What is a Hot Nerd? Who is a Hot Nerd? How does one become a Hot Nerd? Men’s Folio breaks down the Hot Nerd movement and how to emulate that booksmart look. (Above: Mingyu of Seventeen)

The Gen Z-Gen Alpha ‘brainrot’ movement has evoked a few notable pop culture movements as of late. There is first, the ‘Brat’ summer wave, a chartreuse-green torrent of context-void slogans inspired by Charli XCX’s latest release. There is then a slew of irreverent vernacular that comprises highlight phrases like ‘skibidi’, ‘sigma’, ‘Ohio’ and more; each one recontextualised to represent an innuendo-laced manner of self-expression. And on a much tamer level, there is a resurgence in the community’s appreciation for nerds. Hot nerds, to be precise.

@_annejpn i have no idea what to edit pls helpme 😭#phuwintang #ilovenerds #fyp ♬ original sound – xiangel

The regard for Hot Nerds is unexplainable. According to this generation’s most trusted guidebook, Urban Dictionary, the phrase refers to “a really really ridiculously good-looking person who is smart and can rock a pair of glasses like no other”. Which essentially opens up the floor to nearly every bespectacled figure on this planet, who, more often than not, bears a handsome likeness. By our count, dozens of notable figures have been labelled a “hot nerd”, including but not limited to Wonwoo and Mingyu of Seventeen, Jaehyun and Mark of NCT, Freen and Becky of Gap: The Series and Wonbin of RIIZE.

The trend is not unfamiliar, especially for those who experienced sentience in the early 2010s. Recall Topshop’s most iconic (and most infamous) ‘Geek’, ‘Dweeb’ and ‘Nerd’ tees — and how it had nearly every pre-teen then in a chokehold. And then recall the rise of lensless glasses, worn for the sole sake of accessorising. We, as a society, have been here before. Now, some ten years later, we are back here again.

But the Hot Nerd movement also plays into the ‘Loser-core’ intersection of a-dork-ableness. It is an ironic jest of the past decade’s tendency for “ugly clothes”, where articles of clothing were worn in more unflattering ways. And it is also why society has seen a revival of ugly chic accessories like Bayonetta frames, haversacks and capris. Pop culture literature has historically advocated for this too, especially when “losers” were never shelved wholly into the “loser” category, but were also made out to be protagonists worth championing. Examples that come to mind include Andy Samberg (pre-Brooklyn 99 glow-up), Scott Pilgrim of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the entire Freaks and Geeks character list, and as of late, Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott’s Josie and PJ of Bottoms. Neither of these examples were dressed fashionably nor chic, but have now evolved to stand tall and proud for an underdog division of their own.

And naturally, fashion is for the movement too. While difficult to pinpoint the exact origins of fashion’s re-inclination toward the movement, society’s appreciation for the sharply-dressed nerd aesthetic can be said to have begun when loafers rolled back into the rotation. And as the geek chic to office siren arc has been floated as this year’s trend to watch, its vision goes far beyond where those tortoiseshell-rimmed Miu Miu spectacles will take you.

Below, study up on fashion’s smartest trend and get inspired with Men’s Folio’s guide to emulating fashion’s formula for the Hot Nerd look.

Geek Goggles

The thicker the frame the better. Lean into dark-rimmed geek goggles to appear as a vision of studious style.

Miu Miu Miu Regard Sunglasses

$620, via Miu Miu.

Louis Vuitton 1.1 Clear Millionaires Sunglasses

$1,190, via Louis Vuitton.

Dior Men CD Diamond R4F Metal Square Glasses

$810, via Dior Men.

Gentle Monster Vonzo 01 Glasses

$435, via Gentle Monster.

Smart Casual

It’s time to take the term “smart casual” more literally than it has been known. Get the book smart appearance with nerd-esque uniform tropes; think: polo shirts and shorter-sleeved schoolboy options, khakis and classic trainers.

Polo Ralph Lauren Tailored Fit Performance Polo Shirt

$249, via Ralph Lauren.

Celine Classic Polo Shirt in Cotton Piqué

$950, via Celine.

Prada Leather Sneakers

$1,540, via Prada.

Loewe Low Crotch Trousers in Cotton and Cashmere

$2,220, via Loewe.

Conservative Made Chic

When it doubt, it never hurts to overdress. Outdo yourself with menswear’s most formal. Smart staples like neckties, loafers and other sorts of adult dressing have returned to the zeitgeist after dominating last season’s Fall Winter 2024 collections. Take a cue from those pages and overdeliver, just like any Nerd would.

Gucci GG Pattern Silk Tie in Sky Blue

$240, via Gucci. 

Bottega Veneta Astiare Loafer

$1,500 via Bottega Veneta.

Hermès Terre d’H Tie

$380, via Hermès.

Thom Browne V-Neck Cardigan

$1,430, via Club21.

Brace For Backpacks

As one of the defining intersections of “Loser-core” and the Hot Nerd movement, a utility-first haversack comes in handy in more ways than one. It can be used to provide that much-needed casual component to an otherwise formal look, and also serve to hold all the paperbacks that one may carry around to sell that Hot Nerd image. The trick? To find middle-ground with an updated, modern-looking backpack.

Balenciaga Unity Large Backpack in Black

$2,450, via Balenciaga.

Kenzo “Kenzo Jungle” Backpack

$700, via Kenzo.

Hyein Seo Backsack

$320, via Hyein Seo.

Montblanc Sartorial Large Backpack

$2,515, via Montblanc.