Paris Fashion Week is back, which means we’re all suddenly turning into fashion critics again. For one week, we all act like we know exactly what we’re talking about before returning to the same outfit rotation we wear every day. This season, though, the men’s shows genuinely felt different. Dresses, sheer tops, lace, jewellery and a lot of legs. Like, a loooot of legs. And then there were the bags. Everywhere. Oversized totes, clutches and leather bags, slung casually over shoulders as if they’d always belonged there. It feels like menswear has entered a new era. One that’s less afraid of decoration, styling and having a bit of fun. This got me thinking: are men becoming the new “It-Girls”?
To answer that question, we first have to look at what an “It-Girl” even means. It’s far more than a girl dressed in “cool” and “trendy” clothes. According to the internet, she’s an attractive and fashionable young woman whose lifestyle, confidence and personality are especially admirable to her audience. Her outfits become headlines, her accessories sell out, and before you know it, everyone wants to be a little more like her. Just think about the icons of the 2000s: Paris Hilton, Serena van der Woodsen or the Olsen twins. Without them, Juicy Couture tracksuits or distressed Birkin bags wouldn’t be what they are today.
Now read that definition again, but picture Jacob Elordi. Or Timothée Chalamet, for that matter. Their sunglasses, loafers and, yes, oversized totes end up on mood boards within hours. Only a few years ago, men carrying anything bigger than a backpack still felt almost controversial. Y’all remember Joey Tribbiani showing off his “man bag” in Friends? He was laughed at, but it turns out he was just 20 years ahead of his time.
Nowadays, for comparison, men’s bags have officially become a luxury category. In fact, according to The Data Fashion Brief, Google search interest for men’s tote bags has risen by 190%, with men’s beach bags seeing a similar increase. Overall, searches across men’s bag categories skyrocketed between March 2025 and March 2026. And the data certainly points in one direction. Joey would have loved it.
But while these numbers highlight the current momentum, we know that female-inspired menswear isn’t new. Popular musicians such as David Bowie and Kurt Cobain already wore dresses on stage. Back then, it was controversial and often a political statement. Just as it was for Joey. Now it has kind of become part of everyday life and isn’t questioned as much anymore. At least in fashion, it definitely no longer feels like provocation; I might even say it has become mainstream.
So maybe we’re moving back in a way. But in a good way. I mean, Greek philosophers already wore skirt-like tunics. The Rococo man wore high heels. Look it up. Maybe what we should take from all of this is that fashion doesn’t have to be categorised into male or female anymore. Maybe it never was, and maybe dividing fashion into male and female is just a very modern, unnecessary invention.
But let’s be clear and get to the heart of our argument: it’s not really about clothing. It’s that men are increasingly driving trends in the same way “It-Girls” traditionally have. Their outfits are analysed online, their accessories sell out, and brands know exactly whose shoulders people are watching. I don’t know about you, but my Instagram feed was full of ballet flats after Harry Styles wore those mint-green ones by Dior at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
If there was still any doubt regarding the It-Girl potential of men, Paris Fashion Week put it to rest. Egonlab sent models down the runway in delicate lace tanks, embroidered slip dresses and tiny shorts, leaning into a softer silhouette. Saint Laurent, meanwhile, played with sheer fabrics and translucent dress shoes, while Dior doubled down on what might have been the accessory of the season: the oversized bag. Looking at the collections side by side, one thing became clear: lace, dresses and statement bags weren’t isolated moments. Different designers approached them differently, but they all seemed to be moving in the same direction.
So, to come back to the question from the beginning: are men becoming the new “It-Girls”? Maybe the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. Men aren’t becoming women, and lace or an oversized tote certainly doesn’t make anyone an “It-Girl”. What is changing, however, is the role menswear plays in fashion culture. For decades, women have been fashion’s main characters in front of the cameras. Increasingly, men are entering this world of visibility too. And even though we support a female-dominated field, this could have a significant impact on how society views masculinity. The best part, in my opinion, is that male celebrities aren’t making political statements every time they carry a Bottega Veneta bag or wear ballet flats; they’re just getting dressed. Because it’s normal. As it should be. Maybe that’s what makes someone an “It-Girl” in 2026: not gender, but effortless influence. The ability to shape how people dress, what they buy and which boundaries can be broken.