Okay, by now I am sure you are familiar with the term “metrosexual.” The word is used to describe a guy who dresses better than some female models, waxes all unnecessary body hair, spends more in time in the spa than in the gym, and knows the difference between a manicure and a pedicure because he has experienced both. So, what is a “retrosexual?”
According to fashion experts he is a bit hairy and shows a little paunch. Well, perhaps that is an understatement. Editors at Details magazine define a “retrosexual” as a “manly man, an alpha male who may have the physique of a Shar-Pei dog (a little wrinkly and flabby, yet endearing), the manners of a 5-year-old (the kind who makes armpit farting noises at the dinner table) and the ability to pull you in for a hot, sweaty kiss and then go right out and fix your darn car.”
Think Will Ferrell in his BVD’s in “Talladega Nights,” or Jack Black in a too-tight pair of polyester pants in “Nacho Libre.” Included on the list of “real life retrosexuals” are Vince Vaughn (yes, after splitting from the ultimate metrosexual—Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston has gone in the other direction and fell for an actor with an “everyman” body).
Brandon Routh’s Superman is a total metrosexual. While Kid Rock is the epitome of retrosexual. Ironically, for a guy who could never be accused of excessive grooming he will soon be sharing a home (and a life) with a woman (Pamela Anderson) who coifs herself very well.
Some of Hollywood’s top male actors straddle the border between retrosexual and metrosexual, they include Owen Wilson, Mark Wahlberg and Colin Farrell.
So which do you prefer—a retrosexual’s puppy dog eyes and hanging paunch or a metrosexual’s perfectly chiseled abs and nails?