Was It Always Like This?
Absolutely not.
Prior to the 18th century, menswear was distinctly more expressive and vivid. I mean, have you seen King Louis XIV’s royal portraits from the 17th century?
That sense of style changed after the Great Male Renunciation, a notorious fashion epoch in which wealthy Western men decided bright colors, shapes, and overall variety in their wardrobes was a feminine characteristic–so it was to be avoided.
Although men’s fashion had some notable moments (do you remember the 70’s?), in the last few decades “men's clothes are often designed to be durable and functional… there are typically fewer options for men in terms of color, patterns, and styles,” according to greylongg.com.
The Need For Boring Basics
Most menswear basics are intended to be plain and serve as a foundation for the more eye-catching accessories and statement pieces you really want people to see. In order for these statement pieces to stand out, the basic pieces need to blend in. And most people would say for that to happen, they need to be boring.
The Effortless Gent, a “minimalist menswear” blog that gives tips, tricks, and product reviews for everything remotely related to men’s fashion, claims boring isn’t necessarily a bad thing. He says, “A closet full of boring smart casual clothes gives for the most versatility. Whether you’re walking your dog or heading to a cocktail party, you will have something appropriate to wear.”
And this is true. Technically.
Bold Basics, Never Boring
While boring clothes can be versatile, Steven Land believes in providing options online for men who want versatile clothes that still have a flare in their own right…
Like this Textured Black Dress Shirt with a clean lined pattern that adds modern interest to a classic silhouette. This dress shirt comes in black or white, two of the easiest colors to style, known for their fashion versatility. Steven Land takes great care to design neutral-colored shirts that can pass as “boring basics” while still having unique elements that you’ll be proud to wear.
Even the essential ties collection created by Steven Land come in an array of vivid colors that can shine on their own, or be worn as a complementary piece to a larger fashion ensemble. You could opt for one of the classic navy, black, or cream colors, but if you’re searching “why are men’s clothes so boring?” I imagine you’re as tired of the basics as we are.