In the not too distant past, men’s fashion was confined to suits, Sportscraft V-necks and a trusty pair of boardshorts in summer. But blokes are starting to broaden their taste. A resurgence of men’s style journals and the increasing association of preened with power, not pansy, means that men’s fashion is heralding a new dawn.

Fantastic Man gives no illusions as to its purpose: to show the modern man in all his glory (clothes on of course). Tipped as ‘the gentleman’s style journal’ the magazine provides a cross section of progressive men’s style in a tradition that still favours titles. ‘Mister’ Helmet Lang and ‘Mister’ Giles Deacon are just two names to have graced the pages, which mix carefully-curated style features with editorial on male-specific accessories such as ‘the moustache’.

In terms of fashion juggernauts, it doesn’t get much bigger than Vogue and since September ‘05 men have been getting their tailored dose. Men’s Vogue mixes lifestyle and political editorial, with an obvious emphasis on the good looking male. George Clooney’s greying suave is the ultimate aesthetic, with Roger Federer and Keifer Sutherland cutting a surprisingly fine form. A step up from the usual centrefold is a series of ‘artistic nudes’. It seems some things never change.

What is your opinion of men’s fashion at the moment? What trends do you adore/detest?

Images: Mister’ Giles Deacon bottom middle and Helmut Lang bottom right from
Fantastic Man. Top right photo of Federa from Men’s Vogue. Image of George Clooney from www.condenastmediakit.com.