Earlier this week, Alexander Skarsgård—ever the fashion freak—hit the London premiere of The Moment, and I simply could not stop staring at his chest. No, I am not a pervert: The Swedish actor donned a custom Saint Laurent look that deliberately drew the eye down to his sternum, thanks to his low-cut silky top. The sleek black suit he wore with it was classic enough, but that alluring pecs reveal made the whole ensemble feel shamelessly sexy. You could even say it was a. . . moment.
For the past year or so, Skarsgård has been pioneering the art of slightly-horny menswear on the red carpet. Whether he was baring his (chiseled) arms in a white sleeveless shirt, or letting his dogs out in Valentino flip-flops, the actor has been unafraid to show some skin—and he is not the only one, either. A whole new guard of Hollywood heartthrobs are ushering in a new era of sexiness on the step and repeat, where elegance meets a dash of kinkiness.
Take a rising star like Heated Rivalry’s Hudson Williams, who was spotted during New York Fashion Week wearing a silky white tank top with a saucy little skinny scarf to go with it. The pieces themselves were dainty and refined—but paired with the well-defined muscles, it instantly felt—for a lack of a better word—hot. Ditto for Colman Domingo, who was spotted at a Grammys after-party last month wearing a black suit and silky shirt. A timeless outfit, only he unbuttoned said shirt down to the navel, offering a glimpse at his little dangly chain necklace. I need a cold compress, stat.
Harry Styles and Pedro Pascal are two other hunks who have exposed their chests. When Styles hit the Grammys as a presenter last month, he rocked a classic Dior Bar jacket, but forwent a shirt underneath—allowing his chest tattoos to become the focal point. But it’s not just the upper torso having a moment. At the Coach show during fashion week last week, Tyriq Withers wore a tight little white tee that offered a sliver of his midriff. Who knew a belly button reveal could be so sizzling?
What is the takeaway, exactly, of all these gents showing some skin? Well, it’s refreshing, for one: There was once a time in Hollywood when heartthrobs relied on classic tailoring and too-safe tuxedos to shine, but we are clearly in a moment where men can now veer a little friskier, and have fun with their style. It’s like the art of red carpet dressing is getting a little more meta: Our imaginary boyfriends know what we want to see, and are more than happy to oblige. Yet their approaches to sexy dressing doesn’t feel crass or cheesy, either. The looks still feel elevated, striking the right balance between formal yet undressed.
And the good news, folks, is that it’s still the winter season. . . Imagine all of the steamy red carpet menswear looks we will get come the summertime. There will be even less layers. I personally could do with another hunk summit at Cannes.
