Metrosexual

A metrosexual is a heterosexual male who spends a lot of time and money on his appearance and likes to shop (Harper Collins, 2011). The British press describes a metrosexual male as an urbane, successful, sophisticated, and well-groomed modern heterosexual man (Danford, 2004). Other descriptions of the typical metrosexual by others 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 (Simpson, 2002). The word metrosexual is made up from the two words heterosexual and metropolitan. The term itself was first used by British journalist Mark Simpson in an article he wrote for the newspaper The Independent in 1994 (Simpson,1994). It was not until the 21st century that more people began to use the term on a more day to day basis. Today, the word is used by many and has become a common term used to describe males who have an acute interest in their appearance and shopping. It has been reported that the market for men’s fashion, accessories, grooming products, and body/fitness goods and services is anticipated to continue to increase indefinitely, at an exponential rate (The Economist, 2008).
 * Metrosexual**
 * Metrosexual**

Examples of metrosexual males can be found in all aspects of society and the media. David Beckham is notably notorious for being the prime example of a metrosexual (Simpson, 2007).

The term metrosexuality is derived from the term metrosexual. The concept of metrosexuality was first introduced to the U.S. in June 2003 by the New York Times in an article describing the phenomenon of “well-coifed and moisturized straight men” (Danford, 2004). Metrosexuality was first thought of as another trend of popular culture (Shugart, 2008). As time went on however, many came to realize that it was anything but just another fleeting trend in society. Metrosexuality is demonstrated as a result of becoming a metrosexual. The effect of metrosexuality on society is quite significant. Studies suggests that masculinity concerns are central in debates about 'metrosexuality', with self-identified 'metrosexuals' invoking heterosexual prowess and self-respect on the one hand, and critics (e.g. self-identified 'real men') lamenting 'metrosexuality' for its perceived effeminacy and lack of authenticity on the other (Hall, Gorugh, 2011).
 * Metrosexual and Metrosexuality**

With the growing number of males of are becoming more and more self conscious about their appearance and the media’s changing portrayal of masculinity, the idea of masculinity began facing questioning and change. There was now a new image of masculinity in society and it was increasing steadily in pervasiveness and significance (Shugart, 2008). This new image of masculinity was being exemplified through ads and commercials that critics called commercial masculinity (Shugart, 2008). As a result of this new portrayal of masculinity, men reported to feeling anxiety, confusion, and frustration with regard to the metrosexual and (in)ability to measure up to media-promoted male body images (Pompper, 2010). Commercial masculinity was nothing like the normative masculinity people were used to seeing in ads and commercials. Traditional masculinity revolved around the avoidance of femininity, restricted emotions; sex disconnected from intimacy; and strength and aggression ( Levant, 1995). But with the introduction of metrosexuality, the metrosexual did not exemplify any of those traditional traits. Thus, because the idea traditional, or “normative” masculinity was being challenged by this new commercial masculinity, tensions arose (Shugart, 2008). As time went on and metrosexuality became more common and widespread, it functioned to assuage the tensions to normative masculinity posed by commercial masculinity; it was the rationalization of commercial masculinity (Shugary, 2008).
 * Metrosexuality, the Media, and Masculinity**

The idea of metrosexuality and portrayals of metrosexual males can be seen in almost every type of media today ranging from magazines, books, television, and film.
 * Metrosexuality and Media**

//Magazines// One of the most prominent type of media used are magazines. Some of the most popular magazines that target metrosexual males are GQ, Esquire, Details, and Men’s Vogue. These magazines have become a fundamental resource to metrosexual men because they contain the latest important style, fashion, and lifestyle advice.

GQ was originally known as Apparel Arts and launched in 1931. It was published under the name Apparel Arts till 1957 where it was printed as a fashion supplement for another very popular men’s fashion magazine, Esquire.

//Books// With the emergence and increase in metrosexual males, guidebooks for males who aspire to attain the metrosexual image have emerged. One of the most popular books is one written by Michael Flocker called The Metrosexual Guide to Style: A Handbook for the Modern Man. The guide gives readers a crash course on music, film, art, home decorating, dating, fitness and grooming (Reed Business Information, Inc, 2003). Popular male fashion magazines such as Esquire and Details have also launched similar style and fashion guidebooks for men called Esquire: The Handbook of Style: A Man’s Guide to Looking Good and Details Men’s Style Manual: The Ultimate Guide for Making Your Clothes Work for You, respectively.

//Television and Film// Portrayals of the typical metrosexual can also be found in television and film. Shows like USA Network’s //White Collar// whose main character Neal Caffrey, con-artist turned FBI consultant, regularly dresses in stylish suits and top hats to work at the FBI office. There is even a film called //The Metrosexual// which was released in 2007, whose main character is a metrosexual male. The movie portrays the character as someone who is very concerned with his image and style. The trailer for the movie shows the main character getting pedicures, waxing his eyebrows, and most importantly, shopping.

**References ** Collins, W. "Metrosexual" __.__ //Collins Unabridged English Dictionary//. Harper Collins. Retrieved from  http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metrosexual. April 9, 2011. Danford, N. (2004). ‘‘DaCapo Embraces Metrosexuality’’ //Publisher’s Weekly//, 107. Hall, M. & Gough, B. (2011). Magazine and reader constructions of 'metrosexuality' and masculinity: a membership categorisation analysis. //Journal of Gender Studies ////, 20, //67-86. Levant, R.F., & Kopecky, G. (1995). Masculinity Reconstructed: Changing the Rules of Manhood -- At Work, in Relationships and in Family Life. New York: Dutton MagsDirect. “The History of GQ Magazine”. (2006, March 12). Retrieved from <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">[] <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Pauli, L. (2003). ‘Metrosexuality: It’s All about ‘Me’. Retrieved from http://www.vibewire.net/articles.php?id_2212 <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Pompper, Donnalyn. (2010). “Masculinities, the Metrosexual, and Media Images: Across Dimensions of Age and Ethnicity”. //Sex Roles, 15,// 682-696. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Shugart, H. (2008). Managing Masculinities: The Metrosexual Moment. //<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Communication ////<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">& ////<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Critical/Cultural Studies //<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">, 21, 280-300. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Simpson, M. (1994, November 15). Here Come the Mirror Men. Retrieved from http://www.marksimpson.com/pages/journalism/mirror_men.html <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Simpson, M. (2002, July 22). Meet the Metrosexual’. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">[| http://www.salon.com/entertainment/feature/2002/07/22/metrosexual/print.html] <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Simpson, M. (2007, July 13). America – meet David Beckham. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">[] <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Reed Business Information, Inc. (2003). Publishers Weekly. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The Economist (2003, 3 July): Real men get waxed: a new male market emerges. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">[] <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">.