One of these past few days I was walking into the gates at work passing four male security guards at the entrance. Oblivious to the fact that I can still hear their whispers one of them says, “This guy is wearing ‘girly’ pants.’’ What he is referring to is in fact are my grey tight fitting skinnies that I just bought at a popular men’s retail shop. (Just to be clear).
This interesting comment or observation by these guys got me thinking! Has men’s clothing changed so much that some people are having a difficult time distinguishing it from female clothing. I for one was very against skinnies when they first burst into the scene a few years ago. Like a typical stereotyping bloke I was adamant that they were effeminate and not something as a black guy (I know right) I would be able to justify donning those pants.
These thoughts suddenly conjured up a broader topic in my head about what’s manly in the 21st century. Are men still subjected to have smelly armpits and shower once every two days? Are we supposed not to care about the way we look because it might cast a doubt on our masculinity? Are baggy pants that hang just under your behind the only way to tell if a guy is really a ‘man’. What’s so bad about modern men caring about their appearance, interested in the latest trend when some men get away with wearing nail polish and eyeliner?(looking at you David Beckham, Jared Leto and our very own Blk Jks).
Metro sexuality is a topic that has generated much controversy over the years in media circles. Also a topic some friends of mine frequently have about what it means to be a man.
I am not talking about guys who wear more make up than their respective female partners but men who like to look good. So what if I like shopping for clothes that I am going to wear. I spend a few minutes in front of the mirror applying after shave and cologne. Does this mean I am suddenly less of a man than the guy with bulging arms working at a construction site with a beard that may put Dumbledore’s to shame?
Let’s be honest now. Men today are different from the way our fathers grew up. Technology has revolutionised the world, people have more freedom with their creativity and being a man doesn’t require that cheap department store clothing or knitted jerseys that our grandmothers made for us.
I’m not saying we should all start wearing nail polish, paint our facers like clowns and start wearing woman’s clothing. But just like we cannot be defined or judged by the colour of our skins. The way we dress is not who we are. Whether it is skinnies, latest aftershave or expensive cologne, it’s not a sin to care about your appearance. Heck I would be worried if you didn’t, that doesn’t make you a lesser man than the next macho dude.
As I walked away from the security guards, I kept thinking. What’s manly about four guys gossiping about another bloke before he even turns a corner? Where’s the masculinity in that?
Just a thought!!
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