Zoo Magazine's influence on UK Men's Casual Style
Since it was founded in 1986, Zoo has been one of the most popular and influential magazines for young men in Britain. It covers a range of topics including music, lifestyle, fashion, and entertainment, but is best known for its coverage of casual style. This article explores how Zoo influenced UK men's casual style trends through its promotion of sportswear, streetwear, and grooming products.
Influence on Sportswear Trends
Zoo magazine promoted a variety of sporting brands such as Adidas, Nike, Puma, and Reebok from the late 80s to early 20000s. These brands were seen as being cutting edge and stylish at the time, offering a unique blend of comfort, performance, and style that appealed to active young men. The magazine featured these brands extensively in its pages, often featuring athletes or celebrities who wore them.
This helped to create a demand for sportswear clothing among young men, which led to other brands also producing similar items. Many high-street retailers started stocking sportswear lines, and it became more acceptable for men to wear sweatpants, tracksuits, and trainers outside of exercise sessions.
The magazine also had an impact on the way men dressed when exercising, with many choosing to adopt the athleisure look, wearing running shoes and t-shirts even when they weren't actually exercising. This trend has continued into recent years, with brands like Lululemon becoming popular among young men looking for comfortable yet stylish clothing options.
Streetwear Influence
In addition to promoting sportswear brands, Zoo was also influential in shaping UK men's casual style through its coverage of streetwear fashion. Streetwear is characterized by its mix of high-end designer pieces with everyday staples, creating a unique and individual look.
The magazine often featured streetwear brands such as Supreme, Palace Skateboards, and Stussy, showcasing their products alongside interviews with designers and fashion insiders. It also promoted DIY customization techniques, encouraging readers to personalize their outfits with patches, pins, and other accessories.
This influence can be seen in the rise of streetwear culture in Britain, where young men are increasingly embracing urban style and experimenting with different looks. Brands like Vans, Carhartt, and Converse have all benefited from this trend, with their products being adopted by people who want to create their own unique look.
Grooming Trends
Zoo wasn't just influential in terms of what men wore, but how they looked after themselves too. The magazine regularly covered grooming products and techniques, recommending shaving creams, skincare ranges, and hair products that would help men achieve a polished look.
It featured interviews with male models and actors, revealing their secrets for staying groomed on and off camera. This helped to normalise grooming among young men, making it acceptable for them to spend time and money on looking after their appearance.
As a result, many brands started targeting this demographic with products designed specifically for men's grooming needs, such as Gillette's razors or Dove Men+Care body wash. Today, there is a wide range of products available to help men maintain a well-groomed look, with more men than ever taking an interest in their appearance.
In conclusion, Zoo Magazine has had a significant impact on UK men's casual style over the years, promoting sportswear, streetwear, and grooming trends that have become popular among young men. Its influence can still be seen today, with high-street retailers stocking similar clothing and grooming products to those promoted in its pages.