In recent years there has been a rise in popularity in a new type of male stereotype: the performative male. The performative male is not defined solely by personality, but by a set of curated habits, style choices, and tastes that signal whom he intends to be—or whom he would like others to believe he is.
He can be found sitting in a park reading a book and sipping a drink.
If you look closely, his beverage of choice is a matcha latte. His headphones will only be wired earbuds. And the music that he is listening to will be Laufey and Clairo on repeat.
The book that he is reading will be a feminist literature book, for it serves as a source of personal inspiration and easy topics for conversation. And looking even closer, you’ll find that his outfit will be purposeful yet understated.
A collared shirt and a pair of jeans that both look casual enough to be effortless, but polished enough to feel intentional.
Last but not least, you will notice something on his totebag. For a performative male is never complete without their keychain: the Labubu.
The Labubu will be resting on top of their tote bag to show that they keep up with the latest trends on social media. All of these curated choices aren’t accidental, they are purely intentional. These choices show signs as to how he wants to be perceived.
At the core, the performative male is not about being genuine, it’s about showing a different version of himself that he wants to be perceived by. Everything from his drinks to his books…he’s performing a type of carefully thought out style and aesthetic.
The choices themselves aren’t “fake.” He may truly like matcha and Laufey.
But the point isn’t if he enjoys or embraces those things, but that those choices create a certain impression that he would like others to believe in. Ultimately, the trend of being a performative male has become more noticeable in today’s society.