Fashion Trends: The Men's Wear Period Marked as Peak Millennial Kitsch - Yet, I Pine for It Still
In the year 2013, the London fashion scene was heavily influenced by the popular TV show Mad Men, with men donning chinos, polished brogues, blazers, and folded pocket squares. This era was also marked by knitted ties, patterned scarves, and roll necks under a peacoat being popular winter fashion choices. Tumblr and Instagram provided a platform for men to showcase their fashion, and the #menswear movement was in full swing.
However, the landscape of men's fashion began to change drastically over the years. The author, who started working for a men's fashion magazine in 2013, noted this shift. The #menswear era, with its emphasis on fit, colour coordination, and general effort, is now considered an aberration and peak Millennial cringe in today's slobcore era.
This transition can be seen as a reaction to the growing strain of hyper individualism, as noted by the acclaimed author Zadie Smith in her 2020 essay collection Imitations. Smith, who has been teaching at NYU, commented that her students, living with little hope of institutional or structural support, contend with perilous futures, untenable debt, and fear. In this uniquely powerless age, rejecting norms has become a gesture of empowerment.
One of the most notable trends in this shift is the 'dad core' aesthetic. Characterised by loose-fitting clothing, practical footwear, and a general lack of concern for fashion rules, 'dad core' is another trend that contributed to the last-days-of-Rome vibe. The "ugly trainer trend" also gained popularity during this time, with Supreme selling bricks for $30 marking the streetwear zenith/nadir.
Interestingly, the Covid-19 pandemic acted as an accelerant of this Gen Z nihilism. With the notion of 'dress codes' becoming redundant for two to three years, individuals and groups such as punk subcultures, avant-garde fashion designers, and certain youth movements have used unconventional men's clothing as a form of power expression.
However, it's worth noting that this isn't just a trend limited to the younger generation. Justin Bieber's disregard for fit, colour coordination, and general effort in dressing is interpreted as liberated and edgy in 2025. Smith noted that the infinite promise of American youth has been an empty lie for so long that her students joke about it with a black humor, and this sentiment extends perfectly to how a generation now thinks about the way they dress.
In conclusion, the evolution of men's fashion over the past decade reflects the societal changes and the struggles faced by the younger generation. From the polished and structured looks of 2013 to the casual and unconventional styles of today, it's clear that fashion is not just about clothes, but a form of self-expression and rebellion in a uniquely powerless era.
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