Robert Pattinson is no stranger to polarizing his fanbase and his latest public appearance is causing strife in red and blue states alike.
For years, the actor was caught in the contentious debate of whether his brooding vampire character of Edward in the Twilight series was more desirable over Taylor Lautner’s ab-tastic werewolf Jacob. In certain instances, the Team Edward vs. Team Jacob debate ended friendships, destroyed holidays, and nearly ruined all of Kristen Stewart’s likeability.
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On Friday, the online furor surrounding Pattinson found a new victim–his fashion swagger.
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While in recent years the British-born star traded Edward’s alternative flannels for The Batman’s gothy black suits, Pattinson’s latest style makeover was devoid of anything drab or sinister and downright fashion-forward.
Robert Pattinson, our global ambassador and a poetry-reading participant in the just-ended show, attended the unveiling of #DiorWinter23 by Kim Jones https://t.co/jwPhBTg6N1 in a look from the new collection.#StarsinDior pic.twitter.com/gzNpvn2jEW
— Dior (@Dior) January 20, 2023
Channeling his inner supermodel, Pattinson turned up to Dior’s Fall/Winter 2023 menswear show challenging gender stereotypes by rocking a glittery navy kilt skirt, brown fur jacket, knee-high stockings and black boots. Your turn, Team Jacob!
The 36-year-old also took to the show’s runway as he proudly sashayed down the catwalk hand-in-hand with Dior’s creative director Kim Jones and “Game of Thrones” star Gwendolyn Christie. A new “Trinity” is born!
Robert Pattinson with Kim Jones and Gwendoline Christie closing #DiorWinter23 show #ParisFashionWeek pic.twitter.com/WA879Wrv8V
— Robert Pattinson Photos | Fansite (@pattinsonphotos) January 20, 2023
While queer celebs like Billy Porter, Lil Nas X and Jonathan Van Ness have been pushing sartorial boundaries for years, Pattinson is the latest heterosexual male star to embrace the skirt aesthetic. Brad Pitt, Harry Styles, and Pete Davidson are just a few others who have recently said yes to the dress.
As expected, reactions to Pattinson’s androgynous fit came fast and strong.
The internet appeared evenly divided as many christened him fashion’s latest It boy, as others were ready to nail him to a cross for daring to step outside society’s rigid style norms.
The critiques left little room for rebuttal:
Robert Pattinson wearing a glittery kilt speaks to me on a personal level pic.twitter.com/OG3Sz2QOhz
— Rafa Sales Ross (@rafiews) January 20, 2023
Love him, however what in the black Jesus is he wearing ….no pic.twitter.com/m6B8rISL4s
— Phindi_y (@Switdifferent) January 20, 2023
YEPPP !! ROBERT’S FACE CARD NEVER DECLINES pic.twitter.com/7ubpmhBIj5
— rie (@mondlerogan) January 20, 2023
Que guapo
— Emi (@Emperat98677848) January 20, 2023
Harry Styles or Timothée Chalamet are the only ones that can pull it off
— ℝ (@rostotona) January 20, 2023
Only Robert can pull this look off
— Michelle Adams (@mta1776) January 20, 2023
Pattinson is very attractive man however Dior is making everyone doubt it. Like they try so hard to make him look as terrible as possible lately
— zuz pachara (@PacharaZuz) January 20, 2023
i love the gender bending fashion but atleast style it properly because WTF is this
— yoko ono muse (@shruturmurg) January 20, 2023
robert pattinson in a skirt and fur coat.. nobody expected this but god he looks fucking GOOD pic.twitter.com/KTvWeNq1PM
— ara (@battinsonlv) January 20, 2023
Whether you give Pattinson’s fashion risk two snaps up or two thumbs down, take a gander at some of his less “controversial” lewks:
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Related: Meet the new queer clothing line that celebrates all bodies and backgrounds
Terry
Nothing wrong with wearing a dress. A masculine male-appearing person in a dress gets attention, and that’s what life is all about these days – standing out and getting those likes / clicks / attention. 🙂 Media commentator Jon Lovett often wears a dress these days, and has been quite honest in the past about doing it for attention. Good for them!
Brian
He’s a sexy guy, but that styling is awful. The assembly looks almost random.
LumpyPillows
I agree. Maybe it was better in person.
bachy
Slender, naturally feminine or androgynous-looking males like Jared Leto, Timothee Chalamet or Harry Styles are (marginally) capable of pulling off fashions that are inspired by women’s fashion history. Granted it’s always a bit of a stretch, but if you’re a “pretty boy” you might be able to work a dress.
Naturally masculine-looking men just look awkward and clumsy in dresses, high heels and other feminine styles. If it’s beauty you’re going for, the angular, bulkier masculine figure is much better complemented by leitmotifs derived from men’s fashion history.
Kangol2
Corrected: “Naturally masculine-looking men just look awkward and clumsy in dresses, high heels and other feminine styles to me, Bachy. I should not generalize for everyone else, though.”
inbama
Of course he’s speaking for himself – that’s what an opinion is.
Your “correction” is not only unnecessary but ridiculous.
LeBlevsez
As long as its faux fur. Otherwise, its haggis in the highlands. (And don’t come back.)
BigE
Nobody’s wearing a DRESS. It’s a kilt and men have been wearing them for 1000s of years. More controversial should be the fur coat.
Kangol2
Thank you!
LegionKeign
How come when he’s walking the run-a-way with designer and Gwen the back of the “kilt” looked like shorts?
UncleFloppy
Maybe they are coulottes which are oh so fashionable right now.
Den
From the video it definitely looks like he is wearing coulottes, not a kilt. But it is a horrible combination of garments that would not make anybody look good.
Kangol2
If you’re going to rock a kilt or skirt or culottes or caftan or anything else, just wear it with confidence. The haters are going to hate.
Donston
At this point there’s nothing progressive or edgy about an actor wearing or skirt or kilt, especially during a runway show. As far as the ensemble itself, I don’t think it’s a good look. But there’s worse.
Diplomat
Since they’re doing it for shock value and clicks, they know it looks eye roll ridiculous. Be wise public. Don’t copy ridiculous. It won’t sell. Puffy skirts on slender male hips don’t compliment the way it does for women’s rounder hips. The fengshui is way off balance. The male body simply isn’t designed for that flow line.
LifeinShaw
Fashion keeps changing. Men used to wear makeup and wigs and frilly frocks. The Scots still wear short skirts ( kilts). People need to get over it.
HenryCameron
Looks like somebody told him to go by a clothing donation bin and put on the first three items pulled at random.
scotty
see what i mean about “them” cashing in on the werewolf boys?
LumpyPillows
So the real story, hiding in plain sight, is that almost everything going on these days is about fashion. From boys in skirts, to alternative pronouns, to non-binary protests – it’s all really just fashion. Not gender. Not a progressive movement. Not the destruction of the patriarchy. Just fashion As much as the left-wing masses want to believe they are changing anything. They aren’t.
scotty
we are the goon squad and we’re coming to town, beep beep!