Like most men when I first heard the term “metrosexual” I thought to myself, “huh”? While the term was first coined in an article by Mark Simpson called Here Comes the Mirror Men in 1994, I didn’t become aware of the label until I began watching Bravo TV’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy in 2003. Having always been referred to as a “pretty boy” or a “dandy” – a term which is defined by Webster as “a man who is excessively concerned about his clothes and appearance” - and even having had my sexuality questioned even though I had always dated women, I was delighted that I finally had an specific identify – I was a metrosexual and out of the preverbal closet.
For the last time, being a metrosexual says nothing about ones sexuality. Rather, being metrosexual says quite a bit about personal style and grooming habits. If you’re unsure, there are ways to confirm you are metrosexual. If you read GQ rather than Sports Illustrated, you’re probably metrosexual. If you have your eyebrows trimmed when getting your hair cut, you’re probably metrosexual. If you go tanning during the winter, you’re probably metrosexual. If your nails are manicured, you use moisturizer daily, love shopping for clothes and shoes (and are you’re not gay), you’re definitely a metrosexual and that’s ok.
Possibly one of the most famous examples of a metrosexual was Richard Gere’s character, Julian Kaye, in the 1980 film, American Gigolo. Wearing designer everything, Julian was the role model for many young men who were obsessed with looking like the high priced male prostitute. With clean and simple lines, Julian also had the preeminent bachelor pad for the time. Then there was his car, a Mercedes-Benz R107 convertible in jet black, which added to his affluence while complementing his style. But more than what he possessed materially, what came across was is attention to detail in everything from color coordinating his wardrobe to flawlessly grooming his hair. For quite a few would-be metrosexuals in my age bracket, 40 to 45, the film was validation that caring about how you look didn’t make you a “sissy”. Besides the whole prostitution thing, Julian Kaye helped me to define who I am and inspired me to continue with my, what would be known as, metrosexual ways with confidence.
How do I know I am metrosexual? My closet is full of designer wear – Hugo Boss, Versace, Calvin Klein – arranged by color and category on cherry wood hangers while my shoes are aligned on a shoe rack with cedar shoe trees in each pair. I take great pride in my appearance, both in the way I dress as well as keeping nicely groomed including manicures, pedicures, waxing, moisturizing and a haircut every two weeks without fail. I live in the city – Seattle – in a luxury apartment in which I did the interior design. I love shopping new clothes, dining in fine restaurants, attending cultural events and I am a journalist who specializes in fashion. Even my Yahoo ID screams metrosexual: fashionableman2002; as does my cat’s name: Cosmopolitan – Cosmo for short. The only thing that is not metrosexual about me anymore is, as defined by the Simpson article, I’m not single – I’m recently married. My wife not only embraces my metrosexuality, she takes great pride that I am since she knows I will be the best dressed man at any function we attend.
For those of you who fear being mistaken for gay, it’s probably best if you stay in the closet for now. It takes more self-confidence to be openly metrosexual than to it does to wear a sports jersey and baseball cap. After all, the term applies heterosexual men who take extra pride in their appearance and whose lifestyles are associated with stereotypically gay men. One must be secure with who he is to be metrosexual. So the question is: are you man enough to be a metrosexual?
For the last time, being a metrosexual says nothing about ones sexuality. Rather, being metrosexual says quite a bit about personal style and grooming habits. If you’re unsure, there are ways to confirm you are metrosexual. If you read GQ rather than Sports Illustrated, you’re probably metrosexual. If you have your eyebrows trimmed when getting your hair cut, you’re probably metrosexual. If you go tanning during the winter, you’re probably metrosexual. If your nails are manicured, you use moisturizer daily, love shopping for clothes and shoes (and are you’re not gay), you’re definitely a metrosexual and that’s ok.
Possibly one of the most famous examples of a metrosexual was Richard Gere’s character, Julian Kaye, in the 1980 film, American Gigolo. Wearing designer everything, Julian was the role model for many young men who were obsessed with looking like the high priced male prostitute. With clean and simple lines, Julian also had the preeminent bachelor pad for the time. Then there was his car, a Mercedes-Benz R107 convertible in jet black, which added to his affluence while complementing his style. But more than what he possessed materially, what came across was is attention to detail in everything from color coordinating his wardrobe to flawlessly grooming his hair. For quite a few would-be metrosexuals in my age bracket, 40 to 45, the film was validation that caring about how you look didn’t make you a “sissy”. Besides the whole prostitution thing, Julian Kaye helped me to define who I am and inspired me to continue with my, what would be known as, metrosexual ways with confidence.
How do I know I am metrosexual? My closet is full of designer wear – Hugo Boss, Versace, Calvin Klein – arranged by color and category on cherry wood hangers while my shoes are aligned on a shoe rack with cedar shoe trees in each pair. I take great pride in my appearance, both in the way I dress as well as keeping nicely groomed including manicures, pedicures, waxing, moisturizing and a haircut every two weeks without fail. I live in the city – Seattle – in a luxury apartment in which I did the interior design. I love shopping new clothes, dining in fine restaurants, attending cultural events and I am a journalist who specializes in fashion. Even my Yahoo ID screams metrosexual: fashionableman2002; as does my cat’s name: Cosmopolitan – Cosmo for short. The only thing that is not metrosexual about me anymore is, as defined by the Simpson article, I’m not single – I’m recently married. My wife not only embraces my metrosexuality, she takes great pride that I am since she knows I will be the best dressed man at any function we attend.
For those of you who fear being mistaken for gay, it’s probably best if you stay in the closet for now. It takes more self-confidence to be openly metrosexual than to it does to wear a sports jersey and baseball cap. After all, the term applies heterosexual men who take extra pride in their appearance and whose lifestyles are associated with stereotypically gay men. One must be secure with who he is to be metrosexual. So the question is: are you man enough to be a metrosexual?
As appeared in Urban Metro Magazine Fall 2008
Tony Engelhart
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