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Gotta Have A Ruffneck:
From gangsta to chic...
The title may be a little deceiving. I’m not really on the lookout for a ruffneck or a thug (well…maybe). What I’m so eloquently alluding to with my title is my preference for the less polished brotha, and I’m also commenting on the unfortunate popularity of the style-conscious male – the metrosexual. My reason for my fondness for thuggish men will be addressed later on in this article.
From left to right: Puffy, Jay-Z, Kanye - the quintessential urban metrosexual.
First off, a metrosexual is a heterosexual male who openly embraces his awareness of fashion, beauty products and style. He’s usually well put together, trendy, and has impeccable taste in fashion. His personal style can rival any male model who struts his stuff on the runway.
Not only are these men aesthetically beautiful, they also give off an air of sophistication. They are, however, still interested in traditionally masculine things like sports, beer and women, but they are secure enough in their masculinity to tap into their feminine side. Taking an interest in culture, fine dining and entertaining does not scare them. Rather yet, it excites them.
The term metrosexual has been used over the past few years, but it really took off with the success of the program “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy.” This television program showed scruffy, sloppy guys being transformed into men that looked like the stepped out of the pages of GQ. Even though it was their girlfriends that nominated them for the makeover, each guy looked overjoyed with the transformation and swore to change their slovenly ways.
I remember calling a male colleague of mine a metrosexual and he looked at me like I called him the dirtiest word in the world. I told him that I wasn’t trying to make fun of him; I wanted to let him know that I thought that he dressed nicely. His response to my compliment was that he didn’t appreciate being labeled just because he’s fashion forward. I complied with his request, but teased him about his fashion knowledge at any given moment.
The “fashion obsessed man” phenomenon has even hit the macho world of hip-hop. Puffy, Jay-Z and Kanye West are not just known for the musical skills; their lavish outfits seen on magazine covers and on the red carpet also get people talking. Many hip-hop artists are very aware of their influence on society, so much so that they feel the need to enter the fashion world and be outfitted with their very own designer label. So it’s no surprise that hip-hop clothes would go from gangsta to chic. I guess you can say that the designer hip-hop label is an urban extension of the metrosexual man.
The most influential fashionable hip-hop artist has to be Kanye West. He has revolutionized the way young, urban males dress, and in turn, how most men dress. Guys are donning brightly coloured jackets, preppy shirts and oversized sunglasses. Instead of just wearing “something clean,” guys are gradually becoming more preoccupied with their appearance.
Yes y’all, for the most part this is a good thing. I’m sure that every girl would like her man to smell good and look even better. But my question is, “At what cost?” Do I really want my man to know the difference between Prada and Gucci? Do I really want my man to have more beauty products than me? Or do I really want my man to clock in more time at the beauty salon than me? Um…not really.
And no fellas, I ain’t slammin’ you for trying to look good for your damn self or for your girl; I’m talking about the guys that are taking it to the next level. The ones that have become obsessed with way they look.
One of the biggest turn-offs for me is a guy that waxes his eyebrows. If you have rather bushy eyebrows, by all means, trim them. But fellas please don’t wax them to the point that they look like two faint lines drawn over your eyes. That’s scary!
And I can’t forget the guys that primp and preen in front of the mirror longer than any sista that I know. What’s up with that? You look fine! Just walk away!
My issue with metrosexual men is that they come off as way too vain and place too much attention on what they are wearing. Having perfectly coiffed hair and hot clothes may be great for some girls, but I like my man a little rough around the edges. I want him to be confident, sure of himself, and take care of himself without looking overly done. Forget that three-piece suit; I’m more drawn to a guy who is rocking baggy jeans, a wife beater and some cornrows. I like a brotha that keeps it real. So that’s why I gotta have a ruffneck. ¤ Michelle