This week’s article is another one from The Conversation and discusses the history of men wearing dresses, where it all went wrong for them, and what it would take to make a dress that men might actually wear.
Friday essay: will the perfect men’s dress ever exist – and would men wear it?
More famous men are wearing dresses, harking back to ancient times, when androgynous clothing was the norm. But for male dresses to truly take off they might need a style separate to women’s.
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You have to think what does a full dress do. It can show off the figure of the subject. For most men this is not really their thing. Men’s clothing style is really broken up, top, bottom. It has been tried to make one piece wear. Remember the onesie in the 70’s. Talk about a lead ballon. I have a could of dress shirts, but looks like I’m missing something at the waist.
The right dress shirt is very comfortable, but not flattering.
That is true about men’s clothing styles tending to be broken up between top and bottom. That’s probably one of the reasons I feel compelled to wrap a belt around my waist on the rare occasion I wear a dress. I just think it looks better on me. Even the onesies of the 70s usually had a belt of some sort for division.
An interesting read but my perception is that the situation has moved on considerably, in no small measure due to the effect of Covid, which the article concedes but fails to develop. This forced many people to work from home for extended periods and gave them the opportunity to get away from the (dreaded) business suit and move to much more casual clothes, including experimenting with skirts and dresses. Further, I don’t agree with the article’s premise that there could be a “perfect” men’s dress. Perfect for whom? We are all different shapes and sizes, have different likes and dislikes and dress differently for different occasions. There could never be (nor should there be) a one size and style fits all dress for men as there isn’t for women. We should not be talking about a uniform (which the business suit has become) but a way for men to express themselves through their clothes. And that expression will be different for each person.
The article was published in 2021, so the social effects of Covid were still not entirely known yet. You are right about that being a huge influence though. It was what got me on my journey to wearing skirts practically full time.
I took “perfect dress” to mean more of a style that would lure more men to the world of wearing dresses rather than just a single dress: a little like how men tend to wear the classic combination of jeans and a checkered shirt. It’s a style rather than a specific set of clothing.
I agree wtihg Gerald, that there is no single “Perfect” dress for men, anymore than there is one such for women. Look to the many dress like male garments around the world. Thigh-length tunic and tights (especially with a belt) is a terrific look on guys, and does accentuate the male physique well (as discussed as an objective in the article). One of my favorite outfits, as well. However, many of the imaged examples are essentially impractical party gowns, which can NEVER be a “perfect” dress – for anyone, though they are a visual treat. Drop-waist dresses also work well on male bodies, more so than on women’s (where they tend to look awkward).
Also unaddressed are the questions of texture and color/pattern, and how these relate to masculine dress. There’s much to say there, too much for this simple comment.
Thanks Alex.
As I mentioned in my reply to Gerald, I think when they mention “perfect dress”, they mean a style that will attract more men to the world of dresses. Of course ball gowns are, as you mentioned, very impractical and will never fit that bill, but may a more rugged-looking dress would help? That would also play into texture and color/pattern.