What Is Boy Fashion?

Boy fashion is the style and trends that are worn by young males. It is a form of self-expression that allows boys to showcase their personality and creativity through clothing styles, colors, and accessories. It is also a way for them to build confidence and a sense of empowerment when they dress well. Previously, fashion for boys was heavily influenced by societal norms and stereotypes, but today, young men have a range of options for how they want to express themselves through their appearance.

Fashion for boys has long reflected societal and cultural shifts. In earlier centuries, boys’ clothes were largely practical and functional, reflecting the needs of their daily activities. Boys often wore gender-specific attire, such as trousers or knickerbockers, while girls typically wore dresses until they reached a certain age. By the mid-20th century, youth subcultures began to influence boys’ style, with greasers and mods sporting leather jackets and skinny jeans.

Although gendered styles continued into the 21st century, the emergence of feminism and equal rights has challenged the traditional notion of masculinity. As a result, modern men are increasingly exploring gender-neutral and feminine clothing styles that are both comfortable and stylish. The “boys’ clothing renaissance” is the result of these changes, with boys wearing tees and dresses, leather jackets and jeans, and ripped denim. The style is not only seen in the streets, but on the runway, as evidenced by the masculine looks presented in Kim Jones’s collections for Dior Men and Alessandro Michele’s designs for Gucci.

The term “eboy” is used to describe a youth subculture that has emerged in recent years, most notably on the social media platform TikTok. Eboys are young men who adopt a style that blends elements of traditional alternative clothing with contemporary fashion influences from music and pop culture. It is a hybrid of styles from older genres such as goth and punk with modern internet-driven trends like emo, scene, and K-Pop. The look is often accompanied by a skater aesthetic, with t-shirts and jeans often ripped or bleached, paired with black leather shoes and beanie hats.

Boys who embrace the eboy style may wear makeup to emulate anime characters or to create other effects. They are likely to wear chain belts, chunky jewellery and ear piercing, and may add DIY touches like bleach dying their clothes. They may use makeup to create a light contour, fake freckles, or eyeliner. The eboy style is rooted in streetwear, with brands such as Thrasher, Supreme, Nike and Vans being staples. They are known to use hairstyles such as side partings and large quiffs, contrasting with the more centre parting of girls.

In addition to their style, eboys are also renowned for their wit and charisma. They can be seen on Instagram with witty captions that often challenge toxic masculinity, as well as in the roles of actors and musicians such as Cole Sprouse (Adrian on Stranger Things), Steve Lacy (of Joywave), Joe Keery (Stranger Things) and Asa Butterfield (Otis on Sex Education). This kind of boy is described as cerebral and endearing.