Are we Metrosexuals?

[sharpdressedscot]

Metrosexual??!! I think not.

[Jack Daw]

The kilt is anything but metrosexual. A metrosexual way of dressing is very cosmopolitan-professional, very modern and form fitting. A traditional kilt is none of those things. Metrosexual is a style and doesn't indicate sexual orientation so there is no reason to take the label personally. But a kilt is just not metrosexual. I would assume the people labeling it as such have no idea what the term implies.

Phew! This is a relief b/c I thought it had something to do with inappropriate behavior with a city transit bus.

[GreenDragon]

i'd say "no."

[thescot]

I'll have to echo what Panache said. I was brought up in a family of railroad men--and I do mean both sides were exclusively railroad men--overalls, boots, caps, and the smell of coal (early on) and diesel fuel later. Not terribly spiffy dress for work.

But, when they were out on the town, they tended to dress very well, especially my grandfather. He looked like a banker or attorney in his Hickey Freeman suits and Dobbs hats. He taught me to dress well, like a gentleman, and to take pride in my appearance, too. Many of us old geezers rue the passing of "appropriate dress" and long for the days when men chose to wear nice clothes in public. I still prefer a tweed jacket with a sweater vest and tie as "casual attire."

I know, clothes don't really make the man and all that, I just like good clothing, shoes, and hats. But then, as I often say, I am old beat up, and no one really cares what I like. And I am quite comfortable with that.

There are some real advatages to getting older.

[Panache]

...I know, clothes don't really make the man and all that, I just like good clothing, shoes, and hats.

Jim,

I would disagree with this. When you first meet someone I note how they are dressed, their posture, how they present themselves, if they make eye contact or not, the firmness of their handshake, and how they choose to introduce themselves.

So clothing does count in my book as part of that initial assement of their character. It isn't where they bought their clothing, or what brand of clothing they wear that is is important, but rather how they wear it. One can wear a t-shirt and jeans and still take care of one's appearance.

I think we kilties put a little more thouight into what we wear and how we wear it than the average fellow.

Cheers

Jamie

[werewolves]

It isn't where they bought their clothing, or what brand of clothing they wear that is is important, but rather how they wear it. One can wear a t-shirt and jeans and still take care of one's appearance.

Ah, but, at least to my understanding, this would clearly not fit the "metrosexual" definition.

The question here is are those jeans from a top designer? Is that t-shirt a $60 one from a prominent trendy store? Is that haircut a $200 haircut from a known stylist? Are you using the proper moisturizer? Your underwear certainly aren't Hanes, are they? Are you going to that new club with the trendy $15 martinis tonight?

In my view, there is a lot more to the metrosexual label than simply being concerned about your appearance.

[Highlander31]

I found this on Answers.com.

A metrosexual is defined as a dandyish narcissist in love with not only himself, but also his urban lifestyle; a straight man who is in touch with his feminine side.

According to The Word Spy, Mark Simpson coined the term "metrosexual" in 1994, in an article in The Independent. His description of someone who is a metrosexual was printed on the internet's Salon.com. He wrote, "The typical metrosexual is a young man with money to spend, living in or within easy reach of a metropolis – because that's where all the best shops, clubs, gyms and hairdressers are. He might be officially gay, straight or bisexual, but this is utterly immaterial because he has clearly taken himself as his own love object and pleasure as his sexual preference." – Mark Simpson, "Meet the metrosexual," Salon.com, July 22, 2002

To follow up on what Jamie said. When a person meets someone for the first time, they do size that person up. Is the person's suit pressed, tie straight? Do they look you in the eye and firmly shake your hand? This always happens whether it is done on a conscious or subconscious level. That is why people like Tom Malloy (Dress for Success fame) were so popular with executives in the in the '70's and '80's.

[Colin]

Nope, I'm more of a retrosexual. No hair highlights, pink ties or manicures for this lad.

I know this has been put up before, but it's sure funny stuff. I like number 10

What is Retrosexuality???

My Retrosexuality is defined by the following Retrosexual code:

A Retrosexual, no matter what the women insists, PAYS FOR THE DATE.

A Retrosexual opens doors for a lady. Even for the ones that fit that term only because they are female.

A Retrosexual DEALS with stuff. Be it a flat tire, break-in into your home, or a natural disaster, you DEAL WITH IT.

A Retrosexual doesn't worry about living to be 90. It's not how long you live, but how well. If you're 90 years old and still smoking cigars and drinking, I salute you.

A Retrosexual does not use more hair or skin products than a woman. Women have several supermarket aisles of stuff. Retrosexuals need an endcap (possibly 2 endcaps if you include shaving goods.)

A Retrosexual does not dress in clothes from Hot Topic when he's 30 years old

A Retrosexual does not let neighbours screw up rooms in his house on national TV.

A Retrosexual will have at least one outfit in his wardrobe designed to conceal himself from prey.

A Retrosexual knows how to tie a Windsor knot when wearing a tie.

A Retrosexual does not strip naked, get into a sweat lodge, and bang on drums to bond with other guys. However dressing in kilts, banging on drums around a campfire, and drinking heavily is just fine.

A Retrosexual should have at least one good wound he can brag about getting.

A Retrosexual knows how to use a basic set of tools. If you can't hammer a damn nail, or drill a straight hole, practice in secret until you can or be rightfully ridiculed for the wuss you be.

A Retrosexual gives a lady his seat on the bus/subway/etc.

A Retrosexual does not order an apple martini at the bar. A Martini has gin and vermouth in it. And maybe an olive. In fact, why not just get a beer and a shot of scotch??

A Retrosexual doesn't get squeamish about having to DEAL with a pest animal, even if he has to kill it.

A Retrosexual does NOT use unisex perfume. The brand of after-shave his dad used is good enough for him.

Retrosexuals build and fix stuff. If you can't change a light switch, install a ceiling fan, fix a broken toilet or build a tree house, learn how.

A Retrosexual teaches his children how to deal with bullies in a way that doesn't involve "examining the other child's motivation for aggressiveness".

A Retrosexual does not wear designer clothing (unless it is a really nice suit to impress a potential mate).

A Retrosexual man owns an adequate variety of tools to accomplish whatever his next task might be. He has command over all he owns and can readily describe his next likely tool purchase. A rolling toolbox of at least his own height is a manly minimum.

A Retrosexual man is not to be reckoned with lightly. He possesses the ability to deal with it and if you happen to be “it” then you should watch your tone or be dealt with accordingly.

A Retrosexual man does not take advantage of lesser individuals simply because he can, but should he witness another attempting the same he’ll have little mercy on said bully.

A Retrosexual man doesn’t care if you agree with him or not. His opinion his not changed to suit the ears of the local audience.


A Retrosexual man is not ashamed of his body nor of the sounds and smells the might emanate from it. He doesn’t mind cleaning up or dressing nice as the occasion may warrant but also understands the therapeutic value in a well rendered belch. In public or not.

A Retrosexual man understands the vapid emasculating power of the city and spends significant effort to remove himself to the fresh air of the hills as frequently as possible.

A Retrosexual man can master any vehicle that he happens across, be it on land, snow, water or air, 2 wheels, 3 wheels, 4 wheels, 18 wheels, or no wheels.

A Retrosexual man does not add fancy chrome where it is not needed for essential metal protection. His vehicles are purpose driven and rarely show signs of “dressing up”. If he drives a 4WD truck or jeep then it is dirty on a routine basis. It also shows scars from being used for its built purpose. And he does not care about these scars except as a show of pride that the vehicle has earned its stripes.

A Retrosexual man does not mind being alone. The company of others is pleasant but not required. He has no use for meaningless banter for the simple sake of conversation. Take your idle prattle elsewhere.

A Retrosexual man can start a fire with or without any assistance from matches, lighters or fuel. And he can do so with a minimum of effort using a wide variety of locally available resources.

A Retrosexual man can tie knots. Steadfast knots. Different ones as required to suit his purpose. He also knows about the different properties of ropes and which are best suited for different applications.

A Retrosexual man can use a knife. Any knife. And his knives are always sharp. His preferred pocketknife is the Swiss army knife but not the fancy version that contains 47 blades, a magnifying glass and two shades of lip-gloss. One with a main blade, a saw blade, a can opener, a beer opener and a corkscrew will suffice. He can routinely use his knife to create things or to destroy things, all with equal aplomb.

A Retrosexual man can open his beer with a wide variety of tools, including his belt, and do so in less than 10 seconds.

A Retrosexual man doesn’t mind getting dirty. A little dirt never hurt anyone. Only girls and whiny metrosexuals are paranoid about dirt. Antibacterial soap is highly overrated and he is not inclined to use it without a compelling reason. Men lived for thousands of years without washing their hands every fifteen minutes.

A Retrosexual man is personally responsible for all aspects of his life and doesn’t seek to blame others for the wrongs and injustices in his life. He deals with them.

A Retrosexual man is in touch with his feelings and he doesn’t feel obliged to share them with some nosy female who wants him as her emotional companion. That’s what her girlfriends are for. Leave him alone and he’ll tell you when it’s OK to interrupt.

[Bugbear]

Metrosexual... I'm just a little country boy living out here in the desert, so I don't know much about those big city things.

I agree with Panache, but no several people who thrive on picking out problems in everything and everyone around themselves to the point that they can only see flaws. So, what can you do...

I'm not a member of the BSA and don't know too much about the rules, so I won't comment.

[PGH]

On a Boy Scout forum there is a discussion about boys and leaders wearing Kilts, there are always those who really don't know their history and claiming if don't have the blood you can't wear a Tartan, I usually ignore them, but the last poster ask if we are part a metrosexual thing. Why does it always go down that alley, maybe a feeble attempt at a joke.

MM

The funniest part of that thread is one guy saying he wants to wear Ledehosen with his Scout shirt and another saying he wants to dress up like a Tennessee mountain man.