There is no doubt about it, 2023 was a year of memorable moments on and off the runway. From ‘Barbiecore’ to SKIMS for men (thanks Kim K!) and the next rootin’ tootin’ evolution of the humble CROCS, it’s been an unexpected year in the world of fashion, to say the least. So, what better way to reminisce on the year just passed than to reflect on the best men’s fashion moments of 2023? Here are our top picks.
Best Fashion Moments of 2023
Our list of the best men’s fashion moments of 2023 includes the following.
- Biggest influence: Barbiecore
- Most unexpected: AI Pope
- Best footwear moment: Tiffany & Co. x Nike Air Force 1 1837
- Best collaboration: Maison Margiela x Salomon Collaboration
Now we’ve rounded up our favourites, let’s check out the full list.
MSCHF’s Big Red Boots
One of the more whacky fashion trends we’ve seen in 2023, this spin-off Astro Boy sneaker remains one of the biggest sneaker releases we’ve seen since the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1, and for good reason. While sporting a somewhat cartoonish look, with their giant size resembling a VERY enlarged version of a snowboot and made from Lightweight eva, the Big Red Boots are one hundred per cent real and wearable. This may come as no surprise – they are from the same company that brought us Lil Nas X’s “Satanic” Air Max 97s with real human blood and the $98K “Birkinstocks” Made from Real Hermès Bags.
SKIMS Menswear Collection
Kimmy K once again has men turning their heads, but this time it’s for a different reason. The reality star took the world by storm this year by launching a new menswear line under her fashion company, SKIMS. The brand introduced a fresh collection featuring briefs, undershirts, boxers, leggings and more – the perfect option for when your underwear and sock drawer need a refresh. We’re not sure if it’s the product, or the fact that Neymar Jr., Nick Bosa and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander feature in the first promotional campaign, but either way, we’re sold.
Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton ‘Millionaire Speedy’
In 2023, the internet caught a glimpse of Pharrell’s $1 million Louis Vuitton Speedy bag and the new LV creative director caught some serious heat for it. Labelled ‘insensitive’ for parading the accessory during the ongoing cost of living crisis, Pharrell bore the brunt of public outrage, but fans weren’t exactly turned off, noting it was one of the finer products to be unfurled this year.
The super-expensive bag comes at a hefty price point for good reason – the duffle is made from crocodile leather in the signature Louis Vuitton pattern, and comes in an unmistakable yellow (the colour that Pharrell carried everywhere during Paris Fashion Week,) or rouge (red), vert (green), bleu (blue,) and marron (brown). The Louis Vuitton Millionaire Speedy bag is available for sale on a made-to-order basis, so start saving now.
Barbiecore
Easily the biggest trend to sweep the fashion world in 2023, Barbiecore was largely a female-led movement, but it did have a significant impact on menswear. The release of the Greta Gerwig film in July completely altered the contemporary colour palette, starting first with hyper-colour pink before style icons like Ryan Gosling introduced the dusty muted pink ensemble.
Whether you loved the film or hated it, its influence can’t be argued with. The trend encapsulates the colour pink, in any shade, as well as soft, feminine silhouettes, matching sets, embellishments and playful patterns. And no, this trend does not discriminate based on sex – if there was any year where the saying ‘real men wear pink’ became even more true, it was 2023.
Tiffany & Co. x Nike Air Force 1 1837
Another favourite shoe moment for us in 2023 has to be the Tiffany & Co. x Nike Air Force 1 1837, yet another shoe in a growing line of LVMH x Nike collaborations. The shoe epitomises casual class in every way, with a luxe black colourway with premium materials on the upper, a Robin’s-Egg Blue Swoosh, and a 925 Tiffany plaque on the heel. The collaboration and resulting shoe is designed to represent New York itself and the bridge between basketball and street style that made the AF-1 the crossover icon it is today.
Maison Margiela x Salomon Collaboration
Salomon has taken the world by storm since rising to popularity in 2019, and the brand is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Its epic high-profile collaborations, including that with Maison Margiela, have proven to be immensely popular in high fashion circles.
This time around, the collaboration spawned two new silhouettes – the Cross Low and the Cross High – striking the perfect balance between aesthetic unconventionality and high-tech calibre. And when Rihanna took the stage in Glendale, Arizona at Super Bowl LVII in a pair of Maison Margiela MM6 x Salomon Cross Lows, the appeal of the bright red, orange and pink hues of the shoe catapulted it to a position of international influence, and the rest was history.
AI Pope
One of the more, futuristic, fashion moments of 2023 was the time Pope Francis was seen wearing a massive white puffer coat, and given how real the AI fake is, we don’t know whether it is really cool or mildly disturbing. The swagged-out pope, dubbed ‘The Dope Pope’ picture went viral, believed to be genuine by most people until it was later revealed that it was actually whipped up using Midjourney, an artificial intelligence tool that can produce incredibly realistic fake images. If anything, this fashion moment offers an early glimpse of a new reality in the online world and the effect it has on fashion.
Crocs Cowboy Boots
It’s fair to say we had our doubts when we first saw ‘Crocs Cowboy Boots,’ but with time comes wisdom and we’re not ashamed to admit, they have grown on us. Crossing over into workwear, the American footwear brand’s latest release is just another step in its world domination. The new Crocs Classic Cowboy Boot reimagines the traditional cowboy boot, featuring a high shine croc-embossed texture and bold western-inspired stitching, and yes, you can add Jibbitz. A 2023 fashion moment to behold.
A$AP Rocky x PUMA Formula1
In a much-anticipated collaboration, A$AP Rocky and PUMA have released the ultimate collection. The Formula1 range is designed by A$AP Rocky himself (joining the PUMA Fam as PUMA x F1 Creative Director) and combines fashion, streetwear and motorsport in a beautiful harmony. The collection was designed especially for the 2023 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix and features unique streetwear pieces imbued with performance racing details and functional elements like removable gloves, knee pads, and tech-forward fabrics.
Balenciaga Cargo Sneakers
Italian fashion house Balenciaga is no stranger to big shoes but in 2023, the brand went all out. The latest effort, dubbed ‘Cargo’ was instantly meme-able, providing an exaggerated take on modern sneakers. With a massive, completely out-of-proportion sole, the chunky shoe caught attention when it was spotted on the feet of models at the brand’s Summer 2024 showcase. In a sense, it look as if Balenciaga had asked a mob of children to wear their dad’s sneakers to the runway. It was bold, slightly stupid, and totally captivating.
Fendi x Tiffany & Co
One of the most exciting collaborations of 2023, Tiffany & Co and Fendi prove that things only continue to get better for both brands. The brands’ first release – The Tiffany Baguette, is a limited-edition reimagination of the iconic Fendi bag, with a classic and in the iconic Tiffany Blue hue, however, the real star of the show came later in the year.
In October, the collaboration spurred a one-of-a-kind “Hand in Hand” Baguette crafted entirely out of sterling silver. Designed to honour the 25th anniversary of the Fendi Baguette, the one-off release was created using an age-old silversmithing technique called “chasing”. This method saw Fendi and Tiffany & Co.’s ‘makers’ mould the bag to their needs, culminating with a 2.3kg wearable artwork accentuated by stunning floral detailing.
How Man of Many Chose The Best Men’s Fashion Moments of 2023
To arrive at this list of products, the Man of Many team went through hours of rigorous testing, implementation and analysis before culling our shortlist down to the very best. Over the last 12 months, we’ve worked on curated products that push boundaries and pioneer new fronts, across the automotive, fashion, lifestyle and technology verticals. Sure, we love getting the latest piece of kit in our hands, but being able to point out the benefits and shortfalls objectively is at the heart of what we do.
As a result, this list is primarily comprised of products that we tested in-house and use extensively first-hand. While there are a few exceptions to the rule, generally due to scarcity and availability, we made note of the cultural significance surrounding each product should we not have been able to review it personally.
Men’s Fashion 2023 FAQs
In 2023, menswear saw a return to more traditional, relaxed tailoring. As a result, vibrant patterns and knits returned to the wardrobe, while sheer garments and loose-fitting trousers emerged as the everyday staples of the stylish man.
While it is hard to pinpoint exactly where fashion is headed beyond 2023, the influence of AI cannot be understated. Brands are already moving into the digital arena for runway shows and collection showcases, and this is likely to continue. Additionally, a further push towards supply chain transparency may lead to an increase in pricing among key brands, particularly as young consumers shift their focus to sustainability.
