When I started exploring the world of lingerie, I used to wonder why women could wear “male” clothing, but men couldn't wear “female” clothing, even if they were designed for men.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Since the beginning of civilization, underwear and lingerie have been present, and originally many of these garments were for the exclusive use of men, such as the "subligaculum" (a kind of short pants or loincloth) in ancient Rome, which was used as an outer garment by athletes, gladiators and theater actors, exposing their legs, while women continued to hide them under long skirts. Thus, we could consider that the first to wear "sexy underwear" were men.
Many things happened throughout the centuries…
During Renaissance, men wore clothes and accessories that would now be considered feminine: skirts, stockings, leggings, wigs, makeup, ruffles, lace and heels, which by that time symbolized power and wealth.
Back then, the middle class began to grow in many countries. They were merchants, adventurers, artisans or mercenaries who knew how to take advantage of the new economy. And to show their wealth, they began to imitate the nobility, also wearing makeup, wigs, leggings, and heels as they earned the money to buy them.
In Europe, underwear played an important role in shaping outerwear. Men's sartorial developed during this time and this included corsets, codpieces (shells or rustic jockstraps), panties, stockings, T-shirts, and briefs.
After the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution began. The middle class found that supervising their workers in wigs and heels could result in death or injury if such garments were caught in the machinery. And although men in these clothes were still being portrayed at social functions, women began to adapt and adopt men's clothing, in such a way that the items that men used to wear began to be associated more with women.
It was in Victorian times that roles were defined and then clothing became a symbol of gender identity. A new vision of clothing was established, which defined what respectable men and women could wear. Men could not wear what women wore, and women could not wear what men wore. And it was then that the gender clothing rules that prevail to this day began to be established.
So men's undergarments started their boredom path...
Underwear made from cotton, linen and even silk, in two pieces. Men began to wear functional, discreet and insipid underwear, while women's fashion began to experiment with various materials and textures, first to cover, but later to shape the figure, becoming a weapon of seduction, which would give rise to eroticism.
And for many years, lingerie was kept under clothing, waiting for intimacy to fulfill its function... However, the world of fashion and some great celebrities have managed to change existing ideas and preconceptions, making it increasingly popular and accessible to all.
Just remember trends such as Glam Rock and Glitter Rock that emerged in the 70's, led by artists like David Bowie, Elton John and other British rock figures, and that permeated the 80's with Prince, Madonna, Annie Lennox and more recently Lady Gaga, who -among many others- surprised the world and set long-lasting trends in favor of makeup, wigs, heels and -of course- lingerie, by using them in her videos and live performances, showing an androgynous and irreverent image.
In recent times, a group of avant-garde figures, led by Billy Porter, Harry Styles, Sam Smith and even the robotics engineer Mark Bryan have set new trends when wearing what could commonly be considered as women's clothing and accessories... Actor, producer and activist Ray DeForest is another public figure whose Instagram is full of heels, tights and stockings that he proudly wears, dazzling the streets and public places with luxury, elegance and his wonderful legs. Personalities who are definitely beyond "what people can say" and just wear what makes them feel comfortable and look amazing...
Today we hear terms like "gender-fluid", "genderless", "gender-blending" and many others, which are new forms of what was once called unisex... All of them imply removing labels and letting everyone wear what makes them feel good and allows them to express themselves openly.
And at fashion catwalks every day it is more common to see great designs made for both women and men, or what we have normally conceived as feminine, worn by male models.
However, in our patriarchal, conservative, macho and homophobic society "by nature", the use of sexy clothes or lingerie has remained reserved and stigmatized only for certain groups: artists, models, strippers and sex workers, and mostly focused on the Female gender.
MALE LINGERIE
In recent years a new trend has emerged in men's underwear: LINGERIE.
Little by little, in countries such as Australia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States, male lingerie fashion has been growing and becoming more famous.
New brands emerge every day to meet this new demand, promoting a fresh and sensual masculine image. Even big name brands have started exploring textures and designs that could not be conceived for men before...
In this new conception, men do not imitate women, but instead adopt the materials and styles that are often associated with female lingerie in a product designed and manufactured specifically for their body shapes.
We live in an "Underwear Revolution", where men turn around and decide to feel sexy and enjoy new colors, textures and designs for their intimate moments either for themselves or to enjoy with their partners, regardless of their sexual preference.
The inspiration comes from history, when man was the most extravagant of genres. Lingerie is a way of decorating the body, but enhancing it, without pretending to be a woman or hiding the masculine attributes.
For many men it is a challenge to open their minds and dare to try new things. They want to do it, they crave to, but many times the doubt arises: "I should better wear briefs". They will be contemplating the idea, but not deciding to take the step of buying something "different".
Once they immerse themselves in it, they live the experience, they enjoy it and they become regular customers, buying it again and again.
In the end, lingerie is lingerie, not feminine or masculine. It is a beautiful garment that is a confidence booster for anyone who wears it, regardless of gender.
At APOLLO SEXYWEAR, we wanted something that represented us but also embodied the softness and beauty of our designs.
We considered more appropriate the term "sexywear" than that of "underwear", since our proposal aims at the feeling and the concept of sensuality more than just fabrics or designs. Underwear is designed to be worn under other garments, while our intimate designs are designed to be worn and enjoyed with their design details, both for us and for our loved ones. Although that does not exclude how fun and sexy it is to wear them under a boring suit or jeans.
Male lingerie is designed beyond function, to be beauty in its design and arouse a feeling, both in the user and in the viewer. It is not necessarily the everyday garment, but something special and luxurious that makes you feel sexy.
Our pieces are created for a man who is not afraid to wear what was wrongly intended -by social convention- as feminine in its design and materials.
We are at the dawn of a new trend that, beyond fashion, has come to stay. Male lingerie is much more than traditional male underwear and nightwear... more delicate and sensual, accentuating, revealing and celebrating the male form, simply one step beyond.
It's about men seeing underwear and nightwear differently, as women have seen them for years: as a luxury, a whim, and something special that makes them feel good and be provocative.
Male lingerie is not an illusion, it is actually happening and it is all over social media. Many men on their Twitter and Instagram accounts use what they want and show it to the world.