- The Sexy Escape
- The Barbarization of Contemporary Young, White Men
- The Curse of the Vera Wang Wedding Dress
- The Arrogant Aggression of Scruffy Jeans
- The Aggressive Sloth of Young, White Men
- Busy Chelsea, Married Lady
- More Thoughts on Chelsea's Wedding
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Fig. 1
Left: Model for a jeans ad
Right: Marc Mezvinsky
This must be the only civilization in the history of our planet where men define their masculinity by wearing scruffy clothes [Fig. 1]. It looks, at first, quick glance, as though men are abandoning style, but they're not.
There is a very particular look to the scruffy jeans ensemble: the un-tucked shirt; the "just so" length of the pants, which fold over sneakers and scrape the floor; those sneakers which are never dirty, but have a clean, almost brand new look; a clean sweater with the shirt hanging out from underneath; a loosely tied tie; a tote bag, or some "man" purse; some kind of twisted thread bracelet, or a copper or silver bangle, and a ring on one ear or some body piercing; disheveled, over-grown hair; and a day-old beard, although clean-shaven is also acceptable. The clothes look clean and washed, and if they have a few rips or tears, that is part of the style.
The slouch is the uniform posture from which these young men assess their surroundings, pretending to look nonthreatening, whereas they are observing closely to make the necessary moves to maintain their stakeout.
This look is not at all spontaneous and nonchalant. The men sporting this look, usually in their early to late twenties, appear to have spent some time putting it together, although with practice it probably doesn't take them too long.
I started observing their expressions and behaviors, and I began noticing a self-centered narcissism. For example, they are unlikely to cede the sidewalk to me, and expect me to walk a half a circle around them to avoid collision. Although these days, I just stop in my tracks and wait for them to make the adjustments. If they are with women, they walk very fast, oblivious to the extra fast pace the women have to maintain to keep up with them, although I think it's more that they're uncaring than not noticing.
Fig. 2
Buffalo Jeans Advertisement
Advertisements also expose the narcissism of these young men. In the jeans ad [Fig. 2], the young man looks arrogantly confident. His ensemble is baggy jeans and a long, disheveled shirt, un-tucked, and worn over some undershirt. He looks aggressive, and possessive. Who would want that kind of a guy around? But in this world of gender equality, there is still male swagger, and female demureness. In this "girl power" era of ours, young women actually seem to find this obnoxious-looking male attractive.
Fig. 3
Man in Bowler Hat
The man in the suit, bowler hat and cane [Fig. 3] is also aware of style and clothing. But he isn't using his style and his appearance as some kind of war against the world, but as a way to fit in the world, and to make it look civilized. At the same time, he is giving clear codes through this bold and well-defined attire that other men should aspire to a similar presence.
The twenty-first century young man, on the other hand, is as much concerned with aesthetics as he is with power and aggression.
Fig. 4
Marc Mezvinsky's expression vacillates between the insipid,
characterless look that is so common in young men these days,
but seems to change into the hard glint of a narcissist without warning.
Chelsea Clinton's husband fits this appearance perfectly. Marc Mezvinsky at times looks like the insipid male that is so common these days, but then flashes without warning a hard glint of narcissistic aggression [Fig. 4]. Despite his scruffy look in Fig. 1, Mezvinsky's pants are clean and trendy cargo pants, and his sweat shirt is a spotless white. And no sneakers for him as he pushes his way forward with a growl.
Fig. 5
Chelsea and Mark: A Match Made in Hell?
Mezvinsky regularly pulls out his bow tie and white shirt in public appearances. Like all narcissists, he knows he has to win over his audience, and his wife, since extreme behavior will alienate them, and he cannot allow anything to jolt his prestigious and affluent lifestyle. He also manages to put on a subdued expression [Fig. 5]. Chelsea Clinton often has a bewildered, and intimidated look in her eyes, albeit with a glint of her own narcissistic ambitions (it has been reported that she is waiting to have her first child in order to pursue a "career"). It must be hard to keep up with her husband.
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Posted By: Kidist P. Asrat
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