Banner
 
 
 
 
Language
 
 
 
last
update

February 24, 2007

Totals

Visits
Pages

Today

Visits
Pages

Online

 
No more 'uniformed, naive' attitudes on men's leg fashion

Dailypressl - December 21 2003
By Tony Gabriele

Continuing this column's proud tradition of public service, which dates back to when I started writing this sentence, Get Serious! now boldly tackles America's most divisive issue, namely: Leg hair.

But first we need to talk more about men in skirts.

Last month I wrote about an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, which was all about how men in past ages had worn skirts instead of pants - you know, robes, tunics, kilts - and how some modern men were daring to do the same.

I also discussed my own feeling about skirt-wearing. Basically my feeling is that, being the open-minded, adventurous guy I am, I would definitely consider wearing a skirt someday. Provided a few million other men, specifically including Bill Parcells and Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, do it first.

Well. I got more response to this column than almost anything I've written in years. I received numerous e-mails, all of them from men saying that they wear skirts and like them fine, thank you very much. So even though I haven't seen any in the men's wear department at Sears yet, clearly skirts are girding some male loins out there.

Most of the writers applauded my tackling the subject, although one kilt-clad gentleman called my hesitancy about skirt-wearing "subjective, uninformed and naive." (Which I think would be an excellent slogan for this column.)

The e-mail that really caught my eye, though, was one from Troy Iuliucci of Peekskill, N.Y. While he said he liked the column, Mr. Iuliucci took issue with my closing sentence, in which I wrote: "But if anyone brings up the subject of shaving legs, I'm out of there."

"New things need to be considered before they are rejected," he wrote. "As far as shaving of legs, you might want to try it before you knock it. I have shaven my legs for years, and I would not go back."

This is how one thing leads to another: Three years ago, I wrote a couple of columns about women and leg shaving. Hearing some women grouse about the pain and bother of applying a razor (or worse) to their legs, I wondered whether the next feminist crusade might be leg-hair liberation. And, of the many women who wrote or called to comment, a majority said that they'd like the option of pitching their Lady Shicks and sashaying about with down-covered calves.

Well, what's shaving gel for the goose is Barbasol for the gander, so in the interest of equality I ought to consider a range of opinions on male leg hair, too. After all, guys like bicycle racers and competitive swimmers shave their legs, for athletic reasons. I got in touch with Iuliucci and asked if he wanted to make the case for the shaved male shin, and he was glad to do so.

Iuliucci told me over the phone that he first shaved his legs five or six years ago. "It's so much more comfortable, and my legs feel better," he said.

Being a guy with especially hairy legs, he said, "I wanted less hair, and I found that having no hair felt even better. It makes me feel more civilized and less ape-like."

Iuliucci said he's gotten only positive comments about his fashion and grooming choices, although it's possible that some people might be making remarks behind his back.

"It's just a matter of people not being so judgmental," he said. "It shouldn't even be an issue."

And, answering the most important question of all, he said that his wife is "absolutely OK with" him shaving his legs. Though he did add that she is not entirely comfortable yet with the skirt.

He also referred me to Internet sites - of course there are Internet sites about this - with discussion groups for male skirt wearers, leg shavers and even nylon hose-wearers. (Didn't Joe Namath do that once?) One site included several tips for beginning skirt-wearers, such as "Wear what you consider a masculine skirt" ("Most would agree that it's darker and solid in color"), and "Practice driving your skirt around the house before you venture out."

Especially important, I would say, are the last two suggestions: "Avoid groups of teenaged boys" and "Don't go to the local redneck bar."

But there are skirts, and then there are skirts. There is the good old kilt, endorsed by generations of manly, hairy-legged Scotsmen. More than one woman has told me she likes the look of a man in a kilt, and he doesn't even have to be Sean Connery. That's a comparatively conservative, acceptable option, for those of you uninterested in the new spring fashions.

There you have it, men - more new, exciting leg appearance options than you ever asked for! So I will keep trying to have an open mind about these subjects.

But if anyone brings up the subject of a bikini wax, I'm out of there.

Tony Gabriele can be reached at 247-4786 or by e-mail at [email protected].


All the content marks are marks registered by the respective owners.


Societ�