking of the 18th-century dandy,wiht their elaborate fabrics and powdered wigs,was both a display of wealth and status,but also a challenge to established power structures. It was a performance of masculinity that prioritized aesthetics and individuality, a stark contrast to the more stoic and duty-bound ideals expected before.
Later, the rise of the suit in the 19th and 20th centuries, with its emphasis on uniformity and conformity, seems to reflect a growing industrial society where fitting in and adhering to a set of norms was valued. While providing a sense of belonging and respectability, did this shift inadvertently stifle individual male expression?
Now, with the blending of streetwear and high fashion, along with a greater emphasis on comfort and personal expression, it feels like menswear is undergoing another major re-evaluation of what it means to be a man.Are we moving towards a more inclusive and diverse concept of masculinity,or simply chasing fleeting trends driven by marketing and social media? What are your thoughts on the psychological drivers behind the evolution of men’s fashion and its impact on how we perceive masculinity today?