We’ve seen the harness styled à la streetwear on the SS19 runway of Louis Vuitton thanks to creative director Virgil Abloh and his “accessamorphosis” concept (the idea of using clothes as wearable luggage).
And if you thought the harness was a piece that was only made for the runway, you’d be wrong, as the wearable luggage was then spotted on both Timothée Chalamet (who opted for a glittery version) and Michael B. Jordan (who rocked a floral monogram harness over his suit). What was once deemed an erotic fixture exclusively used in the bedroom has now become the masculine accessory du jour. And while celebrities are embracing a chic adaptation of the harness with tailoring, it’s safe to say this year’s hottest trend will eventually take up the streets.
Recently picked up by Dior, Prada and Versace, as well as emerging and cult brands, such as Y-3, Alyx and Heron Preston, the fetish-inspired accessory balances elements of both danger and safety that should appeal to many. While it might seem difficult to imagine wearing a harness in public, the modern, deconstructed reinterpretation of the accessory has turned something inherently utilitarian into a delicate thing of beauty. And with this season’s military-inspired silhouette, it feels like now is the time to take a risk and wear this practical (but subtly risqué) accessory.
The versatility of the harness is the perfect sign of the times. Seeing luxury houses like Louis Vuitton override the industry’s gender codes and stereotypes shouldn’t be seen as a trivial trend. It is a clear sign that fashion is changing and redefining a new vision of masculinity that is fundamentally complex and multifarious. This trend could encourage men to finally just be themselves.
