Boy Bands Discover Clothes May be Bought Separately
The Jonas Brothers are back, and with them the threat of a new era of poorly coordinated, plain outfits bought in bulk to supply the whole band. The boy band image is stained with the poor fashion choices these musicians make: denim on denim, all-white apparel and enough metallics to be a substitute for thermal insulation in case of need. However, a new generation of boy bands offers hope of not only fresh music, but new fashion as well.
BTS
The Bangtan Boys, known as BTS, are a South Korean boy band formed in 2013. In a fresh adaptation of boy band cliches like The Beatles' signature slim-fit suits in the '60s, BTS introduces the tailored look with expressive colors, patterns and trims. Their styles are unlike those seen by boy bands before. It's reminiscent of the 1970s with bold bell bottoms and far-out florals. BTS is also spearheading more unseen trends, like wide sleeves and neck ornamentation. Even in more "cohesive" collections of looks like those seen in their music video for their song "Idol," the boys maintain a certain element of individualism that celebrates the unique members of the group. This is a new take on the boy band scene.
CNCO
CNCO is a Latin American group comprised of members from Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico. This multicultural mix is likely a factor in why their style strays from their predecessors. The boys are bringing accessories back to boy bands. They introduce the typical baseball caps and beanies, sunglasses, and basic jewelry familiar to listeners. They then expand on this to use masks, gloves, and chains to complete their look. They even introduce romphims to the industry. The new look of boy bands is in the details, and CNCO is ready to highlight those.
5 Seconds of Summer
Australian pop-rock band 5 Seconds of Summer grew famous as an opening act for One Direction. It was this time with one of the biggest boy bands in the world that inspired 5SOS to reject the mold. The band takes the stage with not so much as an agreed upon color making the connection between them. Instead, each member sports individualistic attires with emphasis on statement pieces that have no relation to each other. Bright blue fringe is brought back to the stage in the same group as ripped jeans. Neither statement is derivative of the boy bands before them, and the result is an incongruous look that brings more attention to the connection made by the music they play.
PRETTYMUCH
Canadian-American boy band PRETTYMUCH adapts a fresh new street style that is self-expressive yet complimentary of the ensembles in the rest of the ensemble. It's a bolder grunge that stands out against the urban background rather than blending into it. PRETTYMUCH is using their style to transform their image as a boy band, which one would usually think of as on the more pop and clean-cut side, to one that is edgier both in fashion and music. The band takes the oversized and relaxed streetwear style popularized first by Kanye West and re-emphasized by Justin Bieber's new line Drew, and adds vibrant colors to make it their own.
The boy bands of tomorrow are rejecting the established guidelines of what their group should look like, and the result is a space for freer self-expression and creative freedom which can allow them to produce better music.
