Let LACMA’s Menswear Exhibit Inspire Your Dude on Dapper Day

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

Stylish LA dudes, your chance to show off your fanciest get-up has arrived. Dapper Day regularly organizes fun, fashionable events that encourage guests to dress to the nines, which can often mean stylized facial hair (artful mustaches are still a thing) and three piece suits for the gents, and 1950s formal dresses and fascinators for the ladies.

What more perfect place to hold one of these gatherings than the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where one of the current exhibitions on view is all about menswear. Reigning Men, which remains on view through August 21st, examines the history of men's fashions from 1715 to the present time.

The collection — which includes highlights like a 1940s "zoot suit" (exaggerated blouson pants included), an English navy uniform from the nineteenth century, and even a 1970s thong swimsuit — is solid proof that historically men have had the opportunity to be flamboyant in a way that didn't equate as feminine. See guys? Dressing up should be cool for dudes, too!

So guys and gals in the mood to bust out their best looks should head to the museum Friday for the Dapper Day festivities including a picnic and jazz music on the lawn from 6pm to 8pm. And if you've yet to see Reigning Men, the galleries will be open an extra hour between 8pm and 9pm to further inspire.