Collars, Culture & Couture: The Evolution of Men’s Fashion

When did men stop dressing like spreadsheets and start dressing like Pinterest boards?
It’s a question that haunts most of us every time we spot a man in a mesh shirt and pearl necklace, confidently sipping an iced matcha while checking stock prices. Somewhere between Greek togas and Harry Styles, the evolution of men’s fashion flipped its script from functional to flamboyant, from utility to unapologetic.

(We love a good plot twist but we’re still baffled by how we went from caveman tunics to couture capes in just a few…centuries.)

Let’s rewind.

THE CLOTHES BEFORE THE CLOUT

For most of fashion history, men weren’t exactly “playing dress-up”—they were dressing up for war, work, or weddings (sometimes all at once). Ancient Egypt, Rome, India—wherever you looked, garments served symbolic or status-driven purposes. Think armour with flair. Drapes with dominance. The history of menswear was coded in power.

Then came industrialization and colonization. Uniforms. Grey suits. Functional tailoring. By the 20th century, the male wardrobe had been thoroughly Marie Kondo-ed: if it didn’t serve a purpose, it was out.

And thus, the age of bland businesswear was born.

THE SLOW-BURN STYLE REVOLUTION

The 1960s sparked a quiet sartorial riot. Beatles, Bowie, and bell bottoms entered the chat. The 70s? Disco collars. The 80s? Power suits. The 90s? Grunge and minimalism. Y2K? A fever dream we’re still recovering from.

But it wasn’t until the mid-2010s that a global shift hit: fashion was no longer just for women. And no, it wasn’t just about metrosexuality or Korean pop stars. It was about a growing appetite for self-expression. Gen Z and millennials asked, “Why should girls have all the fun?” and proceeded to raid the fashion world with painted nails, cropped tops, and unapologetic prints.

(And well, if you can pull them off then who cares what the world thinks?)

SOCIETY’S BEST DRESSED REBELLION

We can’t talk about the evolution of men’s fashion without zooming out. Changing gender norms. Body positivity. A rejection of toxic masculinity. Suddenly, a man in a skirt wasn’t shocking, it was fashion-forward.

Case in point: the global men’s fashion 2025 market is projected to surpass $780 billion by 2025, outpacing women’s fashion in growth rate. (Yes, we said outpacing. Cue collective gasp.)

Online shopping, influencer culture, and the rise of gender-fluid brands have redefined the history of menswear. Today’s fashion-conscious male is no longer boxed into “slacks and shirts.” He’s wearing mesh, silk, linen, lace—and pairing them with sneakers, heels, or loafers (Yes, men now have options).

MEN, BUT MAKE THEM MAIN CHARACTER

The modern man wants fashion that tells a story. That feels like an extension of identity—not a costume for capitalism. That’s why you’ll find:

• Streetwear colliding with suiting.
• Workwear merging with wedding wear.
• Androgynous blazers being styled with combat boots and delicate chains.

The aesthetic? Chaotic neutral meets emotionally available.

And we’re here for it.

A CULTURE OF CURATION

Here’s the thing: Men’s fashion isn’t becoming more feminine. It’s becoming more expressive. More layered. More... curated.

In 2025, men aren’t just dressing. They’re styling. They’re moodboarding. They’re investing in silhouette, sustainability, and story. According to McKinsey, personalization and experimentation are driving higher retention rates in menswear than ever before.
[Which makes sense. Once you’ve worn a hand-embroidered trench with graffiti art, regular jeans feel like betrayal.]

WHERE WE ARE, AND WHERE WE’RE GOING

So where does that leave us?

Right here—in a menswear renaissance. The rise of gender-neutral fashion. Runways filled with pearl harnesses and sheer layers. Style no longer split down the gender binary.

We’re living in a time where “masculine” can mean oversized suiting or sheer knits. Where fashion weeks are curated like art galleries. Where Instagram grids double as portfolios. Where the lines between street, luxury, and loungewear are blurring faster than you can say “Jacquemus drop.”

This isn’t just a trend. It’s a cultural correction.

AND THIS IS JUST PART 1...

We’ve traced the history of menswear, witnessed the evolution of men’s fashion, and peeked into the psyche of the 2025 man.

But Part 2? That’s where it gets juicy.

We’ll dive into silhouettes shaking up the industry, the cult of quiet luxury, why androgyny is the new authority, and how emerging Indian designers are flipping the global script. Think less Wall Street, more woke street.
Spoiler alert: Men’s fashion 2025 is rewriting all the rules.

[And we’ve got the pen.]