First coined by (go figure) British social commentator Mark Simpson in a 1994 Independent article, metrosexual has grown — as new words tend to do — latching itself on to everything from personal grooming habits to pant lengths. Simpson (pictured left), if I may say so, is more of a dandy than a metro.
More on “dandy” later, perhaps. Today, I’ll not only share a set of definitions, but I’ll also explore a personal theory, that metrosexual is a new word, but not such a new phenomenon.
So, what makes a man a metrosexual? Canadian Web site Filly.ca offered up some great definitions in the article, “Is He a Metrosexual?” If you have some time, I highly recommend a read, since this article also spends some time defining colloquial gems SNAG, Renaissance Man, Primp, Martha Studly and Skexual. Love it. Returning to our metro question, the folks at Filly say:
The newly popular media and marketing buzzword seems to mean different things to different people, but in general, a metrosexual:
- Is a modern, usually single man in touch with himself and his feminine side
- Grooms and buffs his head and body, which he drapes in fashionable clothing both at work or before hitting an evening hotspot
- Has discretionary income to stay up to date with the latest hairstyles, the newest threads, and the right shaped shoes
- Confuses some guys when it comes to his sexuality
- Makes these same guys jealous of his success with the ladies - for many metros, to interact with women is to flirt
- Impresses the women who enjoy his company with the details that make the man.
Among them:
- His appreciation for literature, cinema, or other arts
- His flair for cooking
- His savoir faire in choosing the perfect wine and music
- His eye for interior design
- Is a city boy or, if living a commute away from downtown, is still urbane, if not rightly urban
- Enjoys reading men’s magazines…
What we’re dealing with here is a single, attractive, wealthy, well-groomed (if somewhat finicky about it) and smart young man. Like I said, the word is new, but the phenomenon may not be. Not only have metrosexuals always existed, but they’ve also always been attractive to most women. Rather than belabor the point that women love men who look (more or less) like women, I’ll give you a little collage of heartthrobs through the ages. This, I think, proves my point in more than a thousand would-be words. Have a look at the soft features on these gents:
-Nicole
