Here at Domno HQ, we only have to look at the popularity of our Softboy Mystery Boxes to know that softboys are very much part of the fabric of current fashion trends. Literally. Softboy style is flying high in the realm of male fashion, so familiarise yourself with our blog, Vintage Clothing Mystery Boxes, for a quick route in to grabbing yourself the necessary wardrobe wherewithal for softboy living. Even if you are unsure about presenting yourself in softboy clothing, just use our service and click a few times to get that softboy outfit delivered straight to your door. No research needed on your part. It really is as easy as pie!
What is Softboy Style?
Softboys confidently reject the uber-masculine brand of alpha male couture, which takes very much a back seat in this opposing style. No more admiring aggressive adornments, but rather presenting an altogether more approachable look, say ‘Boy Next Door’ if you are trying to conjure up the very essence of what we, and a host of others, are talking about. The colours softboys wear are mostly neutral or have a toned down / less vibrant feel to them.
You want to grasp the basics and this is where we feel our huge palette of pre-loved clothes instantly provides the perfect springboard for you to dive straight in to a softboy style, with little or no effort. Your pre-worn clothes themselves reflect the ethos of the softboy trend by their very existence. You’re already over halfway there!
The reason why vintage clothing matches so beautifully with the softboy aesthetic style, is simply because a softboy vibe reflects the caring nature of this group of wearers, and what better way to express this than through the clothes on your back (not to forget legs and bottoms too)?
How can I Achieve The Softboy Style?
The main way to nail the softboy aesthetic is by going baggy, but with control. We are not looking here for excesses and the extravagant cuts so enjoyed in the heady hip-hop days, where nothing could be deemed too baggy, Why Is Oversized Clothing Trendy?
No, we are looking for comfortably baggy yet respectful bottomwear for starters. Rips, patches, bleaching spots and assorted stains should be kept to a minimum here. The softboy trouser is more that of a decent kind of affable chap in chinos or presentable straight leg denim, rather than the wild pants of a rebel proclaiming this very fact to the world with his choice of bottomwear.
Go for a carefully selected baggy upper half, such as an oversized sweatshirt, an oversized t-shirt, flannel shirt or a classic Harrington jacket. All items readily available in vintage, which as we mentioned earlier, is the surprise twist to procuring the ideal softboy wardrobe. It is indeed vintage which ticks all the boxes for our softboy style seeker: thoughtful, environmentally compassionate, considerate and not jumping in with both size 11s to join the fast fashion hordes, charging towards the latest mainstream trend. Key factor is simple: just go vintage with softboy aesthetic style, allowing the secondhand apparel to guide you to making excellent choices.
Is Softboy Style New?
Here, as with our earlier blogs covering a different fashion style, How To Wear Vintage Streetwear In 2023, we have to concur, no, there is nothing intrinsically new about this trending softboy aesthetic. Revamped, reimagined, redisplayed, yes, but certainly not new, new, new. And so, all things softboy provide the perfect companion pieces to your vintage wardrobe.
Maybe this current softboy aesthetic style has its roots back in the 80s New Romantic movement, where men could wear frilly shirts without a second thought, and proving the perfect antidote to the heavy rock and punk of the time, or maybe softboy style is simply a natural evolution of men just wanting to recognise the innate feminine side of their personality, and enjoy the freedom to display it comfortably. Delve further into the look of the boy-next-door and you’ll soon discover how this style is highly achievable today.
Why Is Softboy Style Trending?
The current revival of interest in a softboy aesthetic started on Tik Tok, where it was aided swiftly back to the mainstream by its key proponents, such as Harry Styles, Drake and the K-Pop band BTB, with its band members all displaying perfect examples of softboy dress, hair and manner to be followed by any wannabe softboy (or softgirl, of course)!
How Can I Develop A Softboy Style?
Select the ‘Softboy’ option on an Outfit Mystery Box from us, and job done! But, seriously, we believe you’d like to understand the look for yourself, so … first thing to grasp, is that a softboy style allows for a world where men exhibiting the gentler side to their personality are met with appreciation. Unlike the rugged or bad boy style, their brother, the softboy, is differentiated by his ease of adopting a loose fit with welcoming and comfortable clothing styles, including pastel colours, floral prints and flowing fabrics. Softboys generally enjoy creative hobbies, such as art, photography, cookery, music, poetry and philosophy. Want to spot one near you? Then our top tip is to head straight over to your nearest arts cinema, indie bookshop, museum, concert hall or vegan café. Apologies for stereotyping here, but softboys do form a group exhibiting similar characteristics ...
Achieve The Softboy Aesthetic Style: Tops
Turning to the key wardrobe elements of achieving a softboy style, we recommend firstly looking for a baggy upper half garment, such as an oversized sweatshirt, an oversized t-shirt, shirt or jacket. Of course, perfect to go vintage with it.
Achieve The Softboy Aesthetic Style: Bottoms
Straight-leg jeans/trousers are the perfect choice for softboy bottoms, How to Style Vintage Jeans is a good place to start when setting forth in a classic jeans + top combo. You can’t go off-message with a pair of Levi’s 501s, Dickies 874s or Carhartt/Dickies straight leg plain jeans. But if you prefer something a tad more individual and out there, then feel free to give pinstripes and checkered trousers a whirl.
Achieve The Softboy Aesthetic Style: Footwear
Softboys hit the nail on the head when shod in a pair of much-loved Converse or Vans shoes, though those wanting a little more warmth and solidity on their feet, can equally choose classic Doc Martins, Air Force trainers or New Balance 550s and still be up there with the rest. Of course, any Adidas/Fila/Reebok basic low shoe will look quite the part as our lad finishes off his top to toe softboy look. Sit back and admire.
Achieve The Softboy Aesthetic Style: Accessories
Softboys never leave home without their accessories, and here we are talking about simple silver/gold rings, necklaces and bracelets. Look for these in charity shops and garage sales, collecting individual pieces made from a variety of materials, such as leather, silver, gold, beads and handcrafted fibres.
Achieve The Softboy Aesthetic Style: Hair
No need to spend your hard-earned dosh on a weekly number one razor cut when you’re a softboy, as the bushier and more ruffled you can grow those locks, the better. Curtains are an obvious choice for these chaps, who defo give anything resembling a skin fade a wide berth. Unruly, bushy and messy is the way to go.
Conclusion/Takeaway
We believe there is no better way to epitomise the qualities of softboyness than by expressing your personal kindness to the planet with sustainable vintage clothing. Achieving your desired look through no other means than choosing an outfit made up of pre-loved vintage clothing, really is a solid start to Softboydom, and with our Mystery Boxes offering a quick route in, we can help take the strain when deciding what this popular softboy malarkey is all about!
So, while anything goes in the fashion world, softboy style has emerged to wave the flag for anyone looking for a gentler and more nuanced style of apparel and demeanour. Think the boy next-door, and you’ll be heading in the right direction.
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