Admittedly, most men would probably not wear women’s jeans, yet as we all know, style is ever-changing and what seems unusual one day is completely normal the next. We see it on the runway; we see it in ads and everywhere else: the lines between gender-normative fashions are getting more and more blurred lately.

 

 

The next big thing

Now it seems that women’s skinny jeans are the next fashion item to be put under the spotlight. Inspired by celebrities like One Direction member Harry Styles and comedian and actor Russell Brand, super-tight jeans normally reserved for women, are now being snapped up by men who simply wish to feel comfortable and to complete their look. While we don’t really think they’re the most stylish way to go, they definitely are popular among the general audience.

Dubbed ‘ex-girlfriend’ jeans (a reference to the so-called ‘boyfriend’ jeans in the ladies’ range), sales of women’s skinny jeans are rising up and up, as thinner men are preferring the women’s fit, due to being tighter than the men’s version, particularly at the ankle, calf, and thigh, despite the wide range of men’s jeans cut styles.

 

Whether it’s being inspired by looking at women’s jeans from sites like this one, or perhaps evolving attitudes about gender, some men are very open and casual about discussing why they want to wear ladies’ pants. One member of the public explained his decision in an article: “I wear them because I think they look better on than the men’s styles in the high street. Some of the men’s designer jeans brands have the super-skinny look but I can’t always afford to buy designer ones, and no one can tell the difference anyway,” he said.

 

And the chatter about men wearing women’s clothes doesn’t end there. Fashion editor Matthew Henson for Complex.com, spoke of the rise of men turning to women’s jeans. “The idea of men wearing women’s clothing may be a bit hard for most people to become comfortable with, because people immediately want to associate sexuality or masculinity with clothing, but none of those things have any correlation,” said Henson.

 

 

Dress like a star

Whilst rock stars and rappers seemingly get a free pass to wear whatever they like and not be maligned for it (from most rock stars of the 80 to Pharrell, many stars are notorious for sometimes wearing clothes for females), the idea of women wearing men’s clothes is said to not receive the same treatment that the reverse gets. Another Complex.com staff member, editorial producer Emily Oberg, wants equality for men to wear what they like, just as much as women. “Women are always wearing men’s clothes, but nobody says anything about that. No one is gonna call me a lesbian because I’m in head-to-toe men’s. It goes both ways, it should just be acceptable,” she said.

 

 

Different for a reason

Style choices aside, there is one – or maybe two – very good reasons why jeans are differently made for women and men. A considerable amount of men are developing testicular pain and low sperm count due to wearing women’s jeans, and others were said to experience bladder infections because of the tightness. So the takeaway from all this? The acceptability of men wearing women’s clothes and vice versa is a positive direction to be heading in, but perhaps as long as it’s not to the detriment of one’s health.

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

Further reading:

The different types of jeans cuts 

The guide to unisex clothes 

Men and feminine clothes: A dichotomy?

The politics of dressing up: Masculinity vs. femininity

Women wearing men’s clothes: What do you think?

An introduction to fashion and ideology

P.S. We want to hear from you! Do you wear women’s jeans? Why / why not? What are your thoughts on men’s skinny jeans? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!