What is a Metrosexual Male ?

The term originated in an article by Mark Simpson published on November 15, 1994, in The Independent . Simpson wrote:
Metrosexual man, the single young man with a high disposable income, living or working in the city (because that’s where all the best shops are), is perhaps the most promising consumer market of the decade. In the Eighties he was only to be found inside fashion magazines such as GQ, in television advertisements for Levi's jeans or in gay bars. In the Nineties, he’s everywhere and he’s going shopping.

Although this is obviusly a very convenient tag to place on anyone who appears just a little too particular about their appearance, it is too simplistic a statement to take as factual.

If you look back in history there are countless examples of the peacock male. As early as Greek and Roman times, the care males lavished upon themselves makes most modern men seem somewhat lacking in their grooming. Equally, Charles 1 and his followers were nothing short of 'Strutting Peacocks'. The Regency period gave us Beau Brummel, a man who positively festooned himself in velvet trimmed with lace. He in turn, was followed by Oscar Wilde, the Edwardian dandies and the Bloomsbury set. The 1920s ushered the dubious Duke of Windsor and the very clipped Noel Coward. So you see, the metrosexual male is no newcomer, just a retitled tag.

So what we are in fact talking about are several modern males - whether straight or gay.

The most quoted example of the metrosexual male is probaly David Beckham. Yes, he does 'Grooming', but lets not forget he also makes a huge amount of money for his efforts. Tattoos apart, I think we would all take a little more care if we earned what our David does.

On closer examination it would appear that there are several variations on a theme, although they all have one common link - Care in Appearance - that is something that far more men are doing on a day-to-day basis. There is no longer a right or wrong way to dress, skin care is accepted in the same way as shaving and haircare. So, whether you are a 'Modern Man', a 'Metrosexual, a 'Toned Hunk' or any other regular male - GO FOR IT !