Image via Complex Original
Dudes hate it when women tell them what to wear. But truth be told, a lot of guys secretly borrow style trends from the ladies. Most guys won't admit it or aren't even conscience of it, but the fairer sex utilize a bunch of sartorial aesthetics that can translate to a man's wardrobe. You're probably thinking of guys in skinny jeans and skirts, but it goes so much deeper than that.
If you want to become the steez-lord that you perceive yourself as, you're going to have to steal some of your girl's swag. With the rise of unisex clothing, the lines between men's and women's clothing have gotten more and more blurred. It's becoming dope for guys and girls to mirror one another in certain ways, and they both look awesome. You might not even know it, but you could be stealing her personal style right now. Here are 11 Current Style Trends You Can Thank Women For.
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Top knots
It's normal for women to put their hair in some sort of ponytail/bun combination, but for guys who let their wavy hair flow, there are very few options when it comes to corralling their locks. The top knot has become the go-to method of containing their hair if they don't want to rock a straight-up ponytail. We imagine guys with this style channeling their inner samurai on the path to steez actualization. All a guy needs is to throw on a noragi, and hope his girlfriend doesn't wear the same 'do on a date.
Beaded necklaces
When it comes to jewelry for guys, less is better. Other than a watch, beaded necklaces are a way for guys to stunt without throwing on any gold or ice. Women have been wearing these necklaces, but they've become a hit within menswear as something that looks cool when layered over a white T-shirt. Beaded necklaces are so low-key and subtle that if you don't wear too many at once, they may even go unnoticed. Just don't let your girl ever refer to this as "cute," and, no, it's not OK if she borrows yours.
Skirts
William Wallace wore one and so did Kanye West, but it goes without saying that the skirt trend came from women. While women will wear their skirt and show some leg, guys have been rocking their skirts as a layering piece. If played right, a skirt looks like a longer shirt that helps you play with proportion rather than looking like you stole a schoolgirl's outfit.
Layering multiple T-shirts
To be honest, it looks corny when women wear a couple T-shirts together and brings us back to the suburbs in the early-2000s. But guys have flipped this style in a new way. Instead of wearing a popping undershirt to go under a lower-cut T-shirt, guys are letting the T-shirt layers show in the length. Wearing a longer T-shirt under a regular-length tee can give an unexpected punch to an outfit, or you can go next level and wear a basketball jersey underneath a T-shirt. This is one of the least daring fashion risks you'll take, but when executed properly, your outfit will have the right amount of weird you've been searching for all along.
Cropped jackets
Men get weird when they have to wear anything short: shorts, T-shirts, and jackets. But cropped jackets become a way for guys to distort their silhouette and allow their next-level layering to flourish. Women have been wearing shorter jackets for ages, amongst other length-deficient garments. Designers like Damir Doma are making it fashion-forward for men to make the back of their T-shirt visible when wearing a jacket. Just make sure you don't wear the jacket by itself.
Carrying portfolios like clutches
Women love their handbags, but when they're not carrying a purse, they're stuffing all their necessities into a clutch bag. It's super awkward for a guy to have a handbag, but somehow it's approved for them to carry portfolios around that look oddly familiar to a clutch bag. Instead of lugging around a tote or a backpack, the portfolio has dudes looking super important like they're walking around with top-secret documents. They're also opting for high-fashion portfolios from labels like Givenchy or keeping it simple with a worn-in, brown leather variety.
Floral and leopard prints
Guys have become more comfortable wearing color and prints, especially bright florals and animal prints that women have laid claim to for eons. But over the past few years, men have owned the concept of being dripped in flowers or wearing a hat that best resembles their girl's panties. It feels like every collection has a statement print, and guys no longer get questioned for having an affinity for anything bright. Wearing a series of pieces with the same print has even become an acceptable style risk, but overdoing it should be left to your own discretion.
Playing with proportion/silhouette
Most people are worried about how well clothes fit, but they rarely assume what a misshapen, strange-fitting garment can do for their personal style. Women wear sweaters with too-tight arms and a big body. We can't imagine guys doing that, oh, yes we can. High fashion has made playing with silhouette acceptable for men. You've probably seen neoprene shirts that awkwardly fit a guy's body, and they're rad.
Akin to playing with silhouette, there's also playing with proportion. Women love to wear long shirts with short-shorts and make you question if they're even wearing shorts at all. This is strange for dudes, but you can wear an extra-long shirt with pretty slim pants and throw your outfit's alignment out of wack. And if done right, you'll be the most stylish guy around.
Skinny jeans
Skinny jeans are nothing new. They've come and gone in men's style, but have stayed as a staple amongst women. Guys can get afraid to wear their pants too tight, but a slim pair of denim can fit in the right way and look better than something baggy and ill fitting. Women don't get shit for wearing jeans that hug every single one of their curves, but for guys, showing off your bulge is never a good look. Still, when done right, skinny jeans for guys can be considered badass and have become a staple among rappers, rockers, and anyone who wants to look like they stole their sister's jeans.
Tunics
Tunics were worn by Vikings and dudes who fucked shit up. Since those days, they haven't been worn much, except by women. They love them. Tunics come in all shapes and variations, but they're generally super long shirts that hang around your mid-thigh to knee. Pharrell has taken a liking to a long popover shirt from BBC Black, and it circumferences a handful of women's style trends that dudes have been rocking. A tunic can play with proportion, give you a new silhouette with its loose body, and even be layered. You'll be as awesome as a Viking, just don't go swinging an axe.
Leggings under shorts
Wearing shorts in the fall or even the early spring can be tricky. Women learned that you can throw on a pair of spandex underneath your shorts and get the best of both worlds. For guys, it's weird wearing spandex or anything tight, but when worn under a pair of steezy or cozy shorts, people won't notice that your balls are being crushed. If you're not down with sporting long Johns or meggings under your shorts, try a pair of running pants. If anything, you can tell the bros you just came from the gym.