The Rebirth of the Himbo

Caught in the orbit of fourth-wave feminism, the modern himbo man is at once the traditional brawny ditz, and a reformed social feeler. It’s a trend that’s emerged post-Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, where the female gaze takes priority. Just like Ryan Gosling’s Ken, the modern himbo may not be the brainiest of the bunch, but he’s sensitive and he cares! These men are dripping in more than six packs and smiles now. They’re also doused in progressive values and body positivity. They proudly take part in feminine pieces like crop tops, tiny tanks, and even tinier trunks, creating a nuanced balance between masculinity and femininity. Shawn Mendes’ distinct style in recent years perfectly embraces this notion, as he openly explores his sexuality, and with it, his expressive instinct. His Instagram and concert outfits consist primarily of shirtless, unbuttoned, or cropped top looks. There is a sense of playfulness and even a nod to an active lifestyle in this sartorial current. Himbo men are more interested in leading emotionally and physically healthy lives than they are focusing on the toxic masculinity and party culture that has long ruled the industry’s aesthetic. 

This level of subverted machismo is exactly what connects with the queer community, and has since the late 80s. The style rebels against the confines that have been placed on men and their masculinity – getting rid of alpha male rules and opening up a world of gender expression via androgyny. One protein shake and little Prada tank at a time, that is. So, it comes as no surprise that this liberated take on menswear inventively strutted onto the runway this year. At their SS26 Men’s show, Prada proudly featured an array of ballooned micro shorts with an infantile, almost diaper-inspired silhouette. These were paired with colourful turtlenecks, playful raffia hats, and bookish glasses, creating a fun balance between traditionally sophisticated pieces and elements that allude to a more loveably clueless character. 

In a similar embrace of metrosexuality, the Louis Vuitton SS26 Men’s show featured maroon, khaki, and pin-striped shorts with abbreviated inseams. Like something out of Ken’s closet, these garments were built to outfit the 21st-century soft macho. The collection, a voyage into modern dandyism, brought forth a flamboyance both polished and jovial. To top it off, the brand’s creative director, Pharrell Williams, ended the show by walking out in his own little baby blue athletic shorts, rounding out a show of cheeky charm.

Most notably, for Milan fashion week, Vivienne Westwood made a showstopping return to menswear. Their first men’s collection in nine years was particularly innovative and gender non-conforming, with virile chain links and dainty kitten heels in the same look. The SS26 show featured a number of cut-out silhouettes and played into the traditional himbo inclination toward skin exposure. With colourful micro shorts, sporty headbands, necklaces that read “SEX” over bare abs, and rainbow suspenders, this collection was nothing short of a quintessential rebirth of the 80s himbo.

This reimagined niche style, brought forth by leading fashion houses and celebrity icons, is about more than biceps and micro bottoms; it’s an invitation for men to embrace the many facets of their sexuality without apology. Our modern manly man is as comfortable in a crop top as he is with self-awareness. And who doesn’t want a man that can lift the emotional weight too?