By Gayantha Perera

For a species that once wrapped itself in loincloths and called it a day, men have come a long way in fashion. Or have they? In 2025, we’re living in a world where men’s closets are bigger, sneaker collections are sacred, and grooming kits have their own PR reps. Yet, a few persistent myths still shape how men dress—and not always in the most liberating ways. This month of inclusivity, I wanted to discuss gender and what not directly. Let’s pop the buttons off some of these outdated beliefs and see what’s really going on.

Myth #1: Tailoring is Only for Suits and Special Occasions

Somewhere along the way, tailoring got typecast as something reserved for elites. Special occasions or weddings, or that one time a guy needed to borrow a suit for a graduation. But the truth? Tailoring is simply the art of making clothes actually fit your body.

If you are looking in the mirror and your shirt feels like it doesn’t fit, or your pants feel long -I can’t believe I’m saying this – you can get them tailored for the perfect fit! Whether it’s hemming your trousers, tapering your shirt, or just learning your shoulder width, a good fit is the secret sauce behind style that looks effortless. You can be wearing a hand-me-down blazer and still look like a million bucks if it’s tailored right. And no, tailoring isn’t only for suits. That denim jacket? Those cargos? Your favourite joggers? If they fit like they were made for you, congratulations—you’re tailored.

Myth #2: Athleisure Means You’ve Given Up

There’s a persistent, snobby whisper in the wind that says men who wear sweatpants in public have surrendered to the void. But modern athleisure is anything but lazy. It’s intentional comfort, elevated design, and functionality wrapped in one stretchy waistband.

Athleisure has become a style ecosystem of its own—with local brands like Carnage, F.O.A, and international legends like Adidas & Nike nailing the blend between sleek and sporty. The 2020s man isn’t dressing for the gym or the couch. He’s dressing for everything in between. Zoom call at 10, lunch run at 12, and a casual date at 7? Athleisure’s got your back (and glutes – if you're lucky).

Myth #3: Real Men Wear Neutrals

Let’s be real—somewhere along the line, society decided that the male colour wheel should begin and end with black, grey, navy, and maybe olive if he’s feeling spicy. Enter colour theory, the underrated MVP of men’s fashion.

Colours communicate. A pastel pink shirt? That guy probably has emotional intelligence and knows his coffee order down to the ratio of milk and water. A burnt orange hoodie? He doesn’t need validation—he is the vibe. Skin tone, personality, and personal story all play into what colours resonate.

Luckily, consumer brands are catching on. I am impressed to see mass market retailers in Sri Lanka are now pushing softer palettes and bold colour-blocking into menswear, and both young and old consumers have favourite colours outside dark palettes. So if you’ve always wanted to wear lavender but held back… consider this your permission slip.

Myth #4: Celebrities Know What They’re Doing

It’s tempting to build a wardrobe by copying celebs—after all, they have stylists, access, and a bottomless Gucci budget. But that’s also the trap.

The truth? Many male celebrities dress like they’re in a perpetual fashion dare. For every Timothée Chalamet moment that pushes boundaries, there’s a dozen confusing attempts involving leather kilts, cowboy hats, or full-on Renaissance cosplay. Do they pull it off? Sometimes. Should you copy them? Not unless it aligns with your own style DNA.

What you can take from celebs is confidence. Stylespiration is fair game, but imitation without adaptation usually ends in regret—or at least awkward photos.

Myth #5: Brands Define Your Style

Here’s the mind-bender: the brands you wear say something, but not everything. In a time when brand loyalty is big business, men are often told that identity = label. But having your whole personality bottled in one logo is kind of limiting, no?

That said, brands do understand their demographic—and some are getting better at speaking directly to modern men. From Deedat’s clean minimalism to Darlee’s vintage-urban nostalgia to GFLOCKs inclusive sizing and styling—there’s something out there for everyone.

But the best-dressed guys aren’t just followers of a brand’s story. They remix it with their own narrative.

So, Where Does That Leave Us?

Fashion myths are stubborn. They’re usually born from outdated norms, lazy marketing, or good old-fashioned insecurity. But the men rewriting the rulebook today are the ones leaning into comfort, experimenting with colour, and shaping identity through clothes—not in spite of it.

Style isn’t about myth-following. It’s about myth-busting. The modern man’s closet isn’t just about what he wears—it’s about who he dares to be.