An it-girl is a woman who is an image that many people in a certain group or society hold as an ideal. It-girls are famous ladies who are taking social media by storm and who publicize what they do, who they meet and what they wear so that others find inspiration in them.
It can be said that it-girls fall into two major categories: those who are famous just for being famous and those who are famous not just because of their awesomeness, but also because of their job or other activities.
The expression appeared at the end of the 19th century – beginning of the 20th century and reached global reach in 1927, when the film “It”, starring Clara Bow was released. The film featured the life of an it-girl, not a spooky clown.
There are many types of it-girls, some superficial, some philosophical, some young, some old. Many it-girls have blogs, others are just present on social media and in many YouTube videos, discussing their clothes, emotions and lives.
If we look at the men’s sphere, things are not like that. You can’t even find a definition of it-boy easily when searching online.
Since the 2000s, we saw a rise in a new type of menswear; the decade was always commented on as being the “reinvention of menswear” – it was then that many new brands emerged and many influencers came to prominence. However, while there are many men who are well-known and liked for their style, fashion and thoughts, there isn’t really such a big group of it-men.
The question we need to ask ourselves is of course “why”. The fact that there are not many men who become it-men is because men are not as interested in style as the ladies are. This might be true, but nevertheless, given the global setting in which we are today; there should be enough men to do it and enough men to follow them. So, what’s lacking?
Over the last years or so, many blogs, magazines and TV shows dedicated to women received a male version, which has, generally speaking, more or less flopped quite quickly. And the reason for this is because the people behind these endeavors have taken the women’s formula and simply “blued it out”. They changed the women’s perfumes with men’s perfumes, women’s clothes with men’s clothes and adapted the same topics and discussions for men.
Meanwhile, other segments of culture saw a dramatic increase in men’s attention. Political commentators, cultural analysts and comedians were some of the types of male figures that have attracted big audiences. The explanation for that is simple: many men take a lot of interest in things through a political, comedic or even philosophic approach. Does that mean that everyone who’s trying to offer men’s style content is wrong for doing it? Definitely not. However, it appears that the same formula is not working. Guys generally like things that are extreme, comedic and that challenge them. This is why sports, politics and philosophy are fields dominated by men, both in terms of creators and in terms of audience. And, if you do it right, you can appeal with anything to a male audience. Just look at drag culture. Being over the top campy, colorful and critical will get tons of gay men interested in womenswear.
Thus, what can be said is that the reason why there are not so many it-boys in the realm of fashion is because men are not interested in men in the exact same ways women are interested in women. Yes, men and women have a lot in common and sometimes, some men are even more feminine than women and the other way around and yet there are certain fundamental differences that define whether something works for a certain audience or not.
Some are doing it right. And we’re hopeful that we’ll see more guys merging interests in a good way, so that everyone can take the best of more fields than one or two and live their best life.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
Fashion show changes: A comparison between the 1990s and the 2010s
A critique to fashion and fetishism
Is there a crisis in fashion blogging?
The double meaning of androgyny in fashion
P.S. We want to hear from you! What do you think of it-boys? Do you follow any? How about it-girls? 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!