New year, new resolutions; and expect your pub conversations – with an alcohol-free beer in hand – to be centred around the topic. You’ll hear the declaration that ‘2023 is the year’ where that friend finally follows through on the threat to bulk and cut to a superhero physique. Yeah... we'll see. But likely or not, this Jan presents plenty of inspiration to help them along the way.
I mean, just look at what's on the tele! Welcome to Chippendales (which needs little explanation) has launched on Disney+, ready to imbue your LED with well-oiled strippers with washboard abs. And Channing Tatum returns as Magic Mike next month, as the final instalment of the film franchise sees the 6ft1 actor’s built-out torso on the big screen… again. If what we’re watching is anything to go by, this winter isn’t about wrapping up, it’s about dressing down.
Intimidating? Yes, but there is a middle ground between naked and clothed, and Austin Butler demonstrated the perfect way to do it. Pictured walking into the Jimmy Kimmel Live! studio, Butler shows that even formalwear can even be a little bit sultry; all you need is a sheer shirt.
Beneath a subtly-striped Celine suit, the Elvis star embraced one of the key trends of 2023 by leaving little (of his chest) to the imagination. Shirt open to the navel, dramatic, rock star tailoring and the kind of rich Californian tan Ron Burgundy would be proud of. (The backpack you can probably skip.) Butler keeps knocking big fits out of the park, and proving that someone, somewhere has put the sexiness back into menswear.
According to the Spring/Summer '23 collections, we can expect the raunch to continue. Purveyor of Parisian panache, Saint Laurent's Anthony Vaccarello presented a cream suit devoid of any underlayer, accentuating the bare chest with a strong shoulder. Dolce & Gabbana had deep V-necks accessorised by rosary beads (the Italian brand shows it’s not a sin to be sensual), while Hermès opted for a wide-open collar with a little chest hair on display. And Zegna presented a day-time version of the Butler’s look, pairing a pastel suit with a blush-toned loosely knitted top.
Better yet, with the key being only that you show a hint of skin, you don’t have to stress about missing a few gym sessions. It doesn’t matter if you don't the bod of a stripper, just know that it’s totally acceptable to dress like one.
