Men’s Style Guide | Millennials and Fashion

Usually I like to discuss a brand new gadget or what to wear on certain occasions, but today I wanted to discuss the latest elephant in the room….Millennials. While I was at a conference in Montreal for work, this big topic kept arising. From strategy planning, to who is going to be the next leader, to who we are going to target, and it all came down to trying to figure out how millennials think.

Although we were talking more specifically to finance, my mind drifted to fashion. How do millennials dress? What is of importance to millennials? Here are a few key themes that I found when speaking to friends and reading articles:

Avoid Conventional Stores

One of the videos we watched on millennials featured Simon Sinek, indicating that millennials are entitled individuals looking to make an “impact”. I can understand this from a fashion standpoint, as millennials are going away from the traditional retail stores such as GAP, American Eagle and Aeropostale, and heading towards the more boutique pop-up shops. Queen Street West shops are now thriving due to millennials looking for new looks that expresses their individuality and that nobody else can copy.  Consignment stores like Designer Swap caters to millennials and their need to find out who they are and show it off through fashion.

Mixing Fashion with Leisure Clothing

When I was in school, I couldn’t wait to look “cool” in business clothes, but now that I am working, it is now cool to wear your track pants outside of the house!  Don’t be fooled though, it’s not that they are just walking out of the gym, this is a new “hipster,” aka millennial look and millennial men are definitely taking advantage of this. You can find trendy sweats from stores like Urban Outfitters and H&M.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Before fashion took a big hit with millennials, I used to just see shoes as black and white. Men are either wearing nice dress shoes or comfortable shoes. Millennials have taken comfortable shoes to another level, with different categories depending on your style. From men wearing boat shoes to Converse, it doesn’t matter anymore. What is most important is to pick a pair of shoes that matches your style and is also comfortable. You don’t need to wear uncomfortable shoes to express your style! I used to think dress shoes were the ultimate high end status but times have changed! By millennial status, there is such thing as a “high end pair”, it is a pair that defines you and your personal brand.

Be Socially Conscious

I 100% agree with this trend. There is nothing wrong with understanding where your products came from and how it was made. Businesses such as Toms and Warby Parker Glasses have started the trend and it continues to grow as a strategy that should be required in all businesses. One business that really stuck out to me, that not only targets millennials, but is also socially conscious, is Peace Collective. I wrote about them in the past as a Toronto brand, but what I didn’t mention was their social impact. Their mission alone is to “make a difference”. For every garment they sell, they donate $4.00 to the Breakfast for Learning Organization. These are the brands that millennials are going to now.

More Effort into Changing your Look

As I mentioned before, I use to think fashion was black and white. You were either “in fashion” or you weren’t. There are just so many “in” looks at this point that it doesn’t matter. It is about how YOU personally brand yourself. Millennials are taking more time and effort into changing their outfits whether it is a business look today and a hipster look at home. They dress as to how they feel best shows who they are.

Other generations may call us entitled and spoiled, but I say we are the generation that brings innovation and encourages individuality and there is nothing wrong with expressing yourself! The reality of the fashion world has shifted because of millennials. Gents, tell us what you think. Do you choose your outfits based on the brand and what society thinks is acceptable? Or do you choose an outfit that represents who you are? Tell us in the comment box below!

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