Yes, nowadays a plunging neckline is not only sexy for women, but also for men. We already spot the trendy look with big stars like singer Harry Styles or actor Timothée Chalamet, but also Flemish BV’s like Matteo Simoni or Aster Nzeyimana dare to show more chest. Can anyone wear it? Our fashion journalist David Devriendt gives tips.
LOOK. Who is the man’s cleavage for (and when should you avoid it)?
Recently spotted on the Ensors: the bare chest of news anchor Riadh Bahri and actor Matteo Simoni. Actor Kevin Janssens also showed a bit more nudity during the last episode of ‘The Masked Singer’. And sports journalist Aster Nzeyimana has done it several times.
In America it is a trend that no one is surprised by, thanks to style icons such as Timothée Chalamet and Harry Styles. But wearing such a plunging neckline as a man was nowhere near as acceptable as it is now. Fashion journalist David Devriendt explains.
Men had a dress code
The male cleavage or the heavage of de man boob, as it is also called, is a worldwide trend. Although we think it’s classy now, it used to be looked down upon. Devriendt: “When you used to go to a party or event with a red carpet, there was a certain dress code. For men, a suit with a tie or bow tie has long been commonplace. A shirt that was slightly open was just enough. If you showed more cleavage, it was labeled as ‘distasteful’, ‘plain’, ‘macho’ or ‘very Johnny’.”
Men had to conform to a certain image for a long time. Lace or pearl necklaces did not fit. And don’t show more nudity either.
“In short, men had to conform to a certain image for a long time. Lace or pearl necklaces didn’t fit with that, because that wasn’t really seen as masculine. And so don’t show more nudity either.”
The history of male cleavage
That changed from the 1970s with the hippie movement, says Devriendt. “As a resistance to the prevailing order and the harsh society at the time, men began to dress more femininely and both men and women showed much more nakedness in the chest area.”
The whole fitness craze in the eighties took this to an even higher level, says Devriendt. “People thought at the time: ‘We do a lot of sports, so we want to show that too’. At the same time, gay culture emerged, with many men wearing tough flannel shirts, but with a huge plunging neckline. At the turn of the century you had David Beckham, the metrosexual (a straight man with feminine traits, ed.) who walked with completely open shirts and so on body showed.”
“In today’s age of social media, many men want to show off their bodies and compare themselves to other men. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of those people that many gentlemen look up to. But you don’t have to have a muscular body to show off. For example, Timothée Chalamet is a slim boy, but Sam Smith, who has a different body type, also comes out with it. In this way they want to show their pride, which is also associated with a kind of vulnerability.”
Anyone who dares to do such a thing is usually very comfortable with his or her own body. That nudity requires a little more self-confidence.
The tone seems to have been set, you might think. Will we soon get a yes in which both bride and groom appear on the scene with a plunging neckline? Are shirts and t-shirts also going overboard at less glamorous parties?
Men: don’t panic. Bruno Van Gils of Café Costume doesn’t see it happening anytime soon. “Remember: this look is as old as Elvis Presley. It’s not new, but it’s always been something for the, shall we say, more sophisticated costume wearer. Anyone who dares to do such a thing is usually very comfortable with his or her own body. That nudity requires a little more self-confidence. It also exudes a certain toughness, it sometimes gives it a somewhat macho look. At the same time, in some stylings it is just very beautiful. The minimalism that you can create by omitting the shirt: we like to do that ourselves in our campaigns. But for weddings and parties? This is still reserved for stages, for actors, artists, for red carpets. I don’t see our turnover in shirts suddenly falling (laughs).”
That’s how you wear it
Still, according to fashion journalist Devriendt, it is a look that everyone can wear. The whole must of course be flattering for your figure. “If you go for a blazer that you don’t wear anything underneath, choose one that closes nicely on your belly. Satin blazers, but also linen blazers or cardigans are stylish.” Also think about how you want to come across when you wear this look with a plunging neckline, says Devriendt. “Men with chest hair should consider leaving it long or trimming it.”
And then the key question: will this really become an everyday trend? “If you go to a restaurant with friends, a nice shirt with a few more buttons can definitely open,” says the fashion expert. “Possibly with a chain. That has something glamorous and rocky about it, but it can also be androgynous, tough or macho.”
“Any type of man or non-binary person can wear it,” he continues. “If you consider going to work with a deeper cleavage, it mainly depends on your workplace whether that is appropriate. Do you work in a bank? Then maybe I wouldn’t, but in a cool start-up? Why not.”
He says the look is also ideal for when the weather gets better. “Summer is coming and then some people even walk around with a completely naked upper body. Of course a deep V-neck is also possible. That gives you a bit of Italian or Parisian flair.”
“Look, for example, at how Saint Laurent now dresses men. There the chest is often shown in a nice flowing shirt that is wide open, very tough and chic. That gives you a certain appearance: it shows that as a man you don’t always take it so seriously, but that you do dare and feel good about yourself. Talk about a punishment statement.”
Read also:
Brad Pitt does it and so does your neighbor (probably). 4 men about their skincare: “I’m addicted to it now” (+)
Men also succumb to the pearls now. Fashion expert: “Young generations have a new image”
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