Don't say that word

One of my friends came up to me one day and said, you should write a column on metrosexuals. I thought to myself, "I am a fashion columnist, I think the Kinsey Institute should tackle that one." Obviously, I didn't know what a metrosexual was. Then he explained, you know the show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy?" If one of those guys was straight that would be a metrosexual. So, basically a metrosexual is a guy who takes time to look good. Then, I thought, "Why is that a such a big deal?" Before, I could fully think about this word, I was bombarded with articles on metrosexuals accompanied by beautiful pictures of David Beckham. Then I thought, "This is stupid."\nDavid Beckham is not only a soccer star, but he is also a football player, which translates into God in almost every continent on the globe. Of course he is going to look good. I have a problem with people making a big deal out of men wanting to look good. I also have a problem with the word metrosexual. It sounds so awkward and unappealing. \n"Sounds like someone who only has sex downtown or on a subway," said Bob Forest of Tempe, Ariz., in the article published in The Indianapolis Star. \nI agree -- the word makes it seem as if men have never been aware of their appearance, or worse, they are not supposed to be aware. According to the same article, students from Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., placed in No. 1 on their top-ten list of words that should be banned.\nIn my opinion, men are some of the slickest dressers and always have been. Look at Michael Jordan. He never missed a beat in his knee-length lavender coats with matching slacks and sweater. What about Pierce Brosnan with his fine self. He will make any woman take a metrosexual any day. Even the fashion industry is dominated by men who live to dress well and design some of the most stylish clothes on the runways. Men such as Ralph Lauren, Andre Leon Tally, Patrick McDonald, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Michael Kors and Valentino. The list can go on forever. \nThe point is that from the beginning of time, men have adorned themselves. In the animal kingdom, the male species are more embellished with color and frill. \nFor example, the peacock and the lion. I will admit, every culture has a gender code, but I think it was crossed when men started wearing earrings in both ears and Jean Paul Gaultier introduced the male skirt. \nI remember the first time I saw it. I was at a show, and all the ushers had to wear them. It was surprisingly masculine. Made out of worn-out looking leather, the skirt wrapped around and draped all the way to the ankles. It was worn with dark-colored pants underneath. The look gave off a warrior-like quality. It made me think of the hunters and gatherers that embody masculinity. Who would have thought a male skirt could do all that? \nI even began to think of the movie Velvet Underground and Plunkett and McClain -- those were men who really paid attention to their looks and even crossed gender lines with lipstick, nail polish and colorful clothes in purples, pinks and greens. The clothing wasn't just for costume, but each movie showed a true account of men in the glam scene and high society who lived to flamboyantly adorn themselves. In both instances, this excessive adornment was not considered out of the norm. They also accessorized these clothes with huge hats and tight pants that revealed all of their anatomy. \nSo, I agree with the students of Lake Superior State University. Metrosexual should be banned, never to be spoken again. Men have a right to be fashionable without being labeled. In fact, It makes me \nwonder, if society didn't confine men to the suit and tie, what would they choose to wear?