Gay, or European?

Let’s face it: Europe is just more fashionable than America. Most of the world’s fashion capitals exist overseas, and many of the most prominent and innovative designers have centered their businesses in these cities. Basically any trend that hits America ran through Europe first, and women all around the world look to Europe to be their style inspiration. However, this standard is very different for men’s fashion. European men are always “dressed up” in neat and high quality clothing; casual t-shirts and baggy jeans are taboo. Nice clothing is the European standard, and as described in countless America movies and songs, women respond well to this metrosexual style (honestly, who doesn’t love David Beckham?). But as soon as this style is applied to an American man, suspicions about his sexual orientation arise; it seems as if it is impossible for a man to follow the European fashion trends without being questioned. As Legally Blonde: The Musical! insightfully asks in its song “There! Right There!”, is a metrosexual man gay, or simply European?

Why are women so encouraged to follow European fashions while men are automatically labeled as a stereotype? Why did this double standard arise in the first place? Have we Americans distanced ourselves so much from our Europeans ancestors that comparisons between our men are now impossible? Have we become so lazy that we assume that any man who puts any substantial amount of effort into his appearance must stray from the heterosexual norm, as well?

I fear the answer must be closest to the last suggestion. It has become so acceptable for people to walk around in casual attire that anyone who doesn’t is assumed to be entirely different from the norm. This is a horrible assumption to make, and it is sad that our culture has so discouraged men from caring about their appearance. It should be just as acceptable for men to follow the fashion trends as women, and people should definitely not discourage this change. Imagine the better impression America would give if the male stereotype were a suave, well-dressed man opposed to a lazy, beer-guzzling one in a dirty T-shirt. The difference could be astounding.