Article by Maya Vukovska
The advent of the “new man” who can wear pearls and feather boas and still pass as heterosexual is a result of major social changes in our postmodern society where homosexuality is largely tolerated. Today, it is perfectly acceptable for straight men to spend time and money on clothes, accessories, and grooming products. And what's more, many of them look for variety and are open to experimenting with clothing styles. To these brave new men, I‘ll say that summer is the perfect time of the year to steal fashion ideas from the smart gay wardrobe.
Giving athleisure a try
Athleisure is defined as a clothing style suitable for doing sports but is also enough fashionable and appealing for other activities. This style works amazingly on gay men - mostly because they have zero scruples about wearing yoga pants, gym shorts, and singlets outside the gym. But straight guys who live active lives can also reap the benefits of the style by mixing comfy pieces like tracksuit bottoms and hoodies with their general office wear to create a hybrid look of a more approachable, yet well-dressed man.
Thanks to advances in fabric - moisture wicking, friction reduction, etc. - activewear has become highly functional, so men don’t have to worry anymore about the sweat-and-smell part.
Flipping the color pairing
Wearing a white shirt with navy chinos is a standard option for straight men, mostly in their professional environment. BUT! Flipping the color combination to a navy blue polo shirt and impeccably white chinos will add a gayish chicness to their overall summer office look.
Introducing pink to the wardrobe
Although this color has long been liberated from the stigma of being “for girls and gays only”, it still makes some straight guys uncomfortable for some reason.
The pain-free formula for introducing pink into their wardrobe would be through a classic short-sleeved buttoned-up shirt. And they’d better opt for a cooler shade of pink, more like flamingo pink, as opposed to the wild, vivid type of pink gay men would wear in a nightclub. For extra comfort one could layer it over a trusted old whitie. The bolder dudes can finish off the look with a pair of great chino shorts and light-colored loafers.
Jorts аre everwhere
Bum-skimming denim cutoffs are so gay, I don’t even have to explain why that is. And jorts are their less ostentatious version because they take the short jeans to longer lengths. Loose and slouchy, tiny and fitted, they are so comfy and casual that even suburban dads wear them when washing their cars or taking the dog for a walk. Yet, jorts have been an essentials part of the gay wardrobe for quite some time. Straight dudes get bonus points if they dare to reveal a hairy thigh. And even extra points if they DIY their own pair of jorts.
Yellow and blue
This color combo is literally screaming summer, and it’s very easy to wear by anyone. But in order to give it an extra gayish flare, one can match a blue bottom with a patterned shirt where the yellow is more dominant and exuberant. Why not in the form of huge lemons or mischievous curvy bananas!
Going hand in had… with a bag
To better reflect the gay style, a straight guy can leave his slouchy backpack for the gym outfit at home, and opt for a durable and lightwear canvas tote bag instead. Nowadays, you can get cotton bags pretty much everywhere, but if one is not satisfied with the cheap stuff, even the most sophisticated fashion brands offer amazing men’s totes that will attract all the right attention.
Jockstraps
And of course, straight men desperately need to up their underwear game! Don't be afraid straight boys, our undies are for everyone! Experimenting with gay fashion as a straight guy can be very fun. So, guys, embrace the challenge, combine it with your natural style, and don’t be scared to show off the queerest colors for everyone to see. And who knows, you might become and inspiration for many.
