Why celebrities are now dressing like normal blokes
Justin Bieber, Post Malone, Adam Sandler – all look like they just fell into the nearest clothes
The fashion set may have balked when singer Justin Bieber turned up to this year’s Grammys in an ill-fitting baggy suit from Balenciaga paired with a pink beanie and Crocs, but he is known for taking the dressing down trend to new heights (or shall we say, lows).
Some male celebrities in Hollywood have always favoured a more relaxed look – think baggy T-shirts, shorts, baseball caps and flip-flops – especially when they are off the red carpet. In fact, their love for all things casual has contributed to new style trends over the years, be it “normcore” or “scumbros”, the latter of which Vanity Fair magazine defined as “the version of streetwear that wears irony … like normcore did, but much less precious”.
The pandemic has taken their love for comfortable clothes to a new extreme as they have embraced their inner slobs to the max. Bieber doesn’t think twice about leaving the house in PJs (and we’re not talking the trendy kind) or being photographed shoeless or wearing Crocs. Post Malone has abandoned grooming altogether – not that he did it much anyway. Even Shia LaBeouf, the king of normcore style and hoodies, looks more unkempt than usual.
“The scruffy trend is less intentional. It is literally about dressing with limited styling or fear of consequence. It’s less about big brand names and bold designs and more about comfort,” says Olie Arnold, style director of menswear retailer Mr Porter.
“Celebrities that embrace this trend give off the vibe of minimal styling, be it ‘dad’ style or a pyjama look. It also includes less grooming. It’s obvious that [male celebrities] have not put any effort into creating their look and that is the gist of the trend.”
While it’s unlikely that this look will influence European collections any time soon, it continues to resonate with the masses. In the fashion world, the less effort you’ve made, the cooler you appear to be. Maybe this explains why celebrities such as Pete Davidson and Jonah Hill are suddenly being hailed as style icons all over social media.
Even Adam Sandler, the OG of dad style, became Google’s mostsearched name in the “celebrity outfits” category last year.
“In recent years, being considered ‘real’ is a likeable trait that makes a celebrity popular. Male celebrities dressing like they have just got out of bed makes them relatable, especially when they do not have the typical Hollywood physique.
“They look like an average guy on the street and they give off a ‘stars are human too’ vibe, instead of being perfectly put together 24/7, like stars used to be,” says Arnold.
“This gives other people assurance that they can be confident with themselves no matter how they dress, with outfits a regular guy can put together on their own.
“Men are now encouraged to explore and find their own style, and this scruffy trend actually makes fashion more welcoming for people who might find it a little difficult to find their own voice,” he says.
In a world where everything is so stylised and airbrushed, this movement is somewhat refreshing. It also helps democratise fashion and make it more accessible because it is so easy to emulate.
Getting dressed is simplified even further, as men can forgo the overpriced luxury brand hoodies and T-shirts dictated by normcore, and replace them with staples that already exist in their wardrobes.
For regular folk wanting to emulate Bieber et al, experts suggest that men choose clothes based on function, not style. The key is to select basic and easy-towear items from your wardrobe that you’ve been using for years.
Male celebrities dressing like they have just got out of bed makes them relatable
OLIE ARNOLD, MR PORTER
“It’s about wearing what they’re comfortable in, whether it’s sweats, fleece, workwear or military wear and/or vintage. I’ve noticed celebrities leaning towards more stable designs that have stood the test of time by brands like Carhartt, Dickies, Champion and Levi’s,” says menswear influencer Marcus Paul.
In contrast to most trends that come and go in cycles, it seems that celebrities won’t be ditching their hoodies and pyjamas any time soon. Even before the pandemic the menswear industry was becoming more diverse, encouraging men to experiment and embrace different looks. And as we adapt to the new “normal”, it is likely that “slobbing out” will become a way of life for men, celebrity or otherwise.
“It’s not going anywhere. The industry is changing and we must all adapt to it. Essentially men will continue to dress how they want or feel. There are no longer any rules,” says Paul.