It seems that over the past 10 years, men have been increasingly incorporating fashion items that were considered women's fashion. Examples of this include neckchains, braceletts, two earings, and recently nail polish. More men are also utilizing salon services such as hair color and waxing to remove or thin out excess body hair. I started wearing nail polish on my toenails several years ago because I really like the like the look and have received alot of compelments from women. I usually wear cherry red because red is my favorite color and looks really great on my pale skin. My girlfriend also likes the look and sometimes wears the same color polish on her toes. Unfortunately, when a man wears nail polish, or two earings, people question his sexuality. In reality it has nothing to do with sexuality. Studies have shown that 90 percent of men that borrow from women's fashion are not gay. I am not saying anything negative about gay people, I am simply stating a fact. On the other hand, when a woman borrows from men's fashion, this is not a problem for society. There seems to be a double standard here. I beleive that women and men should be able to wear any item of fashion they desire without ridicule. I certainly could not wear my earings to work. If I did, I would not have a job. Men need more fashion freedom! Many of us are tired of the drab wardrobes that consist of many variations of gray, blue, white, and black. In the days of our forefathers (i.e. George Washington) men were very fashionable and wore items of makeup and clothing that really enhanced their appearance. Since then, men's fashion has really taken a step backwards. How can we change society's perception of what is acceptable for men? I would really appreciate hearing any thoughts on this subject from women and men. Jamie

<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITEIt seems that over the past 10 years, men have been increasingly <BRincorporating fashion items that were considered women's fashion. <BRExamples of this include neckchains, braceletts, two earings, and <BRrecently nail polish. More men are also utilizing salon services such <BRas hair color and waxing to remove or thin out excess body hair.</BLOCKQUOTE Your are sort of correct. Men wearing jewelry has had a resurgence the past 10  years .  However men actually wore jewelry centuries ago long before women were allowed such extravagances. <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITEI started wearing nail polish on my toenails several years ago because <BRI really like the like the look and have received alot of compelments <BRfrom women. I usually wear cherry red because red is my favorite color <BRand looks really great on my pale skin. My girlfriend also likes the <BRlook and sometimes wears the same color polish on her toes.</BLOCKQUOTE I  don't polish my nails.  But if I did I would wear Rio Red to match my Mustang <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITEUnfortunately, when a man wears nail polish, or two earings, people <BRquestion his sexuality. In reality it has nothing to do with sexuality. <BRStudies have shown that 90 percent of men that borrow from women's <BRfashion are not gay. I am not saying anything negative about gay people, I <BRam simply stating a fact. <POn the other hand, when a woman borrows from men's fashion, this is not a problem for society. There seems to be a double standard here</BLOCKQUOTE It became acceptable for women to wear traditionally men's clothing during World <BRWar II when most men went off to war and Rosie The Riveter when to work in the <BRfactories to build tanks, planes and battleships.  They found that wearing dresses <BRwasn't practical in factory jobs.  After World War II it took about 25 years for women in men's clothing to become acceptable and only as women started to take on more and more traditionally male jobs.  In the 1970's women gas station attendants and fast food workers still wore uniform skirts even though during that 1960s pants started to  become acceptable for women as casual wear.  McDonalds first replaced the uniform skirts with something similar to skorts.  Now both men and women fast food workers wear pants. This didn't start until the late late 1970s or early 1980s.Also during in the 1960s girls that wore jeans to school might of been considered'tough girls' or JDs.   It wasn't until about 1975 that girls and women teachers at my <BRhigh school were allowed to wear pants unless it was during inclement weather.  In <BRSan Diego County that wasn't often. <BR <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITEI beleive that women and men should be able to wear any item of fashion <BRthey desire without ridicule. I certainly could not wear my earings to <BRwork. If I did, I would not have a job.</BLOCKQUOTE <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITEI agree.  It is now a law in California that employers can not ban women from <BRwearing pant's suits if men are allowed or required to wear suits.</BLOCKQUOTE <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE</BLOCKQUOTE <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE <PMen need more fashion freedom! Many of us are tired of the drab <BRwardrobes that consist of many variations of gray, blue, white, and <BRblack. In the days of our forefathers (i.e. George Washington) men <BRwere very fashionable and wore items of makeup and clothing that <BRreally enhanced their appearance. Since then, men's fashion has really <BRtaken a step backwards. <PHow can we change society's perception of what is acceptable for men? <BRI would really appreciate hearing any thoughts on this subject from <BRwomen and men. <PJamie <P

Jamie wrote, It seems that over the past 10 years, men have been increasingly incorporating fashion items that were considered women's fashion. As one who went through hell as a boy & as an adolescent at the hands of jocks who had a fixation on masculinity, I rejoice in every one of these developments, even though very few of them accord with my own personal _style_. I don't think it the 'feminization' of men, but rather 'emancipation' of men: they don't need a 'macho' image to feel masculine.   Man have discovered they are (even more) man, even when wearing flagrances, having long hair, or even when wearing skirts... Jan

Man have discovered they are (even more) man, even when wearing flagrances.... Your typo made my day. Flagrance: one of those overpowering colognes that some men seem to drench themselves with just before getting on an elevator (lift) to the 45th. floor. Also much beloved by used car salesmen with sweaty palms. Cheers, and thanks,

Tom Parsons, wondering whether you can reach the fashion police via 911. The number is unlisted, of course. If you don't already know it, they don't want to talk to you. Cheers,

Tom Parsons, wondering whether you can reach the fashion police via 911. The number is unlisted, of course. If you don't already know it, they don't want to talk to you. Cheers,