To Bedazzle or Not to Bedazzle? Why Black Social Media Is Divided Over this Latest Men’s Fashion Trend
Recently, rap icon Fabolous caused a stir on social media when he was spotted wearing a head-to-toe bedazzled outfit on a night out. Critics across Instagram and TikTok dubbed him “Cinderfella,” while supporters argued he was ahead of the curve.
The “Into You” rapper did not need fans to defend him, though. He addressed the noise directly on his podcast, “Let’s Rap About It”:” Just to be clear, for everybody who comments, I really don’t care what people think. I really wear whatever I wanna wear.”
Fabolous is hardly the first man online to face backlash for a glittery fit. Bedazzled menswear has become one of the most polarizing trends on social media, with creators debating whether rhinestones belong on men at all. Here is a look at the trend and why some folks are not feeling it.
A Look At The Trend
As modeled by Fabolous, the trend is very simple. It’s everyday men’s streetwear bedazzled to the nines, making fellas sparkle as they hit the streets on a night out, but while some guys are loving this fashion trend, other critics online have a lot to say.
Bedazzled Denim Shorts
The whole outfit doesn’t have to be bedazzled. Denim shorts are among the most popular sparkling garments for men, adding just a little more oomph to what might have been a very plain fit.
Related: See What Gen Z Will Be Wearing All Summer Long
Bedazzled Jeans
On an even subtler note, some men prefer just a trim of bedazzling rather than the full effect. These Fashion Nova jeans feature pearls and rhinestones running down the sides but are not the centerpiece of the entire look.
Bedazzled Gymwear
These glittery fits come in all categories, ranging from streetwear to a sparkly hoodie for the gym. It is not so much about the occasion as it is about feeling fly in your everyday clothes.
So, What’s the Issue?
@jenesisjourney.2 I’m so tired of the rhinsone clothes
#menclothing #fyp
Bedazzled jeans never hurt anybody, so what is the issue? Well, aside from some folks thinking the fashion trend is ugly, some women on TikTok feel it is very feminine and that rhinestones should be reserved for women’s clothing.
“I’m trying to see why all the men’s clothes got all these goddamn sparkles and glitters, like y’all wanna be fashionistas so bad,” said TikToker @jenesisjourney.2. The comment section was filled with folks agreeing with the creator.
“It bothers me so bad. Who gonna wear the pants (in the relationship)?” asked one user.
“Thank goodness my husband lets me be the diva,” added another.
Are Women Online Upholding Patriarchal Standards?
Although some women are upset about the trend, influencer @Kikiraereal highlighted the hypocrisy of women judging men’s clothing. “We spend so much time demanding that men stop policing our bodies, our clothing, our choices, and then we turn around and start policing theirs,” she said. “Pink is not gay; sparkle is not weak, and femininity is not an insult.”
Kiki added that expecting men to uphold a rigid standard of masculinity raises men who cannot express themselves and feeds into red pill subcultures growing online. But beyond restricting self-expression, this is not the first time men have worn sparkling clothing. Many Black male pop culture icons have rocked gorgeous, bedazzled fits for decades. We have examples.
Michael Jackson
Take Michael Jackson, for example. Not only was he known for his iconic bedazzled glove, but he also wore a fabulous glittery fit at the 1984 Grammy Awards—and he looked exactly like the superstar he was.
Luther Vandross
If Michael Jackson is not enough to convince you, just look at Luther Vandross. The jeweled suit he wore for a performance at Madison Square Garden was undeniably fly. Not only did he look stylish, but his suit ensured his fans in the back row could see him clearly under the stage lights.
James Brown
The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, also had many twinkling moments onstage, and he always pulled the look off. Maybe the bedazzled movement is not for all men, but it is definitely for some. And Black men, as usual, have been ahead of the curve in fashion.
Men Who Are Against the Bedazzled Movement
Even though lots of men on TikTok are rocking bedazzled fits, other male creators are agreeing with the women and saying it is time to put the rhinestones down. One creator, @nbw_wizz, pushed back against the trend, stating: “(Some men are) shining more than the females. See, this is why they don’t respect us. This is why they say we’re the new bitches,” he said. “Looking like a WWE Bratz doll.”
Men Feel Forced to Put Away Their Bedazzled Clothes
Other guys on social media are feeling the pressure to tone down their wardrobe choices and are even getting rid of their twinkling clothes. Fashion creator @damnerich did a sweep of his closet after receiving a wave of criticism for his styling choices.
“Due to the amount of backlash I’m receiving right now, I decided to go through all my bedazzled shit and get rid of it. I’ve been called the most outrageous things ever,” he said. “So, I’m just clearing out my closet. I got all this bedazzled shit that I will not ever wear again. I don’t want to see it, not once.”
Men Who Are For the Bedazzled Movement
@rayyyarchive Why are Rhinestones hated so much right now? Bedazzled men era as some of you would say
#rhinestones #mensfashion #fashiontok #streetwear #fyp
However, in the spirit of Fabolous, some fellas are standing strong and continuing to wear their rhinestone-studded fits. As creator @Rayyyarchive put it, fashion is a form of self-expression, and if someone does not like how you dress, they will just have to move on.
Women-Approved Bedazzled Clothes
@shereesereneee since you guys can’t see the vision here’s the example
TikTok creator @shereesenreneee compiled examples of tasteful bedazzled fits for men seeking a more balanced look. Like a denim two-piece set, a subtle sparkling baseball cap, or disco-style pants for a night out.
It’s a Bedazzled Summer
At the end of the day, whether you are for or against it, the bedazzled movement is one of the biggest summer menswear trends right now. Many guys on TikTok are proudly rocking their blinged-out clothes; it looks like the trend is here to stay.
