glam

Glam, short for glamour, is an aesthetic and cultural term used to describe an intentional, often theatrical presentation of style and beauty. It emphasizes polish, luxury, and visual impact, combining ornate details with confidence and showmanship. In fashion, music, and entertainment, glam can refer to both a distinctive look and a way of presenting identity.

The term traces to glamour in earlier centuries, but “glam” became widely used in fashion and music during the 1960s and 1970s with the rise of glam rock. Artists such as David Bowie, T. Rex, and Roxy Music popularized flamboyant costumes, makeup, and androgynous aesthetics that blurred gender lines and prioritized spectacle.

Stylistically, glam is characterized by metallic or sequined fabrics, satin, fur, bold prints, platform shoes, and bold makeup with dramatic eyeliner, glitter, and sculpted features. Hair is often styled for maximum volume or artifice, and accessories are chosen to enhance a sense of fantasy and stage presence. The overall effect is theatrical, polished, and attention-grabbing.

In contemporary usage, glam describes fashion, beauty, and lifestyle choices aimed at a glamorous, high-impact look. The term appears in fashion, drag, film and media discussions, and everyday language to denote flashiness or polish. It can also be used as a verb, as in glam up, meaning to make something more glamorous.