The notion that men are no longer masculine because they choose to wear clothing that was deemed feminine by societal standards is incredibly harmful. Men like Harry Styles are doing their part to rid society of the need to fit everyone into a box when it comes to their identity and masculinity through their clothing choices that help to blur the lines between gender roles on a greater scale. Clothes are just pieces of fabric: Their association with one gender or another morphs and changes over time because their role in delineating between masculine and feminine is artificial.
Rigid gender roles are a problem that plagues society in so many different ways, both large and small. From seemingly small problems like men being criticized for wearing a dress to men being incredibly more likely to commit violent crimes, all of these issues contribute to the epidemic that is toxic masculinity.
“Toxic masculinity is defined by adherence to traditional male gender roles that consequently stigmatize and limit the emotions boys and men may comfortably express while showing other emotions such as anger.” Men have been raised to believe that being tough and strong is the only way you’ll be respected or be able to survive in society. Dressing ‘manly’ puts you in a better position somehow, but today some of the men in the entertainment industry have been breaking down all these walls.
Representing oneself through their clothes is an utmost form of self representation and tells us so much about the person. The following men aren’t afraid to show there true selves through their bold fashion choices. Meet some of the men who’ve brought about a change in the fashion industry:
Toxic masculinity fashion 