Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Liam S. on April 26, 2011 at 2:01pm

Hard to say for sure. Certainly there is an element of "everyone has an opinion" and wants to share it. You don't need a PhD to decide you don't like pleated pants. 

 

Discussions of fashion/grooming, etc. Are directly related to vanity (and sexuality, desirability, etc.). The vain do appreciate attention, so it could just be the nature of the beast (the beast being us, of course). 

 

We also have shown ourselves to be a consumer society. These discussion often center around purchase and consumer behavior, so it could be a reflection of our current society. 

 

It would be an interesting sociology study to really get into. 

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Permalink Reply by Dan P on April 26, 2011 at 2:16pm

I think a lot of it might have to do with the fact that many of us younger types are finally realizing that dressing like we did in college is a bad idea (tm).  Maybe it happened before finding the AoM site, or the AoM site is the cause.

 

Can only speak from my personal experience, but I found the site before realizing my wardrobe needed a lot of work -- actually found the site when trying to figure out how to shine my shoes because I was going to be on-site at a client's office..

 

So, since joining a few months ago, I've been hunting through the blog and the forums here to learn what I can about being casual, while still looking better than a college student (and not just following the current trends...).

 

I don't know about you Brett -- but I leave the knickers to my wife. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Brett McKay on April 26, 2011 at 2:45pm

It's funny you mention the sociology study. Morgan Spurlock is working on a documentary right now called "Mansome" where he takes a look at what he sees is a new interest and sometimes obsession with men's dressing and grooming. He's exploring the fascination with beards and beard clubs, the explosion in new men's grooming products, growing numbers of men suffering from body dysmorphia, etc.

I actually got interviewed for the film. It was interesting to see the approach they were taking.

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Permalink Reply by Liam S. on April 26, 2011 at 9:45pm

I think many of the ads are generated by keywords, rather than specific sponsors. But I see your point.

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Permalink Reply by x on April 26, 2011 at 9:18pm

It's because alot of the subject matter has a nominal basis in religious/spiritual and/or political identification. Someone dare say something like, "To me being a man is to follow Christ..." and out come the trolls.  Less chance of community backlash in the groups.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen on April 27, 2011 at 11:12am

To take the opposite view there — often when someone starts a more substantial discussion than what shoes are nice on the forum there are quickly calls to move it because of the politics/religion rule. You don't need to try too hard to tie most things to politics or religion.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on April 26, 2011 at 2:11pm

It's easier to focus on the externals.  Easier to change, or at least easier to "dress up" and be made to look more presentable.  You can look great on the outside, feel like (or be) crap on the inside, and many will simply judge the book by the cover...

 

Character, Philosophy, Theology, Values, Passions, Skills, etc - we all know these are the real substance of a Man.  Its more difficult to put what may be considered sub-par thoughts on the forum for the others to mull over and dissect.

 

Just some quick thoughts.....

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Permalink Reply by Will on April 26, 2011 at 2:14pm

I don't think they do.  They dominate the attention of those that are interested (either because they like fashion or because they think it's silly).  The rest of us are in the Groups or other forums, talking about other things.

And I think I would notice, because I usually look at that Recent Activity box in the middle to see if anything interesting is going on.  SInce I don't have that much interest in fashion, if it were always blocking out the things I do like, I would stop looking there.

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Permalink Reply by Brett McKay on April 26, 2011 at 2:21pm

I counted at one point yesterday and at one point today, and dressing/grooming discussions did indeed constitute one full half of the discussion on the main forum. Although I don't disagree about the diversity of discussions going on in the groups, which can be quite interesting and lively. My comments are limited to the main forum.

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Permalink Reply by Curt Bolding on April 26, 2011 at 2:22pm

Well, "clothes make the man," don't they.  Presentation is everything.  One need not necessarily be a natty dresser to be manly, but it often doesn't hurt.  While I agree that what's inside is far more important than one's clothes, one can only display what's inside himself on a limited basis every day.  Opportunities for manly comportment are finite in any given day.  But you have to wear your clothes ALL day (some of us, anyway).  Spending too much time on one's appearance and apparel might even be considered UNmanly.  It's a tightrope act, and what is manly for some is not manly for others.

 

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Permalink Reply by Curt Bolding on April 26, 2011 at 2:27pm

I will add that I spent 24 years wearing a uniform every day which was the height of manliness, and now that I'm out of it, it's nice to be able to play with the old wardrobe.  I'm currently trying to educate myself in certain aspects of sartorial excellence with which I have not previously been acquainted.

 

At the same time, I can wear ragged shorts, sandals, torn t-shirt and drag my knuckles along the ground with the best of them.

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Permalink Reply by Alexsander Mausheim on April 28, 2011 at 1:10pm

I am not sure if "best" is the correct word there, old boy.

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