It was a banner year for menswear, from Tumblr’s takeover of the blogosphere, to rappers setting a new standard of high fashion. Here, we recap our favorite splashes of style from the past 365 daysThe Internet, as it has for sports, porn, television, and, well, everything, has democratized the world of men’s clothing. Guys are as obsessed with the way they look as they ever have been. And men’s style has never been bigger in the public consciousness than in 2011. To break down this watershed year, we asked two nerds of this universe, GQ‘s Sean Hotchkiss and Park & Bond’s Lawrence Schlossman for their 25 greatest moments of the sprezzy-splosion.
1. Jay-Z and Kanye West Push Hip-Hop Towards High Fashion
Lawrence: I cannot remember a time when what maritimjatim.info a rapper wore has been under such scrutiny. Watch the Throne was packed with brand references (Margiela, Hublot, Dries Van Noten). Kanye’s been at the forefront for years, but by bringing Jay along for the ride they single-handedly set the agenda.
Sean: Luxury rap used to mean chains and rims, now it’s G450s and watches with names no one wants to draw in a spelling bee. All thanks to Jay and Yeezy. Ball so hard…
2. Hong Kong Earns Its Stripes
Lawrence: For a while there it seemed like the “Made in the U.S.A.” movement was going to stigmatize anything and everything coming out of China. Think again. The right stores (e.g. The Armoury, Ascot Chang) plus the right tastemakers are changing all that for the better. Down with stereotypes!
Sean: Hong Kong has always been the spot to cop super-cheap bespoke, but a major men’s Mecca? Not so much. In a short period of time, though, a handful of designers have changed the game. Who do they think they are—Japan?
3. 2011 Blue Itself
Sean: Since you’re the resident Anglo-Italian spokesman, Lawrence, I’m deferring to you, here. I’ll be over at Jak & Jil studying up…
Lawrence: Yves Klein blue, Naples blue, blogger blue—call it what you want, but it was the color of menswear’s summer. I don’t think I have ever seen a more obvious color story at Pitti Uomo, ever. Our favorite “analrapist” would be proud.
4. Ryan Gosling Becomes a (Style) Icon
Sean: Everything Gosling put on this year went triple platinum. We can’t remember a Hollywood guy in recent memory who’s garnered such widespread respect from the men’s style set. I mean, the dude broke up a street fight in a tank top, and looked good doing it. Hellaciously awesome.
Lawrence: Yeah, Gosling pulled a “Timberlake” this year AKA a dude completely beloved by the fairer sex that is so goddamn effortlessly cool that we have no choice but to begrudgingly send dap his way.
5. The Continued Emergence of Independent American Menswear Designers
Lawrence: This is the kind of thing that gets me excited to be a fan right now. A whole new generation of designers are representing for not only good taste, but this great country that we live in. Ovadia & Sons, Todd Snyder, and Ian Velardi join guys like Mark McNairy, Kirk Miller, and Riviera Club putting out gear that is making me feel downright patriotic.
Sean: And I’m proud to be an American, cuz at least we’ve got good clothes… (That’s Lee Greenwood for those of you keeping score at home.) Our economy may be going to hell, but the only thing I’m thinking about Occupying is the men’s section.
6. Michael Bastian’s Big Year
Lawrence: Bastian back! Bastian back! But seriously, MB had one hell of a year. He finally walked away with that much deserved CFDA award, broke up with Brunello Cucinelli, lowered his prices, kept his GANT collection cruising, and open hand-smacked NYFW in the face with an ill comeback.
Sean: The boob heard round the world. I had goosebumps after that show. “All of the Lights,” indeed.