Not So Clichéd Fop

These image I thought I would share are from the latest editiorial, shot by Robert Mendolia, for Vanidad magazine. I think the looks pretty much speak for themselves, I love every outfit, including that interesting cape.

The literary concept of the fop became quite the slur by the Eighteenth Century, however previously had been applied to men who dressed with an elaborate amount of care. Of course modern literature still has many examples of the male fop lead. Indeed more often than not, that character used the fop identity to mask their real self, as is the case with the alternate characters of Zorro, The Scarlet Pimpernel and even Batman.

The actual realisation of this idea was in the Nineteenth Century British movement of the dandy. Arguably a backlash against the rising egalitarianism of the time, the dandy looked back to the gentlemen of the pre-Industrial era. They sought to be the perfect gentleman, taking care in their appearance, language and general demeanour. The dandy was the sober version of the ever elaborate fop.

It is a shame that since the affluence and rise of expendible income of the 1950s men have been remarketed as the lazy bachelor, the advertisers dream. Taught the other extreme, not to care for their appearance at all. Thankfully, that trend is slowly changing, however we still have a way to go before men take the pride in their clothing that the men of a mere two generations ago took - when no man would be seen without a smart hat and fitted suit.

In truth, I am now also rather tempted to grow my hair...

What are your thoughts on the shoot?

Thanks also to everyone for their lovely comments on Saturday's post.

Currently playing: Where Can She Be Found - Lee Carr

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