Are Fashion Trends for Men Stagnating? Or Are They in no Need of Change?

For as long as we can remember, the modern Western man has worn shirt, coat, pants, and a bit more recently, a tie. Save for a few small changes in lengths and maybe widths, this fashion of clothing has been maintained throughout the years.

Women’s clothes, on the other hand, has varied in shape, size, and transparency, every season.

So is men’s fashion stagnating? Is it time for a change?

If it’s not broken, should we fix it anyway?

Short answer: we don’t think so.

Long answer

While we can imagine women looking good and feeling more comfortable in a pair of pants rather than a Victorian dress, it’s somewhat hard to imagine a man looking equally good and comfortable in a skirt rather than slacks.

Perhaps there is a philosophical and ideological reason why women have felt the need to get rid of their corsets and long, voluminous skirts, and start wearing those pretty little (and we mean little, but who’s complaining?) outfits instead. And there is a strong comfort-based reason why women would want to wear jeans.

But what reason—philosophical, ideological, or comfort-based—would drive a regular straight guy to exchange his slacks for a blouse and a pencil cut?

The fact is, men’s clothes look sleek, edgy, and are comfortable. Why would anybody want to change them?

The ultimate male accessory

One reason why a man would want some change, though, is the desire for more self-expression and individuality.

But instead of changing our basic clothing, we simply added the one thing that gives life to a man’s outfit and acts as the ultimate male accessory: the necktie. And—boom!—we are individualized.

And how we have maximized the necktie! From paisley ties to plaid ties, wide ties, thin ties, stripes, checkers, dots, faces, neons, even bows—we are pushing ties to the limit, and the end is still not in sight.

Without a necktie, a guy wearing a shirt and slacks would look ordinary and bland. Ties add that certain pizazz to the whole ensemble. They give life and uniqueness, as well as formality and respectability to a look.

Some men like their ties printed, with designs that are loud and fun, while some settle for the simpler, more corporate look.

The good thing about neckties is that you can wear them all year round, and it’s all up to how you mix and match it with your shirts.

Necktie brands

Ralph Lauren is one of those brands that specialize in men’s apparel. They have a huge collection of plaid silk ties that can be paired perfectly crisp polo shirts.

Gucci also has its own offering of plaid neckties that are already considered classic in terms of design.

The plaid tie is a staple in any man’s wardrobe; he has to have at least one in his closet.

From the classic design, let’s move on to the modern necktie. The thin tie, more popularly known as the skinny tie, is worn by a new age of male fashionistas. It is not used with formal wear but for a more casual look.

Hugo Boss has released its skinny black ties into the market, and they’ve sold like hotcakes. Manolo Blahnik, known for its worldwide popular shoe collection, has recently been making waves for creating a number of designs for thin neckties.

The modern day male fashionista

Some people might say that there is always a rule in fashion. For neckties, plain goes with a printed shirt, while a printed tie goes with a plain shirt.

We don’t think so. If truth be told, it doesn’t really matter so much what goes with what. What does matter is that you learn how to harmonize your clothing.

Mastering that skill, you will be able to flout all the fashion rules. You’ll be creating your own fashion—one that does not stagnate, because it, in its own way, is in constant positive change.

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