Men making a fashion mark

– The basic black tux is a thing of the past. Bring on the flowery harnesses, patterned jackets and brightly coloured hats.

The men of Hollywood and the music biz are no longer letting their female peers grab all the attention on the red carpet.

The more experimental sartorial statements by entertainers and athletes at high-profile events is a sign of a new age in men’s fashion, one that is free of stereotypes.

A decade ago, at the 2009 Oscars, the men on the red carpet looked like a colony of penguins – white shirts and black tuxedos, all in a row.

The Grammys are tomorrow and the Oscars are on February 24, so the men of showbiz have a few more key moments this awards season to strut their stuff.

“There have always been some men who have dressed outside the box, but only within the past two years or so has this become more accepted in mainstream media,” says Andrew Gelwicks, a stylist to young celebrities. – AFP