India, Nov. 13 -- He carries a tote bag, wears a pastel oversized sweatshirt and probably has a labubu doll as a bag charm. He is a 'performative male', a term that is a new interpretation of the 'soft boy' aesthetic, but much more in your face. With over 20 million views on posts and reels tagged #performativemale, the trend is breaking the internet.

There was a time when men's wardrobes were built for utility, like the crisp shirt, the sturdy shoe, the reliable trousers. But today, the modern man performs, leaving the 'just getting dressed' mindset behind.

His starter pack is easy to spot: mesh tops layered with pearls, skirts with sneakers, tote bags, oversized sweatshirts, loose high-waisted pants or wide-legged jeans, wired headpho...