Step aside, lotions and waxes. The beards and flannels are back in town.
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I’ll admit it. When I first saw this, I thought it was a joke. Not the popularity of beards or the idea that people are tired of the word “metrosexual”. But the idea that “lumberjack”, or the popular idea of what a lumberjack looks like, is now an aesthetic label? What?!
No, it’s apparently not a joke, or if it started out as one, it’s become a thing. There’s even Lumberjack Chic for weddings.
So, the metrosexual thing used to be careful grooming, careful use of products, “manscaping”, choosing clothes that according to someone else’s taste and style. Guys got ridiculed for going “girly” or being “feminized” (thank you, Brad Paisley) and the overall package relied upon the man having the time and resources for maintenance, but sales of grooming products soared, there was a new awareness that self-care wasn’t such a bad thing, and plenty of women – let’s face it, newly metrosexual dudes probably weren’t trying to date other dudes* – thought there was something pretty awesome about this new guy, who strangely wasn’t new at all…just look at pop culture and men’s grooming from the 50’s and 60’s.
But now things have completely changed, according to the tastemakers. Now it’s time for the lumbersexual, a visual 180 from the metrosexual, embracing a look that is, frankly, stereotypically manly. It should be a warm-and-comfortable look, but to follow the lumbersexual press, it requires careful grooming, careful use of hair/beard care products, “manscaping”, choosing clothes according to someone else’s taste and style. There’s going to be pushback for the reinforcement of the “strong, silent man” and the embracing of a look unattainable by many guys who lack the genetics or time to look properly lumbersexual, but sales of grooming products could soar, dudes might get a little more leeway in how they can look, and plenty of women – let’s face it, newly lumbersexual dudes probably aren’t trying to date other dudes* – think there was something pretty awesome about this new guy, who strangely wasn’t new at all…the lumbersexual has been in pop culture for decades.
Yes, you read that right.
The pendulum has swung from one ideal to another. The right way to look like a “real man” is a moving target.
I have a grand idea. How about the lumbermetrosexual?
Or better, how about we look and wear whatever we darn well please?
If we’re into smooth skin and styled hair, great. If we love our beards and boots, fine. If we change our minds next week, okay. But let’s embrace them because we want to, not because we are told by the media that this is what we have to do to get a mate, keep a mate, or prove ourselves.
And if any of you find a guy who actually calls himself lumbersexual, leave a comment.
*Yes, there were plenty of accusations that metrosexual guys were either closeted gay men or straight men acting and looking gay. Thing is, lumbersexual guys have an awful lot in common with another set of gay men known as bears.
Also on The Good Men Project:
Beards and Masculinity in History
Problems Only Guys Who Can’t Grow Beards Will Understand
It’s Hard Out Here for a Beard
Another ridiculous attempt to predict a trend that “will most likely replace the metrosexual”. I remember like 10 years ago when some magazines were claiming that the “technosexual” or “technomacho” would replace the metrosexual with their iPods, iPhones, and shit. Never saw that shit happen and the metrosexual (or simply well groomed men) is still the norm… same here. Lumbersexual? fucking ridiculous.
i like boobs…….
I agree with Amy, and you to JJ. Will folks not grasp the fact that it’s media pushing all these trends for men and women? People are living their lives according to what others criticize them for rather than the freedom to do what they want. And it’s really tight for men. Very narrow. Women of course have their own struggles with the whole imager thing but at least they may not have to feel such pressure to stay within such narrow bands of what a woman must be.
where did the cover photo come from? I think I know that man but I am not entirely sure.
It is a still from the video at the top of the story.
All this nonsense about attaching sexuality to clothing and grooming style stems from the rigidity of the man box and homophobia. It is a way for straight guys to expand their wardrobe choices, appropriate gay culture while still distinguishing themselves and stressing the fact that they are not gay. I don’t see straight women doing the same. Women wear whatever we want to without attaching sexuality to it or worrying whether people might think we are gay. Straight men, grow up already!!!
Why are you telling straight men to grow up? We didn’t create this crap, the media did! And that is exactly what it is, crap! I wear what I want and don’t give a flip what some magazine editor or media commentator says or thinks about it. I would bet most men think the same way I do. Don’t blame us for this garbage. Do you seriously think any man would run around and invent the name lumbersexual and try to make a style of it? This is a media creation. Pure and simple.
Amy has a problem with heterosexual people. Try not to take it personally.
Wow, maybe some (of the best) women wear whatever they want. But too many women I see do indeed worry if they wear something that is too baggy. So many women worry if they wear hiking boots not on a mountain people will think they are gay. Short skirts and revealing lace is all about sexuality.
I’m a bit of a metrosexual, straight, but no stranger to actually cutting down trees with a chainsaw and using an axe. What does that make me? I’m so confused.
How on earth can we distinguish a Lumbersexual man from an ironically Lumbering Hipster? 😉