‘Do away with tradition’: The surprising new men’s fashion trend
2024 was the year menswear got mischievous. Here’s the surprising new look in men’s fashion.
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Party season is officially on our doorstep. That means with every invite that lands in your inbox, you’ll be asking yourself a question that all men are familiar with: what on earth should I wear?
There is plenty of comfort to be found, of course, in a traditional tuxedo. But as classic as a black, single-breasted jacket may be, trotting it out for the holidays doesn’t quite seem to capture the festive spirit – especially not when Hollywood’s best-dressed guys have spent the year redefining what modern tailoring can look like.
“Cool”, perhaps, has been this year’s operative word for menswear. If 2023 was all about putting small twists on tradition – the incorporation of cummerbunds, bow ties and the proliferation of short suits – 2024 has seen the same men do away with tradition entirely.
It began on the red carpet at the Golden Globes in January, where actors like Timothée Chalamet and Barry Keoghan opted for necklaces in place of neckties – a trend that continued at the Academy Museum Gala in October.
There, Gladiator II’s Paul Mescal was among the many who forwent a tie, styling his double-breasted blazer with a Cartier Juste un Clou tie pin, and a Cartier Tank Mini – no tie.
“I’ve really enjoyed seeing a lot of guys put their own spin on menswear traditions,” Jake Millar, editor-in-chief of GQ Australia, says.
“There was a bit of a reset last year, with a return to more classic tuxedos and suiting elements on the red carpet.
“But now we’re seeing a lot of men play around within those codes, adding more colour or personality to their looks, which has been exciting.”
The customary white dress shirt has been another casualty of this turn towards livelier, laid-back menswear.
One of GQ’s September/October cover stars, Brad Pitt, attended the Venice Film Festival in Louis Vuitton. Instead of a shirt and tie, Pitt sported a semi-sheer cotton T-shirt under his blazer, which was asymmetrically fastened with a pearl button.
At the Emmys, silk shirts also had their moment to shine. Wicked’s Jonathan Bailey wore his half-open with a peak-lapelled tuxedo. Like Pitt’s tee, it worked to soften his overall look. And considering that party season Down Under goes hand-in-hand with summer, swapping a dress shirt for silks or something see-through wouldn’t just be trendy – it’d be seasonally appropriate too.
Even if you’re someone who prefers traditional occasionwear you have plenty to take away from a generation of stars who are, increasingly, relying on the statement of small accessories. Brooches reigned supreme on the Oscars red carpet in March, spotted on Robert Downey Jr, Cillian Murphy and Matthew McConaughey, while signet rings and earrings have been popularised by Austin Butler.
Millar also names Drew Starkey and musicians like Omar Apollo and Troye Sivan as some of 2024’s standout style pioneers.
“I think they’re showing a lot of young guys how you can put your own spin on modern menswear. American actor Colman Domingo is still killing it, too.”
No doubt plenty of these lessons will be on display at GQ Australia’s Men of the Year (MOTY) Awards, in association with Defender.
Following last year’s celebration at Bondi Pavilion, the event’s 16th iteration will be held on December 4 at White Bay Power Station in Rozelle, Sydney. With alumni ranging from Jacob Elordi to Russell Crowe, you can expect the style at MOTY to equal its spectacle.
“We’re lucky in that we have such a diverse mix of talent coming to the event this year, so I’m really looking forward to seeing all the ways guests put their own spin on things,” shares Millar.
“I think modern dressing is all about taking a dress code and making it your own, so the GQ MOTY red carpet should be a lot of fun.”
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Originally published as ‘Do away with tradition’: The surprising new men’s fashion trend
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