The girlfriend effect: How Channing Tatum and Brad Pitt became fashion icons thanks to their leading women

Irish Independent

24-04-2025

Zoe Kravitz, Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie all had a hand in their one-time BFs' wardrobe choices; it's a technique everybody can learn...
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It's a universal phenomenon, man meets woman, man falls in love with woman (vice versa) and man's wardrobe becomes 80pc cooler. This is what I call the 'girlfriend effect'. Take Channing Tatum for example. The Magic Mike performer was always considered to be an Adonis, but when he dated Zoe Kravitz, he became the pixie dream boy of all of our fantasies: the type of man who would wistfully stare at a painting in a pop-up underground art gallery and say something oh so insightful. Now, is this actually who Tatum is? God knows, but that's what his updated wardrobe said to the world, thanks to Kravitz.
The girlfriend effect can be interpreted in many different ways. Maybe it's your new partner gently nudging you in a certain style direction, or maybe like Brad Pitt, following your lover's style quest is a part of your love language. We've all seen the red carpet pics, he matches his hair style, his clothing and general demeanour to whoever his current flame is. He opted for a relaxed off-duty Hollywood starlet look while with Jennifer Aniston, with matching blonde locks of course. Then when he was with Angelina Jolie, he sported somewhat of a gothic-coloured wardrobe.
My personal belief is that men aren't uninterested in fashion, it's often just not a part of their general day-to-day life. Sadly, if a man asks his group chat what everyone's wearing out that night, he'll probably be mercilessly slagged off and possibly blocked. So when he gets a girlfriend, fashion enters the conversation. That's a slightly sexist view, I know, but speaking from experience, it's generally true.
Now if you're a kind girlfriend, you'll gently suggest clothing that may flatter him, or even go shopping with him and help him experiment with new styles. I unfortunately have taken more of a cut-throat response in my past. Yes, I have been the woman who says: 'Your motocross jeans and silver skull rings? No, you definitely didn't leave them at mine!' Little did he know I shoved them behind my bed when he stayed over and the next day they were sent to the charity shop in a Black Ops-style mission. Although I still believe I did the right thing — those jeans were a plague on humanity — I do encourage a kinder approach to other women.
And for those of you craving a better wardrobe but don't have a stylish partner, I suggest choosing a male celebrity or influencer who you admire. This could be anyone from model Lucky Blue Smith to rapper Childish Gambino. Focus on the main themes in their wardrobe and what interests you the most about their outfits, and decide what part is doable for you. For instance, a fully tailored suit may be out of your price range, but a nice revere collar shirt and chinos are doable on a budget! Indigo & Cloth in Dublin is great for some investment, standout pieces, while Marks & Spencer has durable staples you can easily build your wardrobe from.
What your A Kind of Guise short sleeve shirt says about you...
You're an artistic man who has refined his palette over the years. What was once spray painting graffiti in the black of night with Dizzee Rascal as your soundtrack, has turned into over-priced coffees while you stroll down to see the latest exhibit in the Irish Museum of Modern Art. You read a lot... and you like people to know that about you. You repped pink in your youth as an act of defiance against male expectations, and we love that about you.