Man Repeller Fashion Is Back — And We’re Dressing Loudly

Scrolling through Instagram recently, I stumbled upon a trend report by @style.analytics discussing the resurgence of "man-repelling" fashion—styles that challenge traditional standards of attractiveness. Surprisingly, the list featured some of my favourites: crop tops, bold makeup, and pointy-toe shoes. The inevitable question arises: Why do men dislike these trends, and do we care?

The Roots of Repelling:

Indian Girlhood and Dressing for Safety

To an outsider, it might seem like another passing trend that exists on the periphery of their daily life. But in reality, the experience of man-repelling is deeply familiar to many, especially teenage girls in India. For most of us, it wasn’t a conscious fashion statement—it was a rite of passage, shaped by our mothers. Baggy pants, full-sleeved t-shirts, hair tied tightly in a bun, no bright lipstick—these weren’t just sartorial choices; they were lessons in navigating the world. At the time, it felt like an arbitrary set of rules, but as we grew into adulthood, the reasoning became clear. I clearly remember one occasion when, on my way to a friend’s party, I instinctively grabbed my oversized denim jacket. My satin dress felt perfect, but the walk through a crowded market made covering up second nature. The jacket wasn’t just for warmth—it was a shield, letting me move unnoticed. Once inside, surrounded by friends, I finally shed the layer, feeling safe to be seen. It wasn’t just fashion; it was a quiet mechanism for self-protection.

Whether it was to shield ourselves from unwanted male attention in public spaces or simply to feel comfortable in our own skin, man-repelling was never just about fashion. It was about self-preservation, autonomy, and, in many ways, reclaiming our sense of agency. 

What Is Man Repeller Fashion?

In a broad sense, it refers to dressing in a deliberately unconventional or bold manner—one that prioritises personal expression over traditional ideas of attractiveness. In simpler terms, it could be understood as fashion choices that men find unattractive to women. A Reddit thread exposed that there is no particular limit or reason to it, from bleached eyebrows, boxy suits, and pointy shoes to knee-high stockings, crop tops, too much makeup, too little makeup, bushy brows, thin brows, etc. men seem to have a lot of opinions when it comes to the fashion choices of women. 

Leandra Medine and the Rise of the Original Repeller

At just eight years old, in a home video, Leandra Medine Cohen, the woman behind ManRepeller.com confidently declared, “This is my outfit. Do you like it? If anyone doesn’t… I don’t give a shit!” -a  moment perfectly encapsulating the spirit of Man Repeller—fearless, self-assured, and unapologetically personal. In 2010, that moment matured into a realization during a shopping trip with a friend—many of the fashion pieces she loved, from shoulder pads to acid-washed jeans, were what she called "man repellers." These were clothes she adored not for their appeal to the male gaze, but for their bold, maximalist aesthetic which solely catered to her. This idea became the foundation for Man Repeller, a fashion blog that celebrated personal style without concern for conventional attractiveness. 

With Medine Cohen’s witty and relatable voice, Man Repeller quickly gained a loyal following, standing out in the fashion blogging scene. It coined viral fashion terms like “arm party” and “birth-control glasses,” while major brands and publications recognized Medine Cohen as an innovator. The site expanded beyond fashion, covering topics like beauty, relationships, and culture. By 2017, Man Repeller had transformed into a full-fledged media brand, launching merch, pop-ups, and collaborations with major fashion labels.

Despite its early success, Man Repeller faced mounting criticism over time. Its influential run in digital fashion media came to an end. The brand faced criticism for its handling of diversity and inclusivity, prompting founder Medine Cohen to issue a public apology. Despite a rebranding effort, Repeller struggled financially, ultimately ceasing operations in October 2020. The closure marked a significant shift in the online fashion landscape.

Is Man Repeller Fashion Making a Comeback in 2025?

Man Repelling is back in trend with a slight shift in understanding. Now Man Repelling is not only about rejecting the idea of dressing for a man but also about being unapologetically yourself. 

For millennials, the idea of dressing for oneself is hardly groundbreaking. Gen Z, in particular, has taken this further, favouring gender-neutral fashion and a fearless approach to self-expression, which is now also being reflected on the runway, dominated by brands like Christian Cowan (in NYFW Fall-Winter 2025), Thom Browne (NYFW 2022 spring collection) and Private Policy. The global androgynous clothing market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2021 to 2030, driven by an increasing focus on gender-neutral silhouettes among designers.

TikTok, Tomato Girls & Coquette Cores: A New Wave of Rebellion

The rise of trends like TikTok’s Tomato Girl aesthetic, Coquette core and Glowy Golden Hour makeup represents a surge in the rise of ultra-feminine aesthetics as women reintroduce themselves to femininity. Yet, at the same time, we’re seeing a surge in styles that reject traditional beauty ideals altogether—think drop-crotch pants, high-waisted jeans and clunky “ugly” shoes. This broad spectrum of styles doesn’t just speak to one camp or the other- it simply means that women are no longer conforming to the male gaze- instead more attention is now on the female gaze as women look to each other for validation and a sense of belonging. 

This vast range of trends highlights fashion’s evolving duality—on one hand, the embrace of soft, romantic aesthetics and on the other, a bold rejection of conventional beauty through deliberately unconventional pieces. This shift proves that style today is no longer about a single definition of beauty, but rather a spectrum of self-expression.

What’s even more fascinating is the rise of trends that actively dismantle conventional beauty norms. On TikTok, #UglyBeauty has racked up over 13.7 million views, while #ManRepeller aesthetics have drawn 4.8 million—clear proof that the movement is far from fading. Celebrities like Julia Fox have become the face of this rebellion, embracing bold, unconventional fashion that rejects the male gaze. Long before Fox, ’90s pop icon Gwen Stefani glamorized punk rock fashion, and even earlier, the Riot Grrrl movement made statements with mohawks, mini dresses, graphic tees featuring male torsos and crop tops defiantly emblazoned with slut.

Beyond the Male Gaze:

The Psychology of Dressing Loudly

I've seen men casually strolling through supermarkets and parks in boxer shorts and fitted t-shirts, while women wear shorts and relaxed tops in the same spaces. Yet, guess who draws the stares? Exactly. This raises the question: why is "Man-repelling" even considered a trend? Shouldn't personal style be an inherent form of self-expression, already accepted by society? At times, I find myself wanting to be invisible just to feel comfortable in my own skin—simply to escape the relentless scrutiny of people in general and not only men.

For decades, women’s fashion has been subtly or explicitly dictated by what is considered “attractive” to men. Man Repeller flipped this on its head, celebrating the idea that fashion doesn’t need to cater to male approval. Psychologically, this was an act of reclaiming autonomy, an assertion of self-expression over social validation. It wasn't just the fashion that gained traction, but the voice behind it—raw, witty, and self-deprecating. A unique perspective and openness about imperfections made the audience feel seen, allowing them to connect and reaffirm their sense of self. The aesthetic’s portrayal was like a ‘dear diary’ moment for girls- deeply personal yet universal. 

‘Today a man said that he did not like my outfit which means it must be a really cute outfit’, a trend which is all over social media. With the Barbie movie’s girls rule, boys drool energy and the rise of Brat Girl Summer (we’re ready!), it seems like society has finally reached a turning point. We’re no longer interested in dressing to appeal to men but instead guiding on how to dress to not attract a man. In the words of Carrie Bradshaw: “I don’t dress for anyone but me.”

From Annie Hall to Gaga:

Icons Who Dressed for Themselves

Annie Hall in the movie Annie Hall (1977) represented this aesthetic way before its labelling. Rejecting girly girl looks, her portrayal mirrored her character's free-spirited, quirky, and independent personality. Her oversized blazers, loose trousers, vests, and ties reflect her nonconformist nature and refusal to dress for societal or male approval. The same aesthetic was echoed in the Saint Laurent Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection, with its sharp double-breasted blazers, striped shirts, and sweeping long coats. Nearly a decade earlier, Milan Fashion Week had also embraced the man repeller ethos in its own way—Prada’s corsets layered over brocade dresses, Bottega Veneta’s richly textured knitwear paired with structured long coats, and MaxMara’s signature “mannish” trousers and oversized overcoats all embodied the spirit of bold, unconventional style.

The man repelling attitude has manifested in countless real-life moments—whether it was Kim Kardashian cloaked in a black Balenciaga Haute Couture ensemble at the 2021 Met Gala or Rihanna’s striking tribute to Rei Kawakubo in her sculptural petal-fabric dress at the 2017 Met Gala. Yet, if there’s one person who has consistently embodied this fearless approach to fashion, it’s Lady Gaga. Her unapologetically bold style has cemented her status as the queen of flamboyance. From the infamous meat dress at the 2010 MTV VMAs to the unexpected pairing of mismatched dishwasher gloves with a pristine white Azzedine Alaïa gown, and more recently, a sculptural white leather dress reminiscent of a car part—Gaga has redefined avant-garde fashion with her unpredictable, theatrical choices.

Louis Vuitton’s 2025 collection revived chunky bangles, a nod to Man Repeller’s iconic “arm party” and maximalist statement dressing. Meanwhile, Prada and Miu Miu’s undone beauty rejected polished perfection, favouring effortless, rebellious femininity. And then there’s SSENSE’s new bridal collection, which challenges gendered expectations within traditional wedding fashion. Featuring labels like Simone Rocha, Sandy Liang, and Chopova Lowena, the collection reimagines bridalwear by embracing exaggerated silhouettes, unconventional materials, and androgynous tailoring. One look deconstructs a wedding gown, replacing delicate seams with metal hardware, while another layers sheer lace in a way that obscures the wearer’s figure entirely. The result? A bridal collection that feels powerful, not performative.

So we must ask ourselves: Does our worth exist only through the male lens? If we let go of that perception, does it not free us to see ourselves more clearly—to embrace our beauty, strength, and presence on our own terms?