Sunday, February 15, 2009

Loren: You're a dandy (and thats fine by me)

Look, I know it has probably come across that Tilly and I (well, Tilly hasn't said much about it yet) do not particularly admire Singapore fashion. Of course, I know that it has gotten better as compared to before *grimace*, but other than badly copying the styles that they see in the rag magazines - I'm talking about your Lindsay Lohans, Mischa Bartons, Nicole Richie types - the general populace of Singapore have yet to find their own individualistic style. And stop reaching for those knee high gladiator sandals, braided chains in hair, footless latex tights when they want to be fashionable. Alternatively, don't call it being fashionable. 
Call it being trendfollowerable.
Or being Lackaoriginalitian.

I could go on and on about what the girls are wearing, and how different it is in Melbourne, but that was be too Singaporean of me. *laughs* At least I understand what the girls are trying to achieve, its the boys that are a complete mystery to me. We have our version of ghetto black men in the malays (a lot of teenage Chris Tuckers, no Taye Diggs), quite a lot of baggy trousers-backwards-cap-chains-around-neck-skateboard-toting boys, and of course, our version of a gangster. Ah Beng. Harmless enough to be kept out of a zoo, but he still spits. Over gelled hair, flashy outfits, fake branded goods and the most essential accessory, a sneery attitude. Don't worry, they are more funny than intimidating. Everyone else falls into the, "I couldn't care less if my shoes match my belt" category. 

I wager that it must be difficult, for a boy, to be stylish in Singapore. If you know the difference between plaid and tartan, know how to refuse to wear socks with slippers, and not to carry an Eastpak backpack over a three piece suit....people end to think of you as gay. Yes, we're still in those days. Sometimes I think Singaporean men deliberately dress badly to let people know that they are straight. Very, very straight. "Me man. Me wear like every other man. OOOGAH!" But that's just baseless speculation on my part.

Here, in Melbourne, we've embraced the term 'metrosexual', where a guy can know the difference between Anna Wintour and Carine Riotfeld, does his facial regime religiously, and are surprisingly better shopping companions to girls than...well, girls. And still have girls swoon over his unquestionable masculinity. A metrosexual guy as defined by the Urban Dictionary is -

1. Modern enlightened, sort of rennasance man. Secure and confident, capable and cool, typically well educated and stylish. Heterosexual with a twist, not gay by any means, but he probally has a few gay friends, and can easily be mistaken for gay by rednecks and jock types. The only straight guy in a fabric store or antique shop who is not being dragged there by a woman.
2. An urban straight male ranging in age from late teens to mid 30's who is: good looking, stylish, fashionable, trendy, cultured, & well groomed. A metro sexual is very conscious about his image and looks in public. A metro sexual is often associated with getting manicures, facials, & massages, as well as using "products" and shopping at nice clothing stores. However, metro sexuals don't necessarily engage in each of these activities.

Its wonderful to be in a society where its normal for a man to stand before a row of hair products, well-researched and carefully make their choices, rather than just grabbing the one that says "USE ME, I AM NEW. I WORK.". And no one ribs him and jeers, "You gay ah? Must be gaaaaaayyy."

But let the pictures speak for themselves. 




(streetpeeper.com)
And this, is still considered a poor selection as opposed to what you can actually see on the streets, everyday. Look, I am not saying that Melbourne men wear Gareth Pugh or Rick Owens or Lanvin, I'm just saying that in terms of individual style, Melbourne men have the guts and the character to let it be shown in their dress sense. Of course, it helps to live in such a laid back society, where people tend to grin more at oddities than gasp.  Hmm, maybe thats all Singapore needs to become fashionable.

Valium.

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