Dressing like a ‘performative male’ is TikTok’s latest trend. Here’s what goes into looking the part.

Labubu, Clairo, feminist literature, matcha lattes, wired headphones.

What sounds like a sentence straight out of internet brainrot is the recipe for the perfect performative male, a satirical TikTok trend that mocks men who “perform” in a way that appeals to women.

Performative male dress-up competitions have popped up worldwide, from colleges like USC and UC Berkeley to parks and cafés in Berlin and Toronto.

In a recent such event in Singapore, participants dressed in oversize jeans and vests, cried out slogans like “We must stop period cramps,” threw sanitary pads in the air, burned sage, and played songs by singers like Clairo and Beebadoobee.

Amanda Massi, a luxury personal stylist based in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, said that the performative male aesthetic has become a joke because of the numerous memes about it.

But beyond that, she said, “there’s a significant, deeper psychological and cultural narrative at play.”

“The performative male aesthetic is a fascinating intersection of identity, intention, and cultural signaling,” Massi said.

She said the trend “blends elements traditionally associated with progressive values, intellectual engagement, and a casual yet cultivated masculinity.”

Here’s what goes into looking the part.

Slouchy jeans and graphic tees

The performative male trend is not a safe space for skinny jeans lovers.

The biggest giveaway of someone jumping on the performative male trend is his baggy, slouchy jeans or jorts, often high-waisted and thrifted. Extra points if they are light-wash denim.

Massi, the stylist, said denim shorts or jorts convey a “nostalgic yet deliberately retro vibe.”

If you’re trying to nail the look, you’ll want to pair that pair of jeans with an oversize cotton T-shirt or vintage-inspired graphic tee to signal effortless cool, she said. Then accessorize with a light-colored tote bag.

The overall color palette is muted and earthy.

“Think sage greens, oatmeal beige, faded indigos, and warm terracotta,” Massi said. “These shades suggest a closeness to nature and understated elegance without screaming for attention.”

Matcha latte

You are what you drink, and performative males drink matcha lattes. At least, according to TikTok.

Massi said the trend called for “artisanal or niche beverages like matcha lattes.”

Many participants of the performative male contests carried around a disposable cup of iced matcha, which they balanced in one hand while toting a book of feminist literature in the other — more on that later.

Matcha, a tea made almost exclusively in Japan from green tea leaves, has exploded in popularity around the world and become a TikTok obsession.

In Singapore, where sober parties are taking off, matcha raves have become a thing.

A Labubu plush doll

An interesting addition to the performative male outfit is a Labubu plush doll attached to jeans with a carabiner, per videos on TikTok.

The Labubu doll, made by Chinese toymaker Pop Mart, has exploded in popularity over the past year. Carrying a Labubu isn’t exclusive to the performative male look, though. People around the world, from US and South Korean celebrities to athletes, have been adorning their bags with the toothy dolls.

This part of the look brings to mind another TikTok-famous fashion trend — bag charms.

“It’s adornment, sure, but also a way of sharing oneself with others,” Carol Davidson, an NYC-based stylist, told Business Insider in April.

“A cluster of charms gives others a snapshot of how someone sees themselves and how they want others to see them,” Davidson added.

Wired headphones

According to TikTok, a performative male shuns wireless headphones, opting for wired ones instead.

While some go the easy route by using Apple’s old wired ones, others wear bulkier over-the-ear wired headphones — think the square-shaped headphones by Marshall.

Massi said wired headphones are part of the trend’s accessories, which include minimalist leather sandals or sneakers, retro eyewear, and artisanal jewelry like handmade silver rings over leather bracelets.

“Stylistically, this aesthetic draws from streetwear, vintage fashion, and normcore influences, yet it also incorporates subtle luxury or artisanal cues conveying discernment and refinement, such as handmade jewelry or sustainable brands,” Massi added.

Wired headphones have been cool for years, and not just in the performative male sphere. Bella Hadid, Zoë Kravitz, Lily-Rose Depp, and others have been spotted listening to music the old-fashioned way.

Feminist literature

Last but not least, the performative male trend is incomplete without a book of feminist literature — think “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen or “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath.

“There’s an intentional nod to feminist literature or other socially conscious media, suggesting intellectual and ethical awareness,” Massi said.

Massi said part of the trend involves very vocally aligning yourself with “culturally ‘hip’ or ethically aware communities” to boost social capital.

It’s all (mostly) a joke. And Massi said the performative elements make one question the sincerity of the trend.

However, she said, “they also open the door to richer, more diverse narratives around who men are and how they present themselves to the world.”

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