It’s safe to say that the boys really are back in town. The 21st century has seen the rise in men’s fashion all over the world; not just on the high street in places like Topman, but also with designers like Vivienne Westwood.
Nowadays, we’re seeing more from menswear fashion blogs than ever before and it is definitely something that should be celebrated! Whilst doing my research on said menswear blogs, I came across four that just blew me away: The Urban Gentleman, Closet Freaks, Scout Sixteen and The Sartorialist.
The reason that they are high up in the blogosphere is not only the knowledge that far surpasses mine and many others, but it was also the photographs of themselves wearing the coolest outfits and what they were planning to wear next season. It’s little things like these that are so helpful if you’re in need of an inspirational pick-me-up and also make a great fashion blog.
However, in the same breath, it could be argued whether men feel that pressure of looking ‘fresh to death’ all the time and whether it is the same for that of women. As a young woman myself, I know that pressure when you walk into a place like Topshop or Zara; the only reason you want to buy that particular garment in your hand is because it’ll make you look good, not feel good. So I put this to the test and asked two very fashion-conscious friends of mine, Joe Jarvis and Max Pollard.
I asked them both whether they feel that pressure that I mentioned earlier and whether they feel like they have to always think twice about their outfit for the day ahead. Joe said: “I feel we are pressured in a similar amount but in a completely different context. It’s something that goes unnoticed to everybody else unless you want to stand out, but for the average man it’s a pretty unspoken thing.”
While Joe understands that the pressure is out there for men for always to look ‘fashionable’, Max said it’s important to be different and one step ahead. “I’m always doing things that are slightly different but not too mental. But mainly, I don’t think about it enough – I just wear what I fancy at the time.” I’ve known Max for about a year now and Joe, slightly longer; but from knowing both of them, I can firmly say that fashion and styling is pretty important to them as it is for most young men in the UK.