Men are upping the ante in style stakes when it comes to their dressing

Celebrities like Malaysian singer Hael Husaini (left) and Hollywood actor Timothee Chalamet are recognised as among the men who are pushing boundaries with their red carpet dressing. Photo composite: Hael Husaini/Instagram, Dune/Instagram

Red carpet fashion is no longer just for the ladies, men now put extra effort to stand out at high-profile events too.

Traditionally, it is only the women who are asked, “Who are you wearing?” That is because guys attending film premieres or awards shows tend to opt for non-descript tuxedos and suits.

At the recent Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Met Gala and more, male celebrities can be seen embracing daring outfits.

“What’s happening is the deconstruction of the black-tie dress code. It’s very interesting,” says Aizat Aidid, creative director of Glam and Glam Lelaki.

He points out that men, especially younger ones, are taking the formal elements of traditional red carpet dressing and changing it to be more fashionable.

According to him, their outfits are becoming much more out-there, as well as a lot less classic.

“I find that bell bottom pants are making a comeback. Loose fitting suits can also be seen frequently on the red carpet. It’s a more relaxed vibe now,” Aizat notes.

One such man who is not afraid to really go all out when dressing up is Joshua Benedict. As Mister World Malaysia 2022, he is frequently seen out and about town.

At a recent press conference, Joshua wore a bold, patterned suit jacket. He was shirtless (this is a trend adopted by male Hollywood stars too).

“Celebrities like Harry Styles can be seen embracing flamboyant looks, and it works!” Joshua enthuses.

“At the end of the day, if you are able to carry a certain look confidently, then that is fashion. There is nothing right or wrong to it.”

At last year’s Cannes Film Festival, loose shirts were a big hit among men there.

Actors Manu Rios, Jason Fernandez, Jose Condessa and George Steane wore Saint Laurent designs. The chic and billowy tops (worn with several buttons undone and some, without sleeves) drew all eyes.

Even Vogue praised the trend, describing it as “totally refreshing”.

Joshua however feels that you should not lose yourself when dressing up.

He explains that celebrities may always feel the need to be among the best-dressed at an event, but there is no point to it if they then feel uncomfortable.

“I’m the type of man who makes bold fashion choices, but there is still a limit to it,” he relates.

“Too much is when people don’t look at you, and instead your clothes become the full focus. Think of it as the outfit wearing the person – instead of the other way around, which is what we should always aim for.”

Harry Styles is a male celebrity who has somehow changed the perception of how men should dress. Photo: Instagram/Harry Styles

Read more: Double-breasted suit jackets are having a fashion moment on the red carpet

Daringly smart choices

Commenting on the evolution of men’s dressing, Joshua believes that it is a cycle.

He insists that men were already peacocking on the red carpet back in decades like the 1970s and 80s – and certain trends are coming back. He cites examples of how the double-breasted suit is popular this year, or that bell bottoms are becoming acceptable again.

“Guys used to wear really bold outfits, really colourful outfits, back then,” he says.

Aizat likes how the new-gen celebrities will always dress similarly to their film characters during promotional tours.

“Like Timothee Chalamet, for the Dune: Part 2 red carpet events he would dress like a space age modern man. It’s not a suit-and-tie kind of thing for him,” he explains.

Actor Jeff Goldblum wears a black tuxedo jacket at the Met Gala, which he accessorises with three brooches. Photo: AFP

“And his chosen brands also play a big role to set him as a new ‘red carpet king’. We see him wearing niche brands like JunnJ and Haider Ackermann.

“This shows that he – or his stylist – is very smart. I believe it was a choice made to capture the fashion world’s attention. These smaller brands are actually more daring when it comes to showcasing different looks.”

On the subject of stylists, Aizat says that they play a big role in developing and curating the perfect style for each of these celebrities.

“You can say that a stylist is like a somebody who connects celebrities with designers or brands – in the best way possible.”

Zendaya, who is currently the fashion world’s darling, has celebrity stylist Law Roach to thank for when it comes to her winning red carpet looks.

Roach has styled the actress for over a decade, and is the person credited for putting together her fierce and fabulous outfits for film premieres and other events.

Aizat points out how there are certain male celebrities in Malaysia who are catching the eye in terms of fashion – just because they are working closely with good stylists.

To him, there is still room for improvement when it comes to our local scene, but it has been improving and certain celebrities are getting noticed for their dressing.

“Hael Husaini, Syafiq Kyle, Fattah Amin and Awal Ashaari, to name a few, these are the men here who are conquering the red carpets.”

Read more: As seen at this year's Oscars, brooches a must-have fashion accessory for men

Putting a pin in it

At this year’s Oscars, a key trend that emerged among men there was the use of brooches.

“It was notable, if not surprising, to see a sudden proliferation of this year’s male stars wearing baubles more often associated with granny’s jewel box than Hollywood heartthrobs,” wrote The New York Times.

Tony Eusoff wears a brooch for a recent film event in KL. Brooches are now seen as the go-to accessory for men on the red carpet. Photo: Amee Philips

Brooches were pinned to the lapels of Cillian Murphy, Teo Yoo, Ke Huy Quan, Robert Downey Jr, Tatanka Means, Mark Ruffalo and Jeffrey Wright. They were stylishly fastened to Colman Domingo’s bow tie.

Malaysian men also adopted the accessory. At a gala night for local film The Experts, which took place last month in Kuala Lumpur, actors Tony Eusoff, Jay Iswazir and Shah Reza Mohd Shah were spotted looking sharp in suits – but what really elevated their look were the brooches they wore.

“Today, jewellery has become a powerful means of self-expression for men,” says jewellery designer Amee Philips.

“High-profile male celebrities and fashion icons have played a pivotal role in breaking down these gender norms, showing that jewellery can enhance masculinity and style.”

She says that her namesake brand is indeed seeing a growing interest from men looking to make a statement with bold designs and extraordinary gemstones.

Like how men are not just playing it safe with their outfits, the way they accessorise for the red carpet is also changing.

You may think that all a male celebrity has got to play around with is a statement wristwatch, but that is in the past. Bling is not just a woman’s best friend too.

“Current trends in men’s jewellery include bold statement pieces like brooches and rings, often featuring gemstones or intricate designs. Bangles, bracelets, and even pearls are becoming more acceptable and fashionable for men,” Philips reveals.

“Layering different pieces, such as bracelets and necklaces, is also popular, allowing for a more personalised look. Additionally, there’s a growing appreciation for bespoke and custom-made jewellery, as men have been seeking pieces that reflect their individual style and personality.”

This really says a lot about the changing perception of men’s dressing – especially for red carpet events.

It seems that ladies no longer have the sole monopoly of being the main focus, and gents are now not afraid to take risky style choices.