Mandals. Mankinis. Manbags. Manties. Mewlery (yes, mewlery!) Such are the recent neologisms coined by envelope-pushing parties in the fashion-industry to describe items that have been altered, re-imagined and re-purposed for a changing world wherein the parameters of gender are constantly tested. As a recent Wall Street Journal article explored, however, it’s a world not all are being dragged into willingly.
While some may think the lingo is playful, clever and modern, others – specifically men – are finding the terminology somewhat emasculating. “Manties is pretty high on the repellent meter,” GQ style advice columnist Glenn O’Brien told the Journal. More to the point, does the world really need new terms to qualify certain fashion items by their proposed wearers? Were the sandals President Obama sported last summer really that different from conventional sandals merely because he happens to be male? Are sandals inherently female?
What do you think? Do you endorse such terminology? Would any male you know espouse a garment called “manties” (let alone willingly wear them?)
