9 Men’s Fashion Trends To Leave Behind In 2023
The start of a new year is the perfect time for self improvement. For most people that means joining the gym, embarking on a diet for a bit or giving up smoking. Great. But we’d encourage people to take a look at what questionable garments are still lurking in their wardrobes from recent years too. Call it sartorial self improvement, if you will.
Just to preface this, we’re not encouraging you to change your entire wardrobe every 12 months. That would be absurd, not to mention highly environmentally unfriendly. However, if you’re prone to jumping onto fashion’s more regrettable bandwagons then consider this a friendly nudge back onto the right track.
Trends aren’t inherently bad; they keep things fresh and play an important role in pushing fashion forward. With that said, there are good ones and bad ones. Some have staying power while the rest will invariably leave you cringing at your poor style choices a few years down the line.
For our money, all of the trends and pieces listed below fall firmly into the latter of those two camps, so keep scrolling to see what we want men’s fashion to ditch in 2023.
Mullets
We still can’t actually believe we’re having to type this, but somehow mullets have been making a comeback. Blame TikTok, blame Gen Z, blame the unrelenting and indiscriminate recycling of decades-old trends, but whatever the reason for this god-awful trim’s resurgence, we’d urge you to STEER CLEAR.
This is one of those trends that’s all but guaranteed to age about as well as an unrefrigerated gammon joint.
What to wear instead
How about sticking to one haircut at a time?
Wispy Moustaches
Don’t get us wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a good moustache on the right face. A bit of upper-lip foliage can be a great option if it’s backed up by a strong jaw and the confidence to pull it off.
That said, there’s a real danger at the moment of us collectively walking into a situation not dissimilar to ‘peak beard’ in the early 2010s. A lot of people are growing moustaches now, including plenty who don’t quite have the growth to carry it off.
It’s becoming less of a quirky style choice and more of a bandwagon, so maybe it’s time to bust the razor out.
What to wear instead
A clean shave, short beard or light stubble are all currently good bets where facial hair is concerned. If you are going to rock a moustache, just make sure it’s thick, trimmed to perfection and well groomed.
Wraparound Shades
Are you a cyclist, runner or short-tempered American cop with a military haircut? If not, then why are you wearing wraparound sunglasses? Hey, each to their own. If you genuinely like the way the look then you do you, but from where we’re standing this bears all the hallmarks of a flash in the pan that’ll have you cringing at photos in a few years’ time.
What to wear instead
For casual wear, the classic shapes and styles are the best. A simple metal or acetate frame in silver, gold, plain black or tortoiseshell is always going to be more versatile than a sporty brow-bar frame with a reflective pink lens.
Skinny Jeans
Some guys are STILL clinging onto their skinny jeans… or maybe they just physically can’t get them off. Either way, they need to go, and 2023 is the last chance saloon as far as we’re concerned.
What to wear instead
You don’t have to go completely the opposite way and start wearing loose-fitting legwear. A slim-fit jean is still a good option as long as it’s not overly tight.
Outside of that, a classic regular fit with a straight or tapered leg hasn’t gone out of fashion in 150 years. How’s that for a safe bet?
Absurdly Baggy Jeans
At the complete opposite end of the spectrum, impractically baggy jeans (and pants in general) have been on the rise for a minute. Again, where pants are concerned, it’s best to stay away from the extremes, so this is another one we’d be happy to see the back of in 2023.
What to wear instead
There’s nothing wrong with a relaxed or loose-fitting trouser, but if they’re trailing on the floor and impeding your ability to walk then it’s probably time to downsize.
Crocs
They might be comfortable, but so are dressing gowns – it doesn’t mean you should wear them in public. From the moment it began, the whole Crocs thing has smacked of a fleeting fad. Give it another year or two and there’ll be nothing left of it but lingering embarrassment.
What to wear instead
Sneakers? A pair of Birkenstocks? Pretty much anything slip-on and comfortable that doesn’t look like a block of emmental cheese.
Tight Tailoring
Tailoring is supposed to fit you, not cut off the circulation to your extremities and stop you from raising arms. Slim and skinny fit suits are another trend that some men still seem to be struggling to let go of.
But it’s not too late to trade your tight-fitting tailoring in, and the beginning of a new year is the perfect excuse.
What to wear instead
A tailor-made suit is the dream, but it’s not financially viable for a lot of people. The next best thing you can do is buy an off-the-peg suit and have your local tailor alter it to fit.
Broccoli Hair
Shaved back and sides with a big crop of permed, curly locks on the top. Call it what you want, but this monstrosity of a haircut is not going to age well. It’s been ubiquitous among Zoomers for a good few years now, so perhaps the turn of the new year would be a good time to put it to bed once and for all.
What to wear instead
Mid-length curly hair looks great as it is. Forget the disconnected back and sides and just rock it au naturel.
Socks And Slides
Your dirty white socks were never supposed to get this much exposure. Wearing sliders might be comfortable for you, but it certainly isn’t for the onlookers. Do us all a favour and put some proper footwear on when you leave the house.
What to wear instead
In public places, shoes are traditional.
