Deconstructing Men’s Dress Codes In Milan & Paris

Outside the men’s wear shows in Milan and Paris, almost everything seemed possible when it came to getting dressed.

It’s not a stretch to say that menswear has long been seen by many as simpler and less creative than womenswear.

But as more men have found ways to personalise even the most traditional staples, they have shown that there are far wider possibilities than once thought.

This style evolution was on full display outside the recent menswear shows in Milan and Paris, where neck scarves were a potent accessory and the few who had traditional neckties wore them atypically, including with collarless shirts.

Others on the street revived a fad popularised in the early 1990s by hip-hop duo Kriss Kross: wearing blazers and shirts in reverse, so the buttons and lapels were on the back.

What I found most exciting, though, were the various tops with graphics referring to popular culture, including a fisherman’s sweater with the face of Kurt Cobain and a sleeveless tunic featuring the album cover of Substance by New Order.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Written and photographed by: Simbarashe Cha

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