Menswear Is Better When It Quits Playing by the Rules

Double Tap to ZoomStyleThese New(er) Designers Are Making It Cool to Dress Weird2 minutes ago in StyleThis content has been paid for by an advertiser. If you'd like to appear on Highsnobiety, contact: advertising@highsnobiety.com.(Sponsored Story)It’s no secret that women have always been granted the opportunity to have a distinct type of “style”? Whatever their thing was, it could be considered stylish, to a certain crowd, at least. Whether bohemian, minimalist, or a little out there, there’s room for women to carve out their own aesthetic. Men, on the other hand, have traditionally been considered either stylish or not. No middle ground to play with.Part of that comes down to how we’ve traditionally viewed men’s clothes. For the longest time, dressing well has meant a reliable suit and a decent pair of shoes. Men have always had their subcultures, of course, but stepping outside the usual parameters has often meant risking being seen as trying too hard rather than having a distinct point of view.Slowly but surely, that’s changing. These days, we know men’s style is a lot less about sticking to one particular lane and a lot more about borrowing from wherever the hell you want. Tailoring can be oversized, minimalism can have a pop of personality, and there’s no reason a little embellishment should send your masculinity into a tailspin. The best wardrobes have always been the ones that mix things up, and thankfully, the newer designers know that.Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.Take Willy Chavarria, whose oversized silhouettes and streetwear sensibility make a pretty convincing case for taking up a little more space. Then there’s Simone Rocha, who brings romance and silhouettes you probably wouldn’t associate with traditional menswear to the table. Two very different approaches, sure, but both a reminder that there’s more than one way to get dressed in the morning.Of course, not every outfit needs to make a song and dance about itself. Studio Nicholson makes a strong case for the quieter end of the spectrum, where considered proportions and good fabrics do most of the heavy lifting. Our Legacy operates in a similar space, albeit with a slightly scruffier, more lived-in sensibility. Because sometimes the best thing in your wardrobe is the one that looks even better after you’ve worn the hell out of it.On the other end of the spectrum, Casablanca brings a much-needed vacation vibe to the everyday, with color and a distinctly more leisurely take on getting dressed. Amiri, meanwhile, pulls from the worlds of Los Angeles and music, proving that understated isn’t the only way to look the part. Different moods, different wardrobes, no need to pick a side.And that’s really the beauty of menswear right now. You don’t have to build your entire identity around one aesthetic, or worry about whether every piece in your wardrobe makes sense next to the last. Sometimes a little contrast is exactly what an outfit needs. The old rules still exist, of course, but there’s a lot more fun to be had when you stop treating them as gospel.Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit our SHOPPER page and subscribe to the newsletter for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.We RecommendThe Secret to Being the Best-Dressed Guy in the Room This WinterOur Legacy on What's Coming With Nike: "It's Gonna Look Slow but Feel Fast."This Just In: Wool Shirts Are HotFinally, It’s Time to Lean Into the Whole Countryside Heartthrob Thing9 Top Designers on Their Pre-Show Rituals and Lucky CharmsWhat To Read NextThe Seven Best adidas Sneaker Releases This WeekThese Winter-Proof Shoes Are Worth Giving Boots the BootThe Next Big Menswear Collab Is With an Art MagazineWhy Does Clothing Look So Scribbly Now?There’s A Reason These T-Shirts Have Luxury-Level Price TagsNathan Fielder’s Most Convincing Argument Might Be His New Balances