By Christine Garcia & Katherine Rasmussen
Generation Z (Gen Z) is embracing a new aesthetic: the performative male.
You may not be aware of what a “performative male” is, but this trend has become a contagious epidemic affecting young adult boys across the country.
If you’ve been lucky enough to be graced by the presence of a performative male, you’ll know immediately: quarter zips, baggy jeans, knitted sweaters, tote bags, wired headphones, loafers and Labubus are staples. He’s probably sipping away at an expensive cup of matcha, listening to Clairo and Beabadoobee on his iPod. Having progressive beliefs is emphasized, though not typically acted upon; for example, reading feminist literature but not genuinely preaching feminism. Physical media is important, whether that is vinyl records, film cameras or CDs, all of which signal intentionality and taste.
Like most Gen Z trends, the performative male gained popularity on TikTok. Short videos romanticize a specific type of guy who appears emotionally intelligent, politically aware and culturally refined. These clips often show “day in my life” routines that include thrift shopping, flipping through vinyls, annotating books, and walking into cafés. The goal is not just self-expression but visibility, presenting oneself as thoughtful, progressive and different from traditional masculine stereotypes.
For some, the appeal is simple. The performative male image is widely seen as attractive, approachable and socially aware. For others, it offers a way to separate themselves from older or more rigid ideas of masculinity. In many cases, it is a mix of genuine interest and conscious performance.
In the past, “performative males” were known as hippies, hipsters of the 2010s, nice guys, wife guys (aka Ned Fulmer) or sensitive guys. However, it all began in the 1950s where men such as Marlon Brando and Elvis rose to prominence due to their charisma. These leading men amplified the concept of female desire. Now, social media is expanding the concept of a performative man on a larger scale.
Many guys probably do not even realize they are participating in it; they start dressing a certain way or picking up certain interests because it gets positive attention, and over time it becomes part of how they present themselves. Sometimes, however, when people genuinely enjoy these hobbies, it can feel forced when the aesthetic becomes someone’s entire personality.
This raises a few questions. Do you consider yourself performative? Why are you performing? Why do you participate in this trend?
Regardless of what you believe to be true about the performative male, there’s one thing for sure, you can absolutely spot one in the wild.
Do you want to know how to have swagger like a performative male? Here’s a list of requirements to become a performative male.
CLOTHES: baggy jeans, knitted wear and quarter zips
Performative males embrace bagger clothes and occasional knit wear to appear non-threatening and fashionable. Sometimes, they’ll even wear t-shirts that support a cause or movement. Bonus points, if you thrift your clothes because performative males are also eco-conscious.
On Tiktok, people are choosing quarter zips over Nike techs and matcha over coffee. Why is this? Tiktok user @whois.jason (Jason Gyamfi) went viral on the internet for his iconic lines: “You upgraded in life. You wear glasses now. You wear quarter zips. I don’t do Nike tech.”
Accessories: tote bags, wired headphones, matcha and Labubus.
One of the biggest indicators of a performative male is their accessories. They rock these things to signal their “soft masculinity and emotional depth to appeal to women by adopting trends. By engaging in popular trends and having interests like indie music, they show that they are in touch with progressive culture.
Activism
The “performative male” trend is iconic because of their hollow activism, where they use progressive values as a costume to gain validation. Some argue that leads to the oversimplification of complex issues, downing out the real voices. By appearing progressive online, they have social leverage over their more conservative males.
Ultimately, the “performative male” isn’t just about specific items, it’s also about challenging gender roles and understanding the complexity of society’s expectations. One thing is certain, performative males aren’t going away anytime soon. As long as there are Clairo vinyls to buy, matcha to sip, and thrift stores, they’ll always be there.
