Is the Manosphere Changing What It Means to Dress Like a Man? These Runway Looks Say Yes
There’s a lot of noise right now about what it means to “be a man.” Tech moguls are posting about grit and discipline, fitness influencers are ranting about testosterone, and podcast hosts are handing out personality diagnoses like candy. At the heart of all this is a shared anxiety: that masculinity is under threat. Call it the manosphere mindset—an online echo chamber that sees strength as fixed, and softness as failure.
But while that conversation loops endlessly online, fashion is offering a quieter, more compelling counterpoint. Across runways, editorials, and Instagram feeds, designers and stylists aren’t trying to defend masculinity. They’re reshaping it. Not with slogans, but with silhouettes. Not by yelling, but by dressing.
The following looks don’t offer a single answer to what masculinity is. They show seven different versions of it, and none of them are asking for permission.
1. Blazer and Knit
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There’s something deeply self-assured about this pairing. The muted tones, the relaxed cut, the way each layer rests rather than clings. It’s not about dominance—it’s about knowing you don’t need to prove anything.
2. Oversized Knit and Camo
This look trades rigidity for texture. A massive, hand-knit scarf wraps around the torso while camouflage pants sit low and loose. It’s physical but open. Assertive, but not armored.
3. Patterned Layers Under a Red Suit
Here, the red suit sets up a frame. What’s inside—a floral shirt, thick zip-up sweater—is a deliberate clash. The effect is layered and loud, but not chaotic. It’s a refusal to simplify masculinity into a single tone.
4. Pearl-Draped Bodice
There’s no “feminine” or “masculine” here—just muscle and ornamentation sharing the same space. Beads spill across a sheer corset as casually as veins stretch over biceps. Neither undermines the other.
5. Tailored Resortwear in Burnt Orange
Short sleeves, a tie belt, and sharp stripes meet in a look that’s controlled but never stiff. It doesn’t try to fight the idea of softness—it wears it well, then walks off calmly.
6. Cropped Knit and Baggy Denim
This look could’ve come from a late-’90s MTV set, but it doesn’t feel nostalgic. A frayed, cropped sweater meets baggy jeans and a visible waistband. It’s confident without being cool for cool’s sake.
7. Cropped Jacket
Every part of this outfit—black zip-up, short shorts, layers of silver, heavy ink—is dialed up. And yet, the energy feels inward. This isn’t for attention. It’s a self-contained world, fully formed, fully owned.
The Manosphere Might Be Talking, But Fashion’s Doing the Work
There’s been a lot of concern, real or manufactured, about masculinity “losing its way.” But if you watch what’s happening in fashion, the story isn’t about loss. It’s about expansion.
The manosphere wants borders: who’s in, who’s out, what counts, what doesn’t. But fashion is choosing to blur, bend, and rewrite those lines entirely. Whether it’s a suit without a shirt, a knit top over visible abs, or florals under a blazer, the message isn’t rebellion—it’s range.
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