From Rules to Freedom: How Menswear Is Redefining the Codes of Style

Influencer Moisés Lopes discusses the evolution of menswear, the growing popularity of bags among men, and the importance of building a style rooted in identity and authenticity

For a long time, menswear was surrounded by rules about what a man could or could not wear. Colors, silhouettes, and accessories were often associated with rigid ideas of masculinity. In recent years, however, this landscape has been changing. Fashion has increasingly become connected to individual expression, making room for men who want to experiment with different styles without necessarily adhering to traditional codes.

For influencer Moisés Lopes, one of the main transformations behind this movement is precisely the freedom of expression. “Today, men understand much more that fashion goes beyond clothing: it is a way of showing personality, identity, and lifestyle,” he says.

According to him, this change is also connected to increased representation. “As a Black and gay man, I see this change as something very positive because representation has created space for different ways of being and expressing oneself.” In Moisés’s view, the result is a more diverse, authentic menswear culture that is connected to individuality.

Bags Are No Longer Taboo

One of the symbols of this transformation is the bag. An accessory that was once associated almost exclusively with women’s fashion has gained space in men’s looks and is now also regarded as a style element.

Moisés believes the resistance is fading. “I’m loving seeing men wearing bags without the burden of thinking that it’s ‘something for women,’” he says. For him, the accessory has gone beyond its practical function and has become part of the construction of one’s visual identity.

Even so, the influencer points out that the process is not yet complete. “We still have a long way to go before this is truly seen as something ordinary, without judgment or prejudice.” According to him, change depends on understanding that fashion should be a space of freedom, where each person can choose how they want to present themselves.

The growing presence of bags in environments traditionally associated with more rigid forms of masculinity also highlights this transformation. Moisés cites soccer players as an example: “It is a world historically marked by a very rigid culture of masculinity,” yet today it also features men naturally wearing bags and other fashion accessories while traveling, at training camps, and during competitions.

Trends Are Not Rules

With trends moving at such a fast pace on social media, another challenge is finding the balance between keeping up with what is popular and maintaining your own identity. For Moisés, the answer lies in understanding trends as inspiration rather than an obligation.

“Not everything that is trending will suit your personality, and that’s okay,” he says. In his view, true personal style emerges when clothing manages to communicate something about the person wearing it.

His advice for anyone who wants to improve the way they dress is simple: experiment. But without turning trends into rules. “The most important thing is to wear what makes you feel good and confident. When there is authenticity, it naturally shows, and no trend is stronger than that.”

The New Codes of Masculinity

The transformation of menswear also reflects a broader change in the way masculinity itself is perceived. For Moisés, traditional codes were shaped over decades by a culture that determined which clothes, colors, and accessories were considered acceptable for men.

“This caused many men to stop wearing certain clothes, colors, or accessories because they were afraid of being judged,” he explains.

Today, he sees a generation that is more open to experimentation and less concerned with using clothing as a way of proving masculinity. “They understand fashion as a form of expression rather than a way to prove masculinity.”

Despite the progress, Moisés emphasizes that prejudice still exists, especially when a man moves away from traditional standards. For him, the next step is to expand this freedom until choosing an outfit is no longer accompanied by concern about other people’s opinions.

“Fashion should be about identity, not about limiting who you are.”

Dressing for Yourself, Not for Others

In the influencer’s view, one of the biggest mistakes men make when it comes to style is trying to please others. Fear of judgment can prevent men from experimenting with pieces that might better represent their personalities.

It is in this context that Moisés once again advocates for bags as an accessory worth trying. More than a trend, they represent, for him, a shift in the very codes of menswear.

This evolution can even be seen in environments that have historically reinforced more rigid standards of masculinity. The presence of bags and accessories in the looks of soccer players, for example, shows that these barriers are also gradually being challenged.

For Moisés, the future of menswear lies precisely in this process of deconstruction: fewer rules, less fear of judgment, and more room for each man to choose how he wants to present himself.

After all, if clothing is an extension of personality, perhaps the biggest trend in menswear is precisely no longer needing to fit into a single definition of what it means to be a man.