“Boys’ Night Out” Gets a Makeover

The Fad Sweeping the Nation as Men Go Clubbing as Women

By Lila Moretti, Nightlife Correspondent

November 2025 — New York, Chicago, LA, Atlanta, Seattle, and seemingly everywhere in between

Walk into any major city’s nightlife district this fall and you’ll see it: groups of young men—lashes fluttering, heels clacking, lip gloss shining—heading into clubs dressed not in the baggy streetwear of past years, but in figure-hugging dresses, cute tops, pleated minis, and perfectly coordinated handbags.

What started as a niche TikTok challenge barely six months ago has exploded into a full-blown cultural moment. The trend, widely known as “Girlmode Clubbing,” has turned Friday and Saturday nights into runway showcases of youthful, exuberant femininity performed by men—some ironically, some sincerely, and most somewhere in between.

From Meme to Movement

The fad began, according to internet lore, when a group of NYU students dressed as “girls’ night out” characters for a joke video. The effect was surprisingly convincing—and apparently addictive. Within weeks, #GirlmodeClubbing had millions of views, with young men across the country documenting their transformations: contouring tutorials, wig-styling mishaps, frantic attempts at walking in 4-inch block heels, and triumphant mirror selfies of outfits that look straight off Zara’s front page.

“It just felt fun,” says 21-year-old Ethan from Boston. “My girlfriend did my makeup for a party. I thought I’d look ridiculous, but people kept telling me I looked cute. Then I realized I liked the vibe. Guys get to play with a whole new palette of expression.”

The Clubs Are Loving It

Nightclubs, quick to spot a trend that brings in enthusiastic patrons, have leaned into the movement. Some host “Fem Fridays” with discounted entries for anyone in femme attire, regardless of gender. Others offer makeup stations near the coat check for final-minute touch-ups.

“We’ve never seen energy like this,” says Tianna Rodriguez, manager of Pulse in Miami. “The dance floor is happier, people are more open, and honestly—everyone looks gorgeous.”

Bartenders report that the atmosphere feels strangely more polite on Girlmode nights. “Guys in dresses tip better,” one joked.

The Fashion Industry Joins In

Retailers have not been slow to catch on. Urban Outfitters, ASOS, and H&M have quietly launched “fluid femme” capsule lines aimed at men seeking club-friendly femininity: stretchy minis designed to accommodate broader shoulders, heels with slightly wider widths, and crop tops with more forgiving cuts.

Beauty brands are partnering with male influencers for collab lines of glosses and shimmery eyeshadows. Tutorials such as “Makeup for the Masculine Jawline” trend daily on TikTok.

Notably, many of the biggest promoters of the trend are straight guys with girlfriends who love the makeover process.

“It’s like having a life-sized doll,” said Jade, 23, while applying eyeliner to her boyfriend Noah before a night out in Chicago. “He gets more compliments than I do now, which is rude, but also adorable.”

Not Just Irony—A New Social Space

Though the fad started as a joke, many participants say it has become a genuine and liberating form of self-expression.

“I don’t even think of it as crossdressing,” says 19-year-old DeShawn in Atlanta. “It’s just dressing. And honestly? Miniskirts are way more comfortable on the dance floor than skinny jeans.”

Sociologists are beginning to take notice, describing the phenomenon as part of Gen Z’s broader dismantling of rigid gender codes. “This generation treats gender presentation like fashion—dynamic, playful, and situational,” says Dr. Melissa Groves, a culture researcher at UCLA.

A Night Out Reimagined

A typical scene outside any major club now features:

• Groups of boys carefully matching their handbags
• Freshly-waxed legs comparing heel heights
• Guys fixing one another’s wig bangs before entering
• Lip gloss being passed around like gum
• Young men complaining about how hard it is to keep a purse organized
• And at least one group nervously practicing how to pose for pictures in their new outfits

Inside, it’s a mix of laughter, admiration, flirtation, and the occasional newbie face-plant from heels that were “cuter than they were stable.”

Even traditional jock types have joined in. “My whole frat does Girlmode Saturdays,” says Trent, 22, from Arizona State. “I thought I’d hate it. But man, when you hear people say you’re pretty—it hits.”

Where Is It Headed?

What happens next is anyone’s guess. Some say it’ll fade like a million trends before it. Others think this might mark the start of a lasting shift in how men understand fashion, beauty, and identity.

For now, though, one thing is certain: America’s nightlife has never sparkled quite this brightly.

And as one newly converted clubgoer put it, smoothing his pleated chiffon skirt before heading inside:

“Once you feel the wind on your legs, there’s no going back.”

Wearing Retrofête

Noah Galvin femulating in a Halloween episode of television’s The Real O'Neals.