Finally, Men Are Embracing Their Femininity (And We’re Totally Here For It)

If anyone knows how to expertly dress for a red carpet, it’s Billy Porter. And last night's Tony Awards was no exception. Billy stole the show in a ‘gender-fluid evening suit’ which made a loud pro-choice statement about abortion rights. The floral pattern on the red-and-pink tulle outfit - designed by Celestino Couture, complete with 30,000 Swarovski crystals and made in part from the Kinky Boots show curtain - was meant to represent female reproductive organs. Of course, he finished the look with a pair of kitten heels.

See below for Billy Porter's best red carpet looks...

‘At the fitting, we spoke about making a pattern on the train that was in the shape of a uterus, but not obvious of course,’ he told The Hollywood Reporter. ‘And I thought it was awesome because women’s rights are under attack right now.’ Earlier this year, the actor was casually carried into the Met - while dressed as an Egyptian Sun God - by six shirtless men and, at the Oscars, he wore a similarly fabulous black suit-gown. Speaking about his latest look with The New York Times, he said, ‘This question of masculinity, this sort of microscope of heteronormative masculinity that we are very often held up to, especially as leading men, needs to be shattered. You know, it’s toxic and I’m over it and I’ve lived it and I’m not doing it anymore.’

Of course, Porter isn’t the only man on the red carpet fed up of being held to heteronormative, masculine standards. At this year’s Met Gala, with the theme of Camp: Notes On Fashion, Ezra Miller and Jared Leto were wearing suits which kinda could have passed for dresses. Harry Styles turned up in a black, sheer Gucci shirt - complete with a pearl earring and painted nails. (And Styles has been seen wearing coloured nails more than once - recently, he turned up to a Gucci show with pink and blue nails.)

Harry and his painted fingernails are following the example set by late music legends like Kurt Cobian and David Bowie. (And, erm, Brad Pitt.) But Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness made history last week as he became the first male ambassador for nail brand Essie. 'I’m so honored to announce I’ve teamed up with @essie as their first non-female ambassador in celebration of Pride,’ Van Ness wrote, announcing the collaboration on Instagram. ‘For me, polish has always been a form of self-expression. Right now that means this mosaic rainbow mani moment. Wearing it proud! #essiePartner #essielove #LorealProud.’ Essie are right – men can rock beauty products, on their nails or on their face – and more of it please.