The Dandy Version 2019: Who Is He?

Left: A portrait of Beau Brummell. Right: Street style from London Fashion Week Men's Spring Summer 2019 by Getty Images

There has not been a bigger moment for menswear than in 2019. The recently wrapped Pitti Uomo encapsulates this thriving energy, particularly through the multitude of impeccably-dressed attendees mingling about the Fortezza da Basso in Florence where the celebrated fashion fair is held. The modern male wardrobe is going through a revolution where menswear no longer plays second fiddle to womenswear.

However, the first revolution occurred centuries ago, led by Beau Brummell from the Regency period. Brummell openly rejected the conservative men's dress code of his day, choosing instead to dress in beautiful shirts, opulent cravats and full-length trousers (instead of short knee-length birches). Brummell introduced the suit and tie, founding the modern man’s style through dandyism. He believed in pushing the boundaries of men’s fashion while keeping an understated elegance.

Stewart Granger as Beau Brummell in 1954. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images

Brummell constructed the image of menswear that we now know today as he and his friends infiltrated the upper echelons of British society and became the dandies of the 17th century. Fast forward to the modern age where a burgeoning menswear fashion market is due to reach a value of £17.1 billion in 2022, we ask (an ode to Paris Fashion Week Men’s that started yesterday): what does a dandy look like in 2019?

Prev2 of 4Next

2. The New Suit

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsUAEziBJBd/

Perfectly tailored coats of sombre colours were the mode for the 17th-century dandy. The suit back in Brummell’s day was respectful and practical. The suits of now are a step towards athleisure. A perfect example of this was seen at London Fashion Week Men’s Autumn Winter 2019 where countless denim jackets were put together with slim cut jeans and double denim became a real hit on the runway. The suit it seems has become increasingly practical but experimentation with tailored looks continues to further expand in 2019.

Prev2 of 4Next

The modern image of the dandy has altered greatly from its 17th-century origins. Menswear is heading into a gender-fluid direction with a complete lack of fear of experimentation. The essence of dandyism is the act of pushing fashion's traditional boundaries and the contemporary vision completes that criteria. The 2019 dandy is all about embracing the other side of traditional masculinity and embracing the modern world with a fashionable foot forward.

The Dandy Version 2019: Who Is He?

2. The New Suit

#TheLIST: The 10 Nail Trends You’ll See Everywhere This Year

The Duchess of Sussex Glitters In Full-Length Sequins At Cirque Du Soleil Premiere