FACTS ABOUT MEN'S FASHION

Fashion trends come and go, but one thing is for sure: certain style choices from men’s fashion history are better left forgotten.

If we go back in time to Vikings age, it is already possible to identify fashion trends. Vikings clothes were made of wool, linen, and animal skin. They would also wear a bracelet used as currency: an arm-ring known as ring-money. When silver was needed to buy something, they would hack off pieces of the arm ring and use it to pay for the item.

But no, Vikings never wore horned helmets as displayed by many depictions... We cannot blame them for the worst fashion trend ever! Horned helmets were worn by warriors and religious people from many different countries, but not by Vikings.

Moving forward to late modern era, the middle-class men’s suit originated in England at the turn of the 20th century. The suit consisted of a jacket, a waistcoat (vest), and the trousers.

Every gentleman would wear tailored made suits, accompanied by accessories such as gloves, watches, and stylish hats to complete the outfit.

Upper class men of this era would change clothes several times a day: they would wear darker colors and special fabrics for evening events.

All decades have their defining features, but it is true that certain fashion trends can be dangerous:

In the 1910’s, lighter fabrics and simpler suits grew popular - detachable collars became a trend, meaning that men didn’t have to change their shirt every day. The collars were starched to a stiffness that could suffocate! The New York times obituary headlined once: “Choked by his collar”. Such collar had made the first “fashion victim”.

G. Bruce Boyer, fashion expert, writes in True Style, The History and Principles of Classic Menswear “Beginning in the 1930s… the stuffed sausage look began to change. Central heating, lighter weight fabrics, and a more relaxed social attitude all contributed to making men’s clothes more comfortable.”

By the mid ‘20s, colored and lighter suits, and hats inspired by the Jazz era and the birth of Hollywood movies, were trends, alongside bow ties and fedoras ( a fedora is a hat made with soft brim and indented crown):

"The boater hats and fedoras were tragic. Fedoras have never been and will never be OK" - Fashion market editor Scott Shapiro.

The Great Depression affected the world economy and fashion had to adapt – maintaining style while cutting expenses.

By the end of the ‘30s, the zoot suits were born: excessive fabric and sleeves with pants worn tight at the waist describes the outfit perfectly. There was a keychain accessory extended to the knees... Does it sound familiar? You can see your gen Z kid’s keychain attached to a pair of skinny black jeans tossed on the floor? Exactly. Fashion comes and goes.

Zoot suits were associated with gangsters. Most men were fighting overseas, and the suits – which went against fabric rations – were seen to be unpatriotic.

After the war, men’s fashion became practical and elegant. Nothing flashy – at least nothing pricey as to offend the economy recovery efforts. No more excessive fabric. Suits without vests. Time to avoid wasting and recover growth.

The ‘40s sees the tie becoming a way of expressing individuality. For relaxing moments, the Hawaiian shirts become a trend. The Hawaiian shirts (or Aloha shirts) can be a liberating experience: men simply keep coming back to it.

The ‘50s brought casual attire, shorts, the polo shirt, sports blazers, lighter fabrics, comfort and the iconic sunglasses! And last, but not least: greased-back hair styles (watching Elvis movies you can see such greasers and other trends )!

For a snapshot of ‘60s fashion looks you can pick The Beatles tighter fitting suits, narrow pants, skinny ties, and their fans branching off flowered patterns, bright colors, velvet pants, love and peace stamps as the fashion spotlight.

In the ‘70s, men’s fashion was all about Disco looks. Turtleneck sweaters, platform shoes, pretty much dangerous bell bottoms, leisure suits, came up on stage – to rock the look, add colors and patterns. There you have it!

The’80s saw a variety of fashion-forward trends: work out, hip hop, rock and punk styles. T-shirts, leather, denim, and the bomber jackets (also known as ugly jackets) are popular. Sneakers and caps all branching music stars influence. Chunky gold chains make a start here.

The ‘90s is about denying all previous trends to make minimalism a first choice. Flannel shirts, overalls, cargo pants ( one of the worst fashion crimes against humanity ) , baggy jeans, windbreakers, ripped jeans, sandals, played a big role. Never forget the Velcro wallets with a noisy rip announcing to the world you were just about to spend your money : style accessory better kept in your overalls pocket!

In the mid -2000s style is King. Youth fashion is highly influenced by music stars and sports, distressed jeans and sneakers are must-haves. T-shirts announce you are member of an athletic club. Sunglasses and footwear are now available on a variety of on-trend styles. Sadly, fitness leggings with no underwear completes the combo.

The 2010s , put casual looks along with hipster and vintage fashion on trend. We are not going to debate the drop-crotch meggings right now. Girls certainly wish guys would pull their pants up, but the halfway down to the knees pants took the streets. Look away! Now, remember those Fedoras from the ‘20s? We have already talked about it...

It’s a long journey from Vikings age to recent days, but sometimes it looks like the distance is shortened by certain choices we make. You know those wearables banks are now using for credit transactions, right? We can totally relate them to Vikings arm-rings used for the same purpose.

You can express yourself, sending messages, and show how you have changed through fashion...

From a fashion standpoint, for better or for worse, things always change. Let’s just make sure changes are for the better.

Claudete Mello, Content writer - July, 2019