Men’s fashion goes smoothly

LMen’s fashion has changed. Less edgy, more delicate, he’s now trying to borrow some of his great classics from women’s wardrobes. As is silk, which is increasingly available today in shirts, trousers, crop tops and even modern men’s dresses. Should we attribute this trend to Korean pop stars, importers of more refined masculinity and vectors of influence around the world? Timothée Chalamet, a specialist in stylistic fluidity wearing a backless top and an open shirt over his body?

Historically, however, Silk did not expect these new idols to become the prerogative of the shiny. The Romans loved it the most, fascinated by this fabric from the Far East, which was said to be worth its weight in gold. So much so that under Tiberius the Roman Senate issued an edict forbidding the wearing of silk by men, for both economic and moral reasons. Legend has it that the emperor was afraid that they would become his citizens “soft and weak” in contact with so much refinement.

Other intellectuals of the time considered silk a symbol of decadence, for example, the philosopher Seneca, who in his book VII. benefitsWriting: “I see silk clothes, or cloth that does not cover the body or modesty‘A man can be called clothes…”

Forbidden, cherished or reviled

Back in Europe, this time in the Middle Ages, silk was worn by nobility and aristocracy, becoming a symbol of wealth – and prestige. During the Renaissance, this material even became royal. as evidenced Portrait of Francis I^Eh By artist Jean Clouet (ca. 1485-1541). The sovereign appears more majestic than ever and is above all dressed in a sumptuous costume consisting, among other things, of a long coat of white silk satin with stripes and a silk-striped velvet dulet.

Pop culture has also brought its share of men’s silk. Be it Hugh Hefner, the magazine’s iconic founder playboy who never strayed from his burgundy coat. Or Robert De Niro Casino (1995, Martin Scorsese), whose pink silk dress, decorated with purple prints, has the ability to be shouted down by one of his fellow mobsters, played by Joe Pesci. “Look at you! You walk like John Barrymore! In a pink dress and a cigarette holder?”, The criminal chokes, referring to a scene from the movie Eight o’clock visitors (1933), in which the aforementioned Barrymore also struts around in a silk robe. Alternately forbidden, cherished, or reviled, this material in any case leaves the privacy of the bedroom. Much to the delight of the creators, who did not finish showing it.