Fashion’s neglect mirrors broader societal dismissal of male aging. Psychologist Dr. Robert Tan, author of Andropause: Managing the Male Journey, explains:

“Clothes that no longer fit become daily reminders of lost youth and vitality. Men internalize this as failure, fueling shame and withdrawal.”

This stigma has tangible consequences:

• Workplace Bias: Ill-fitting suits undermine perceived authority, with studies linking unkempt attire to lower promotion rates.

• Social Isolation: 44% of men avoid events due to body image concerns, per a 2022 Ipsos survey.

• Healthcare Avoidance: Only 12% of men discuss hormonal symptoms with doctors, fearing emasculation.

Perimenopausal women deserve more than stretchy black leggings and oversized sweatshirts. They deserve clothes that honor their bodies as they are today—not relics of a past self. By demanding transparency from brands, supporting ethical manufacturers, and rejecting imported sizing norms, we can redefine fashion as a tool of empowerment, not erasure.

Schools and community organizations should incorporate critical digital literacy into their curricula, teaching young people to recognize algorithmic manipulation and make more conscious consumption decisions. This education should include understanding how recommendation engines work, recognizing dark patterns in e-commerce, and developing strategies for mindful engagement with fashion content.

The transformation of the fashion supply chain represents a generational project requiring sustained effort across multiple decades. The most immediate benefits—reduced overproduction, improved working conditions, and decreased pollution from new production—could materialize within 3-7 years of implementing algorithmic accountability and consumer agency solutions.

The most forward-thinking styling services are already positioning themselves not just as fashion advisors but as sustainability guides, helping clients navigate the complex intersection of personal expression, practical needs, and environmental responsibility.

Bodies change. Clothes should too. Some days, I donate a pre-pregnancy top and feel lighter. Other days, I slip into an old band tee and layer it under a cardigan that does button. Progress isn’t linear, and neither is style.

When retailers can't effectively integrate and interpret their data, they default to overproduction as a risk management strategy. The logic is simple: better to have too much than too little. This approach, however, leads to enormous waste, with an estimated 30% of all clothes produced never even being sold before ending up in landfills or incinerators.