Breaking Gender Norms with a Fresh Manicure
Fan girls and boys all over the world let out a collective squeal this week when actor Timothee Chalamet stepped out in New York on Wednesday. The Call Me By Your Name star is well known for his stylish choices, but fans were quick to point out his newest statement accessory: painted nails.
(photo creds: @himothee on Twitter)
Chalamet has dipped his toe into the ever-growing pool of androgynous fashion before, yet painted nails are a first for the actor. While painted nails were a symbol of bravery and status in ancient Babylon, the trend has since become a more stereotypically female practice. In honor of Chalamet’s first colorful manicure, here’s a look at five of the most famously stylish men who have thrown out retired societal gender norms with their groovy nails.
David Bowie
(photo creds: Shutterstock)
This music and fashion icon was among one of the first men to popularize breaking gender norms with his vibrant clothing and striking makeup looks. In the early 70’s, Bowie released a studio album titled The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and created a glamour alter ego to go with it. The alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, conveyed just one of Bowie’s many fashionable eras, but it gave us some of his most iconic looks. Bowie is pictured above in his Ziggy Stardust look, complete with the signature red mullet and a singular blue nail painted to match his suit jacket and eyeliner.
Dennis Rodman
(photo creds: Alamy)
Dennis Rodman, a former NBA player, is notoriously experimental when it comes to beauty and fashion. He often donned multicolored hair-dos on the court and lavishly flamboyant outfits off the court, pushing the boundaries of 90’s NBA players' fashion. In the picture above, Rodman is seen flaunting his green metallic nails, just one of many manicures he rocked in his time.
A$AP Rocky
(photo creds: @asaprocky on Instagram)
This chart-topping rapper has become one of the most stylish men of his generation since his debut into the music industry in 2011. A$AP Rocky has long been a rep for Gucci and has never been afraid to stray away from the androgynous clothing that creative director Alessandro Michele has been pushing recently at the Italian couture house. The rapper is pictured here with a colorful and diverse set of nail designs, worn with two halo pearl rings.
Harry Styles
(photo creds: Samuel Bradley, The Guardian)
Harry Styles, a talented musician and another well-known Gucci rep, is a prominent figure in challenging society’s expectations for men’s clothing. His style has evolved since his departure from boyband One Direction and the singer has become increasingly experimental with his styling choices. In a photoshoot for The Guardian, Styles is seen peeking one eye through his bright yellow nails decorated with smiley faces.
Bad Bunny
(photo creds: Pinterest)
Last but certainly not least is the award-winning Puerto Rican trap star, Bad Bunny. The rapper rose to fame in 2016, and has since collaborated with musical stars like Drake and Cardi B. Bad Bunny has been consistently breaking gender norms and has become an icon in gender-bending fashion in the Latinx community. The star can be seen showing off his long pointed neon yellow nails in the picture above at the 2019 Premios Billboard Award show.
From David Bowie’s singular blue painted nail to Bad Bunny’s fresh set of acrylics, the trend of men’s manicures has certainly evolved over time. These are, of course, just some of the male celebrities who are pushing gender norms in fashion, and I expect that the next generation will only continue to break dated societal expectations, as they should!