Ideas The movement that unlocked a new masculinity – Dandyism
Jun 9, 2025
Pedro Mendes, a men's fashion expert, guides a discussion with Rose Callahan, a renowned photographer, Chris Breward, a fashion historian, Ian Kelly, a biographer, and Monica Miller, an Africana Studies professor. They dive into the evolution of dandyism, exploring how it reshapes modern masculinity. From Beau Brummell's impact on men's fashion to the role of Black dandyism in social change, the guests highlight fashion as a powerful form of self-expression and resistance against societal norms, all while celebrating diversity and individuality.
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Dandies Build Confidence Through Risk
- Dandies often build strong confidence from standing out despite societal questioning.
- Their confidence grows from enduring challenges like assumptions about their sexuality or vanity.
Dandy as Revolutionary Symbol
- The dandy emerged during European revolutions embodying self-control amid chaos.
- He symbolized meritocracy and democracy, bridging different political and social ideals.
Beau Brummel's Understated Elegance
- Beau Brummel revolutionized menswear by rejecting flamboyance for understated elegance.
- His restrained style marked a new masculinity grounded in simplicity and meritocracy.
