Fashion girls are ghosting the male gaze—one weird trend at a time

Women have long dressed for occasions, trends, and to fit in, rather than for themselves. From the corseted waists of the 1800s to Y2K low-rise jeans, fashion has historically been more about catering to external approval—read: the male gaze—than it has been about comfort or creative expression. But lately? The girls are revolting. And they're doing it in Crocs.

Fashion, removed from the male fantasy

Let’s get real: even the “effortless” looks women were sold in the 2010s—think bandage dresses and “no-makeup” makeup—were anything but effortless. They were just coded forms of control, wrapped in the illusion of choice. If you can’t fit into the trend, you’re not pretty enough; if you actually skip makeup, you’re questioned whether you're, in fact, sick or haven’t gotten enough sleep. The male gaze lurks behind every contour palette and every skinny-jean ad, and it enforces a standard that women just can’t keep up with.

But today’s fashion girlies have unsubscribed from that narrative—and they’re logging off in oversized cargos and craftily DIY-ed office shirts.

Hot girls are wearing outfits that only make sense to them

Several trend spotters on social media have declared: Hot girls are wearing outfits that only make sense to them. And the internet has collectively nodded. Think: a balletcore skirt with a football jersey, socks with clogs, or a floor-length coat on a summer day. If it confuses your ex, that’s the point.

It’s chaos dressing, but it’s also creative liberation. It says, “I didn’t dress to be perceived—I dressed to express.”

Ugly shoes are having their hot girl era

If the patriarchy had a nemesis, it might be the Birkenstock Boston. Or the clunky Tabi. Or Crocs with Jibbitz charms. Gone are the days of toe-pinching pumps and blister-inducing, sky-high stilettos. Today’s It girls are stomping around in orthopaedic clogs and fisherman sandals, and calling it a day. And they're right.This is what high fashion looks like today.

A wise fashion critic once wrote: “ugly fashion” is a form of resistance—and that’s never felt more true. Ugliness is subjective; comfort is not. And choosing the latter over the former? That’s rebellion in rubber soles.

Man-repellant fits are back—and they’re not asking for your approval 

The 'man-repellant' aesthetic, popularised by fashion blogger Leandra Medine, is experiencing a renaissance on social media. This trend embraces quirky, unconventional style choices that prioritise personal expression over male approval. In essence, it encourages dressing in clothing and accessories that men allegedly dislike—think oversized sunglasses, high-waisted jeans, jorts, and pointy shoes.

And what do these fashion items have in common? Men on Reddit hate them—and that’s exactly the point. Today’s fashion girlies are dressing to amuse themselves, confuse strangers, and maybe even go viral. It’s camp, it’s chaotic, and it’s completely uninterested in male validation.

Big jackets, big pants, no problem

Remember when “dressing sexy” meant bodycon? Yeah, no thanks. Oversized silhouettes are now the blueprint. Blazers so big they look borrowed from your dad’s closet, pants that puddle dramatically over your sneakers, sleeves that swallow your hands—it’s all in. Because who said you need to show skin to show up?

Zendaya always nails the vibe in oversized or exaggerated structured suits that look like they are designed to drown her—and yet, they scream power and presence. These shapes aren’t hiding the body. They’re reclaiming it.

Gender-blurring fashion is breaking binaries—and expectations

From Victoria's Secret model Paloma Elsesser in baggy streetwear to House of the Dragon’s Emma D’Arcy in their now-iconic “the vibe is the vibe” interview outfit, more fashion icons are rejecting the script altogether. Women are leaning into androgyny not because it’s trendy, but because it’s freeing.

They’re swapping out “what’s flattering” for “what feels good.” They’re done being told that curve-hugging is confident. Sometimes confidence appears as a giant hoodie and a total lack of concern for your opinion.

The final nail in the male gaze coffin? Dressing for your girls

Forget “what will he think?” The better question is: “Will my bestie scream YASS when she sees this?” Women dressing for other women (and mostly for themselves) has led to the most innovative, bizarre, joyful outfits we’ve seen on the timeline.
Think fairycore, clowncore, gorpcore—every aesthetic that rejects the idea of being “conventionally pretty” is gaining traction. And why not? Dressing for yourself is the new dressing up.

Fashion, for the longest time, has been a subtle yet powerful tool of control. But the girls (and theys) are waking up, and they’re not just flipping the script—they’re rewriting it entirely, preferably in chunky boots and a thrifted denim maxi skirt. The male gaze is no longer the mirror we’re checking before leaving the house.

Lead image: Getty Images

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