There was a time not long ago when guys who cared about fashion were a silent minority whose main source of information was the monthly drop of magazines or retail catalogues they would read in solitude.

The internet changed that. By the 2000s, men were congregating in online forums where they could discuss anything from Japanese denim to traditional tailoring and getting exposure to designers through runway images on Style.com. The explosion of social media turned menswear from a niche hobby into an online phenomenon, complete with its own hashtag — #menswear. Although Instagram launched 2010, back then the action was on Tumblr. It practically turned personal style into a competition.

The internet has continued to exert its influence on menswear, letting guys find community in clothing but also fostering a mentality that prioritises scoring points online.

BoF spoke to Derek Guy about how the internet has changed the way men approach fashion, offered craftspeople a lifeline and made scoring internet points a substitute for dressing well. Read the full conversation in our #linkinbio.

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