MEN, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO GO BLOND THIS SUMMER
words by ANOUK WOUDT
It’s a tale as old as time — being blond and summer just go hand in hand. There’s something about being blond that just makes sense for summer, whether that’s in the way it contrastingly complements tan skin and rosy sunburnt noses or perfectly takes to the texture of saltwater. But this sentiment feels especially true this year – specifically when we're talking about men. After all, the blond phase has become a sort-of rite of passage for all men, so to our dear brunette readers, take this as a sign. Stop overthinking it: buy some bleach and make this the summer you go blond.
image via PINTEREST
Hair trends may be in a constant state of ebb and flow, but somehow a summer’s bleach and tone has remained a constant throughout the years. Whether it be a buttery blond, icy platinum or early 2000s frosted tips, the look has a natural tendency to suit a day at the beach. Seen on the likes of Nicolas Hoult, Joe Keery and Nicholas Galitzine – though, to be clear, that was for his role as He-Man – it’s clear the blondening has decided to grace us with its presence once again. Perhaps at heights close to the early ‘90s bleach rocked by some of pop culture’s favourite it-boys, with Brad Pitt, Kurt Cobain and Justin Timberlake becoming figureheads of the blonde movement. Its most recent victim is Benito Skinner, who revealed his new look only a few days ago at the Teen Vogue Fest in Brooklyn, rocking a spiky platinum blonde look that looks straight out of a ‘90s skater drama or a 2007 hairspray commercial.
image via PINTEREST and @bennydrama7
Besides its real-life resurgence, the Internet’s latest obsession with Off Campus has given blonde men a newfound spotlight with the introduction of the latest white boy of the month: Stephan Kalyn as Dean Di Laurentis. Though the actor is a natural brunette, his blonde alter ego is what really got fans yearning – seriously, the power of a semi-attractive white man on pop culture’s entire trajectory needs to be studied. Becoming one of Amazon Prime’s biggest shows, Off Campus is an extension of the sports-centred teen romance show epidemic that’s hit the mainstream, following the love story of a star hockey player and a music student – basically it’s the straight version of Heated Rivalry.
Regardless, his blondeness sparked a movement – a look that once felt synonymous with absolute douchebaggery reformed to the likeness of a doe-eyed cherub. A bleach blond’s fratty nature may have deterred attraction for years, but it's getting a much-needed reinvention. Perhaps also attributed to Ryan Gosling’s Ken, blond men are being reframed as the “sensitive” type. Blond is vulnerable. It’s a reset, a rebirth, a chance to start anew, but also a mental breakdown signifier and a mid-life crisis. But in a chic, girl-getting-bangs type of way.
Basically, if it’s been on your mind, the answer is: yes, you should go blond.
