Why, in 2022, Men Are Suddenly Choosing Skirts Over Trousers, and What They’re Conveying With It

One of the most significant breakthroughs in the fashion world, which made Coco Chanel an icon, was that she started dressing women in trousers. For years, ladies had to wear dresses and skirts, but the bold French designer changed that. Today, a century after Chanel’s revolutionary move, it’s time for men’s fashion to push its boundaries.

2022 has become the year of the men’s skirt and dress trend. More and more celebrities are seen wearing them at important events, as well as in daily life. Here at CHEERY, we decided to find out where this fashion trend came from, and if the skirt might carry with it a special meaning.

Men always wore skirts

Centuries ago, when people lived in caves and wore animal skins, there was no division of outfits between men’s and women’s. As culture developed, tailoring did so with it, and so people’s image began to change. By the Middle Ages, in Europe, men’s and women’s skirts were already very different: women’s were longer and more decorated.

By the 20th Century, trousers had largely replaced skirts in the men’s wardrobe, except if they were part of the culture, as in Scotland. And it was not until the mid-1980s that Jean Paul Gaultier reminded the world, with his collection, that men could wear skirts. And so, this fashion trend was born.

The Scots are timeless with their fashion

While we’re on the subject of the Scots, let’s look at why their attitude to skirts hasn’t changed in centuries. The kilt was first worn in the 16th Century. It was a very comfortable garment for those, who had to travel long distances in bad weather. It was used as a cloak to wrap around oneself, similar to a throw. A century later it was considerably shortened and given a modern twist.

The kilt was more than just a piece of clothing to the Scots, it symbolized the clan, to which the man belonged. There was even a period in the country’s history when chequered skirts were outlawed, and wearing one could lead one to captivity. But even that couldn’t convince local men to give it up. As a result, the skirts remained in gentlemen’s wardrobes.

According to actor Ewan McGregor, who is Scottish by birth, to this day the kilt is a special item for his people, only worn to very important events and occasions. He compared the status of this item of clothing to a dinner jacket, which would also only be worn on a special occasion.

From flamboyance to casual style

Getting back to the topic of celebrity fashion, Kurt Cobain performed on stage in a flowery dress. But then, of course, it was perceived as scandalous, and men wearing such clothes en masse was out of the question. Over time, the attitude has changed, and in 2021, musician Kid Cudi appeared on stage wearing an outfit with a similar print, as a tribute to the Nirvana frontman.

In 1998, Beckhams appeared at the ELLE Awards, with David wearing a midi skirt. Strictly speaking, it was a sarong, a traditional piece of men’s clothing in Sri Lanka. However, Beckham paid for his bravery, as the press couldn’t stop ridiculing him for the outfit. It wasn’t until years later that history put everything in its place, showing us that actually, David was just a couple of decades ahead of his time in the world of fashion.

Peak of the trend

The trend for men’s skirts started to gain momentum a couple of years ago and reached its peak in 2022, with fashion houses such as Chanel, Gucci, Moncler, and Saint Laurent becoming the leading forces of this movement. In addition to skirts, they also opened up the option of dresses for men. And the gentlemen loved it! Musicians (Travis Barker and Kid Cudi), showmen (Pete Davidson and Dan Levy), athletes (Russell Westbrook and Lewis Hamilton), and actors (Oscar Isaac and Brad Pitt) all eagerly embraced the new fashion trend.

Oscar Isaac hesitated before finally deciding to wear a skirt in public. Whether he was afraid of public judgment or just wasn’t ready, is unclear. But one thing is certain — he has wanted to add this item of clothing to his wardrobe for a long time. And this year he finally took the plunge. The actor attended a press conference in Berlin wearing a pleated skirt by Commission, which drew a lot of attention.

A couple of weeks later, at the premiere of Moon Knight, where Isaac played the lead role, he pulled this fashion stunt again. According to his stylist, the look conveyed to people that a superhero can wear a skirt. Oscar had such a taste for the new style that he once again grabbed all the attention at the Met Gala 2022. Can you guess what he wore?

Another famous man, who prefers a skirt, both on stage, and in daily life, is Rihanna’s beloved A$AP Rocky. The rapper has been experimenting with this part of the wardrobe for years, including leather skirts, and classic Scottish kilts in his outfits. Such clothing choices have helped him get the title of the Prettiest Man Alive from GQ magazine.

As you can see, the skirt has many roles in a man’s wardrobe. For some, it helps to convey important ideas to the world, for others, it’s an integral part of their culture, and sometimes, it just feels good to wear whatever you want. Either way, one thing can be said for sure: this garment is no longer exclusively for women.

What do you think, which clothing items, that we now think of as exclusively feminine or masculine, could, in time, also become unisex?