By Gordon Ng,
It's safe to say that for most of the past three decades, mainstream men's fashion has been boring in comparison to that of women. It's not just because that department has generally had fewer and leaner product categories. The rundown of any red carpet would tell of the classicism that's dominated the scene.
Yet in recent years, something's changed. Menswear designers have started to experiment more and the industry welcomed radicals spanning the late Virgil Abloh to Ludovic de Saint Sernin. And with revenge dressing going into overdrive now, brands have stepped up on the joie de vivre and playfulness to rival the women's collections.
Which brings us to how the "soft boy" look has now gone mainstream. Indeed, the biggest and most powerful look in menswear these days would fit right into the women's wardrobe. The message is one of flamboyance and utmost confidence. The proof: a whole range of crop, sheer or cut-out tops; bustier or portrait necklines; the use of materials like lace and tulle; and the prettiest skirts that even brides would approve of.
Here's a glimpse at how the soft boy is represented on the Men's Fall/Winter 2022 runways.