To the question "what were dressed by Minsk dweller in the summer?" the answer is easy – pleated skirts stuffed mouth even the most devoted fans "Maxi". And to say, "what are our men?" is difficult for even themselves. Rather, to say something they can. But if someone would have thought to conduct such a survey every year, the answers are unlikely to differ by variety. And it's not only about the Belarusian men is the most men in the world, unless they are employed by the authors of Vogue Homme.

A look back

There were times, when men followed the fashion almost harder than women. The reason is quite simple. In ancient times, a special form of clothes or even a decoration on the headdress helped to demonstrate belonging to a particular class, and even men like to dot the i in this matter. Officials differed from the peasants, the military from the actors, the slaves from free citizens. So yellow clothes of a Chinese Emperor period of the Qing or artfully draped with himation, worn loose by the Greeks, is, if you want, a Union uniform.

But over time fashion increasingly began to acquire more and more value, more understandable to our generation. Namely, the opportunity to show that you, as they say, "get it". The social aspect, however, haven't gone anywhere.

Here's an example. During the lifetime of Louis XIV fashion for wigs globally changed three times – and each time, she supposed, and with great enthusiasm and zeal. Even the last butcher was considered a sign of bad taste not to have in the wardrobe of wig. Fashion today often ask "extras", however, today your potential clients are not subjected to ostracize you just because you have to this day not got a beard like johnny Depp. Modern man has the right to choose and advocate for it in full.

Someone might argue saying that how can you compare kings, at one time almost equal to gods and have the appropriate "dress code", with ordinary people? The first and more opportunities, and time. For the skeptics: in ancient Mesopotamia the beard had nurtured not only kings, but also military and even commoners were combed and curled every strand, adhering to strict geometry.

Again: quite a long time all that became fashionable in the upper classes, certainly was copied and was often brought to the point of absurdity by those who of such funds had, but also wanted to be fashionable. And if you think all this is long gone, you are mistaken. In our time this situation can be illustrated by numerous imitations of branded items (i.e. fakes).

From complex to simple

From a bunch of different outfits decorated with stones, lace and artful embroidery, men's fashion already by the 19th century, evolved into quite simple (compared to the same gustatory Louis!) by type of suit. Coat, pants, coat, cylinder. And indicators of status were no longer decorative survey, and the perfection of the cut and fabric.
There were, of course, bursts: "the peacock revolution" in the 60s, the hippie brutal when guys wore shirts in flower, sparkling costumes and wigs spherical of the disco era... But the mainstream is moving towards simplicity, capturing even those classes which formerly have despised the simplicity in principle.

Here let's take the late Steve jobs. Or better than bill gates. Not like the poor gentlemen – and something to be seen in their Armani suits. You would have to write off all their profession, they say, the pros that they are in the fashion know, but this is different. A literal demonstration of their status (financial as well) in the past (though not for all). To go out in simple jeans and jumper is not shameful nor the Manager of the provincial Bank, no American President.

Not to mention the desire of fashionistas to adapt the thing to suit your style of life – but not in the sense which invest in this modern fashion magazines. An example, again from our time: moccasins, which are worn on the resorts rich with relaxed views and bare feet, we dressed in worn socks all colors of the rainbow. It was warmer and the shoes do not RUB, Yes.

Local realities

And here we have approached the discussion of men's fashion "we". Let's be honest: it as such and not. There are sub-cultural currents, and that they are replaced fairly quickly. Replaced come emo punks, hip-hop is inferior to the Goths and Vice versa, and the hostages office dress code in everyday life wear suits or sweaters-jeans. The only phenomenon that can be attributed to the fashion in its traditional sense, is chaptertwo. Neat sweaters, black rimmed glasses, large bags, suede loafers and voila: Belarusian guys are almost indistinguishable from the European.

By the way, about the dress code. The costumes we wear uncle older, but fashion indulge those who are still in my twenties. And even twenty-five are often not. In our country the fancy stuff – the lot of young. And how here not to remember with a sigh pictures of older Italian gentlemen who bring you the blogs of street photographers is not worse than their younger countrymen.

Our grandfathers, even the most advanced, is unlikely to know what blogs in General. But they know that "in our time it would be a shame!" By "it" can mean anything from a green Mohawk down to his trousers Afghani. It is noteworthy that the older generation is no word about those who prefer "sweatpants", sneakers, purses and olimpici "Adidas". Perhaps they have become a familiar part of the landscape: this image does not disappear from the streets for twenty years. As for me, it is rotten, sir, something in our Kingdom, if boorish and unkempt "athletes" fit into our value system, and clean and harmless hipsters in sweaters with the diamonds and "rods" in my ears – no.

So, men's fashion has gone from excessive complexity to sophisticated simplicity, from absolute dictatorship to the notorious pluralism. To jump in the morning in jeans faster than to wrap the body in a toga, verifying every crease. And to paint the bangs in black or pierce the ear not in the example easier, than to curl the beard following the example of some Ashurnasirpal. Well, the guys with the beards who are willing to experiment and steal spouses Curling and practice?