If you are a woman, have you ever thought about having a boyfriend who goes to the same beauty salon as you to remove body hair? And what if his shoes were more numerous and expensive than yours? What if he spent 40 minutes applying toner, anti-aging cream, and moisturizer before bed, while you waited in bed watching sports with your chin propped up? Yes, today's Chinese men are also keeping pace with this global trend. They increasingly focus on their appearance to make a good impression on others, and they work harder than men of any other era to fashion themselves into refined gentlemen.
When the four effeminate handsome men of F4 appeared in "Meteor Garden," it marked the beginning of an era where fashionable men became prevalent. This was unimaginable before. Most people believed: men are coarse, men should be carefree, that's what makes them real men. In the past, men like F4 who were gentle and meticulous were rejected by the mainstream and branded as narcissistic, sensitive, and suspicious. However, since then, these effeminate fashionable men have taken root and flourished everywhere.
Besides the film and television industry, the sensitive fashion world was also one of the first to capture this trend. Brands like Jack & Jones boldly introduced neutral colors such as pink and light purple. Even when designing jeans, which represent rugged male culture, they didn't forget to add some soft colors to meet the needs of the growing number of refined men. The pursuit of appearance by these refined men could be described as "not stopping until they astonish others." They never hesitate to spend time and money on dressing themselves because they know that between a rough man and a refined man, most women prefer the latter who is pleasing to the eye.
These refined men are leading the trends in men's fashion. They make more men realize that relying solely on deodorant and shampoo will not lead to success in the business world or win the hearts of women. More and more men are paying attention to skincare, perfumes, and the cut of clothes.
While working on this special feature, many friends asked me: "Why are men changing so much?" I think, apart from social factors like the economy and personal reasons, it also has to do with the strength of women. In the age of universal internet use, experts have confirmed that female traits are more helpful for a person to thrive in society. Women are not only naturally skilled at socializing but also understand the power of emotions - things that emerging fields value more. Meanwhile, men seem to be facing a growing crisis in a changing era. Therefore, today's men learn from women in terms of grooming to better adapt to changes in the times; on the other hand, they dress themselves up to please their minds and hope to attract the attention of women.
In the end, women still like men who take responsibility, whether they are gentle and meticulous or rough and unrestrained. In critical moments, they can step forward and let their chests become the support for women.