- Alo socks and Asics sneakers are among the most coveted items among men right now.
- They also can’t do without expensive lounge chairs, home golf simulators and cold bathtubs.
- These items have become somewhat of a status symbol, showcasing men’s wealth and style.
What makes a guy cool right now? It turns out there are a few articles that help men tap into their potential.
Since the beginning of this year, men — from Gen Z to Baby Boomers — have been obsessed with luxury items like Arc’teryx outerwear, $7,000 lounge chairs and Dior cologne.
But there are more affordable pieces, like Asics sneakers and statement socks, that have also become status symbols for men.
Here’s a look at the most popular items of the year so far and why men are obsessed with them.
It seems like every man’s wardrobe includes Alo accessories, especially socks and hats.
Alo has become the go-to fitness fashion brand in recent years, surpassing even LuLuLemon.
The brand’s sportswear is beloved by celebrities and understated luxury enthusiasts alike, and its high price points have helped Alo reach more than $1 billion in sales. The company is also expected to have 100 retail locations by the end of 2024.
But two Alo accessories have become particularly popular with men: the brand’s $24 crew socks and $68 baseball caps.
The appeal, of course, is that both are extremely simple in design, featuring nothing but the brand’s three-letter name.
When it comes to sneakers, men are opting for “ugly” options that cost less than $150 each.
The “ugly shoe” trend is nothing new, especially among Gen Z fashion fans, but one old-school sneaker brand is reigning supreme among men.
Asics shoes have become a staple of men’s street style, leading the brand to record sales and profits last year, according to Footwear News.
The striped gel-soled sneakers are also making waves on TikTok, with designers regularly showcasing their Asics Kayanos collections and giving rave reviews to the brand’s other models.
It also helps that Asics running shoes typically retail for under $150, so they’re as affordable as they are trendy.
The most popular sports shorts come from Vuori.
For men, the brand’s sports shorts are worn not only during workouts, but also as a fashion status symbol.
Its Kore model, for example, costs $68 and comes in at least 14 colorways. They were featured in Vuori’s most viral TikTok video of the year so far, which was posted in late February and has been viewed 7.2 million times.
Since its launch in 2015, California-based Vuori has been a major player in the sportswear industry. According to Forbes, it is valued at $4 billion and is expected to have more than 100 stores by 2026.
Publications like Business Insider, Forbes and New York Magazine have also named Vuori as one of the best men’s athleisure brands this year.
Arc’teryx continues to dominate the fashion landscape.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you’re probably familiar with Arc’teryx. The brand was founded in 1989 and has been providing high-quality outdoor clothing that protects against the elements ever since.
But it’s just as likely that you’ve discovered Arc’teryx on social media. Its Instagram account is particularly popular, with 1.4 million followers, and TikTokers regularly post content about the brand.
That’s because Arc’teryx sits at the intersection of fashion and luxury trends. Its popular jackets typically cost more than $300.
Add to the mix musicians like Lil Yachty and Frank Ocean Wear the brand regularly and it becomes pretty obvious why Arc’teryx clothing remains a style status symbol for men in 2024.
Many men wear vintage style Casio watches.
When you think of men’s watches, luxury brands like Rolex are probably the first to come to mind. But in 2024, it’s actually Casio’s affordable pieces that are taking center stage.
The brand is particularly present on platforms like TikTok, where male creators regularly make videos (and each garner over a million views) that showcase the Japanese company’s watches.
Casio’s AQ-230A model variants, which offer both analog and digital clocks, are particularly popular and typically sell for less than $50. This trendy style is inspired by a similar watch that Casio sold in the mid-1980s.
Others have their eyes set on a Patek Philippe watch.
If you prefer expensive designer watches, you are probably familiar with Patek Philippe’s Golden Ellipse models.
Publications like Forbes named the $60,000 rose gold variant, which features 300 handcrafted links and 18-karat gold parts, as one of the best watches of the year.
And according to Google Trends, searches for Patek Philippe hit their highest peak since 2018 in May.
Everyone buys their three-piece suits from Suitsupply.
When you search for “#suitsupply” on Instagram, you’ll come across over 361,000 posts, many of which are “fit checks” posted by men this year to show off their designer clothes.
That’s because the brand’s pieces have become major fashion status symbols of late. Some customers have chosen to mix and match SuitSupply pants with other pieces in their wardrobe, while others are sporting full monochromatic outfits, like the brand’s $859 Havana set.
Speaking with Business Insider, a SuitSupply representative said the company ““is breaking sales records in stores around the world” and that demand for suits is particularly “accelerated in the United States.”
And the scent of Dior Sauvage is everywhere.
Calabrian bergamot, vanilla and patchouli are the top notes of Dior Sauvage — arguably the most popular men’s fragrance in 2024.
Sephora’s website lists the designer cologne, which comes in five sizes and costs between $85 and $270 each, as a best-seller for men.
Dior has also created a buzz with its Sauvage ads, such as this very short “film” narrated by Johnny Depp. Since it was posted on YouTube in early March, the video has been viewed more than 11 million times.
Businessmen love expensive Herman Miller lounge chairs.
The Eames lounge chair, in particular, has become the ultimate status symbol for wealthy men. It’s upholstered in leather, comes with a matching ottoman, and has been a staple of the designer brand since 1956.
The standard model costs $6,895, while the high-top version costs $7,395. However, depending on the wood and leather chosen, the chairs can actually cost close to $10,000 each.
““The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman are consistently one of our best-selling products,” Jennifer Nield, vice president of lifestyle at MillerKnoll, the parent company of Herman Miller, told BI.
She also added: “Although the word ‘icon’ is overused, it is exactly the right word to describe the Eames lounge chair and ottoman.”
What man wouldn’t want a golf simulator in his home?
Indoor golf simulators seem to be popping up everywhere, from offices to breweries.
But some men prefer to have golf technology added to their home – something Larry Olmsted cited in an article Forbes article from earlier this year. The quality of home simulators is improving and prices are becoming relatively more affordable.
Some of the most popular options from FlightScope and Skytrak, for example, sell for between $3,995 and $6,298. The technology is still expensive, but not as much as the $50,000 setups used by some professional golfers.
The ultimate symbol of well-being is the cold water bathtub.
Everyone seems to be into cold baths, from influencers to celebrities like Mark Wahlberg. And this year, many people are choosing to take the plunge at home.
According to Google Trends, searches for “cold water bathtubs” peaked in January and are on the rise again this month.
A $132 tub from The Pod Company is a popular option, as is the more luxurious $8,490 tub from Plunge.
Any man who wants to try rucking needs a sturdy backpack.
Rucking, or the practice of carrying heavy weights for long distances, is a huge fitness trend this year.
It’s only natural, then, that many men are now buying hiking packs to take part in this activity. Those from GoRuck, which can cost up to $585 each, are particularly popular.
The brand also saw a spike in online searches this month, according to Google Trends.