Men's Most Provocative Attire: What Takes the Cake?
In the world of fashion, perceptions are constantly evolving, and this is particularly true for men's clothing. Two fashion experts, Aaron Levine and Ian Bradley, have discussed the changing landscape of men's fashion, including the reevaluation of certain items traditionally considered "slutty" or overly provocative.
Speedos, the revealing swim brief, are making a comeback, with designers like Bode and Wales Bonner endorsing the trend. Cropped tees, once seen as sensual, have become so popular among Gen Z that they are now being rebranded as slutty, according to Ian Bradley. Flip-flops, once casual footwear, have elevated to the season's hottest shoe for men, with status pairs available from The Row and ERL.
However, the classically "slutty" clothing items, such as sheer or see-through shirts, very tight or skimpy pants, open vests or deep V-neck tops, leather or latex pieces, excessively low-rise jeans, and running shorts with a mesh lining, still hold their connotations. These items are often associated with hyper-sexualized fashion, typically used in certain subcultures or styles aiming for that effect.
Ian Bradley finds surfer cosplay appealing, but wearing board shorts very low is considered truly slutty. Certain cropped tees can reveal a lot when a man puts his arms above his head, and cutting the sides low to reveal obliques is a specifically gay thing, according to Bradley. On the other hand, an oversized button-down shirt with one button done up feels more sensual than slutty, but short-shorts are obviously crossing a line.
The fashion industry is captivated by the ways men are showing skin, both on and offline. This summer, the East Coast is experiencing near-record high temperatures, making the trend of revealing clothing even more prevalent. Celebrities like Pedro Pascal and Alexander Skarsgård have been spotted in sleeveless shirts and skin-tight trousers, respectively, on the red carpet.
Designer Aaron Levine chooses practical clothing like running shorts and short swim trunks for comfort in the heat, but not with the intention of being slutty. He finds it uncomfortable to have wet fabric clinging to him, opting for a short swim trunk instead.
Looking ahead, Balenciaga's fall 2025 show features several looks that Ian Bradley considers to be slutty, indicating that the conversation around men's fashion will continue to evolve. As perceptions shift, it's clear that fashion is a dynamic and ever-changing landscape, with men's clothing trends reflecting these changes.
- Designers like Bode and Wales Bonner are endorsing the comeback of Speedos, the revealing swim brief, in the changing landscape of men's fashion.
- Ian Bradley suggests that certain cropped tees can reveal a lot when a man puts his arms above his head, and cutting the sides low to reveal obliques is a specifically gay thing, according to him.
- This summer, the trend of revealing clothing is seen more prevalently due to the near-record high temperatures on the East Coast, with celebrities like Pedro Pascal and Alexander Skarsgård following the trend on the red carpet.
- Looking ahead, Ian Bradley considers several looks from Balenciaga's fall 2025 show to be slutty, indicating that the conversation around men's fashion will continue to evolve as perceptions shift.
