From plus size to silver fox, the accepted ideal of male beauty is constantly shifting.
What makes a man handsome – or beautiful? In past decades, the most famous icons of Western male beauty have been a rather narrow cohort – blue-eyed stars of the screen like Brad Pitt or Leonardo DiCaprio come to mind. But the idea of what the “perfect” male looks like is evolving as the film and fashion worlds embrace greater diversity, and the importance of representation is understood by global brands.
All over the world, the idealised standard of the sculpted male shape has rarely reflected the average man’s body. However, social-media apps like TikTok are helping to change male beauty standards by showcasing men who previously would not have had a platform. British model, body-positive activist and TikTok star Ben James is changing the way we view larger men. In 2019, as a plus-sized model, he took part in an advertising campaign for clothing brand Simply Be, appearing alongside other diverse models, and has worked with Ted Baker and Asos. James tells BBC Cuture that his work “gives comfort and confidence to boys and men alike, it tells them that they are wanted and they are worthy”.
I – Word Understanding
Plus size – larger than standard size
Silver fox – man with graying hair
Cohort – a group of people who have something in common
Diversity – inclusion of people with different qualities
Sculpted – in good shape
II – Have Your Say
1, Name at least 2 men that you consider handsome. What are the qualities that make them beautiful or perfect?
2, Speaking of diversity, what do you think of the following qualities in men?
a, Caucasian / white
b, Black
c, Asian
d, Tall, dark and handsome (e.g. Italian, etc)
e, Plus size
f, Silver fox
g, Older men
h, K-pop boys/men (vibrant hair color / make up)
