Marc Jacobs Is Making #MalePolish a Thing

Is the new bad boy wearing blue? (Photo: Instagram/themarcjacobs)

Ultra-hip designer Marc Jacobs, whose streetwise clothes and accessories are among the most coveted in fashion, is jumping on an Instagram trend: men wearing nail polish.

In celebration of what he calls “Mani Mondays,” the designer has been showing off his weekly polish shade with the hashtag #MalePolish — and like everything the designer seems to conjure, the concept has gone viral, with male followers adapting the hashtag to show off their own glossy manicures.

But make no mistake about it: Men aren’t lining up for pretty pastels or classic reds that many women flock to. This trend takes a rock ’n’ roll cue from counterculture celebs like Dave Navarro, Steven Tyler, Jared Leto, and Johnny Depp, who have all long experimented with moody hues for an alternative vibe.

Men are flaunting moody polish on social media. (Photo: Instagram/mastercamdrag)

And over on Reddit, there’s a sub called MalePolish, which has been running since 2013. The more than 1,900 members share their looks daily — and they range from a single black nail to some seriously over-the-top manis. The users also discuss the challenges of gender stereotypes for men wearing polish and share tips for getting the perfect mani. They ask one another questions like “Decided to use a file for shape. What do you think … too sharp for a guy?”

This is some serious style. (Reddit/elfishchimera)

Jacobs gets polished by famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi, founder of JINsoon and longtime confidante. “He chooses colors depending on his mood — I don’t suggest anything because he’s a very artistic person and knows what he wants,” Soon Choi tells Yahoo Beauty.

And while male professionals have long come in for basic manicures with a finishing buff or clear polish, Soon Choi says that the designer’s foray into color is inspiring more male customers in her New York City salons for a taste of something edgier.

Blacquer is the hue most chosen by men in New York City, says Jin Soon Choi. (Photo: Marc Jacobs Beauty)

According to Soon Choi, the most popular shades among men at her salon right now are: Black (Marc Jacobs Blacquer), Navy (Dolce & Gabbana Peacock), Black Red (JINsoon Risque), and Dark Purple (JINsoon Debonair).

Obviously not a clear polish. (Photo: Reddit/ullrsdream)

Male manicures also require more precision and steadier hands than when working on a female client, says Soon Choi. Men’s nails are wider and shorter, so it takes extra care not to touch the skin underneath the nail tip with the polish brush.

Is this urban trend going to spread nationwide? “I see a gradual trend toward more men wearing nail polish, but I think it will continue to be limited to men who are self-confident and in the fashion, beauty, and art worlds,” predicts Soon Choi.

A pedicure is one way of stepping into the trend. (Photo: Instagram/male_polish)

If you’re a dude who is intrigued by the idea but who thinks it may be a bit much to paint all your nails, there’s a charity that may be of interest to you. Soon Choi suggests Polished Man, which challenges men to raise awareness and funds to support children globally who experience violence by men, by wearing polish on just one nail to help spread the message.

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