The Tamesis
“this [menswear influencer] There has been a real transformation of the space. “It’s broader, more confident and more community-driven,” says Thomas Walters, chief innovation officer at London-based digital marketing agency Billion Dollar Boy. “Womenswear thrives on reinvention, expression and rapid trend change, while menswear is more about building confidence.” People no longer seek out creators just for ambition; they want mentorship and cultural context. “
As men increasingly seek advice, attention is shifting away from traditional influencers and toward those whose careers give them authority. Tal Chesed, director of management agency The Wall Group, said stylists are particularly poised to take advantage of creators’ blurred lines in 2026. The Wall Group signed Troye Sivan’s stylist Marc Forné in September 2025. “Gone are the days of paying a stylist to launch a new bag or new pants,” he said. “Now, stylists can curate a story with a brand, for example, generate content on-site about how a piece is styled, publish that content, and display it in their daily lives and even to their clients.”
The expansion of the playing field also brings more opportunities for non-traditional collaborations, from NFL players dressing up in the tunnel to menswear podcasters posing in ad campaigns or collaborating on capsule collections. “There is definitely room for new things to emerge. It used to be traditional bloggers, now we’re seeing new influential voices,” said Sofia Corti Maderna, senior digital director at communications agency KCD.
KCD recently created a linen suit advertising campaign for menswear brand Bonobos, hosted by Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez, who served as showrunners this basement courtyard podcast. That translated into hard sells: the campaign brought the brand its most new customers to date, a 43% increase from the same month last year.
Madena said it works because it’s timely. “I want to emphasize that the key to all this is timing. It’s not just any [talent]who is trending right now and why? What is cultural dialogue? You have to strike while the iron is hot,” she said.
Death of OOTD
While menswear influencers of the past were able to get by simply by looking good and dressing well, today’s menswear consumers have deeper expectations. Brands now also expect visual storytelling, saveable content and clear paths to purchase, all with charisma and appeal. “OOTD and dressing well are no longer enough; [menswear] Creators need to integrate fashion into a broader narrative. Creators need a discernible voice, community, and clear cultural access. ” says Billion Dollar Boy’s Walters, who adds that long-form reviews and behind-the-scenes content can build trust in a way that short-form can’t match.
