Meet The New Women Alert: Jewelry For Men (Debbie Schlussel Slams Brad Pitt Girly Men Alert)

Debbie Schlussel.com ^ | 11/30/05 | Debbie Schlussel

[goldstategop]

Uh-Oh! It's another episode in the continuing crisis of watering masculinity down.

Respected jewelers, like Tiffany & Co., and mass retailers, like Kay Jewelers, are trying to push a new trend--JEWELRY FOR MEN.

Yup, today's Wall Street Journal reports on a Brad Pitt effect. Influenced by girlie-men celebs like Pitt, singer Lenny Kravitz, and actor Orlando Bloom, the Journal claims that, "Once considered a fringe market for rockers, rappers, gay men, and gangsters, men's jewelry is inching toward the mainstream." Say it ain't so.

We're not just talking fancy watches, either. Tiffany's now carries "sporty" men's jewelry, including rings, pendants and bracelets. Bracelets on men? Eeuw. Nothing "sporty" about that.

The WSJ article is entitled "Men Say Bling it on." No, real men don't WEAR bling--or bracelets. Oh, and by the way, I guess the WSJ didn't get the memo: the word "bling" is out. Jewelry for men should be, too!

[Sally'sConcerns]

I think it all depends on the style of the jewelry and on the man that's wearing it.

Some men can pull off ear rings and some look like pansies. Same with bracelets, rings and necklaces. The author acts as if jewelry for men is a relatively new phenomena while history would dispute that. Older civilizations used jewelry for men as a manner of denoting status and wealth.

[ShadowDancer]

I'm always broke but even I don't wear a pinky ring. Hahahaha

[dakine]

See what it is called: "pawn ring", just over a 1/2 oz. of 21k gold...gets you out of some tough spots...I haven't worn it in 15 years...but nice to have...

[ShadowDancer]

[dakine]

Close...

[ShadowDancer]

Closer?

[dakine]

hahaha...Fag ring!

[ShadowDancer]

So that's it then, right? Hahahaha

[presidio9]

[GSlob]

"...a manly type of chain on a manly type of guy"
You mean a teeth, claws and bones necklace?

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

LOL! No. Just something that is bigger and chunkier than a women's necklace.

I love jewelry. It's a weakness I'm trying to get over.

[GSlob]

Well, teeth/claws/bones necklace WOULD BE both bigger and chunkier.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

LOL! Yes, you are right. I guess I should say that it must also be an attractive style. LOL!

[rdb3]

Jewelry that a man may wear makes him effeminate? And many here pile on in agreement?

I see that there is gross group-think over here on the Right as well.

[Per-Ling]

What type of reaction would you be satisfied with? One split down the middle or one in line with YOUR personal views?

Devil's Advocate

[Trust but Verify]

We dug our feet in regarding the earring thing, too. He's now 20 years old and no earring. He did get a tattoo against our wishes, but it's a dragonfly and it's covered unless he takes his shirt off.

My husband wears a gold chain around his neck. I bought it for him while on vacation in the Caribbean. I think it looks nice, but it looks like a lot of people here would disgree with me.

[oh8eleven]

[rdb3]

What type of reaction would you be satisfied with? One split down the middle or one in line with YOUR personal views?

That's just it. Why should have there been any reaction at all?

I guess my Gen-X worldview is at variance with many. Autonomy, live and let live. You know, liberty? I thought that that was what it's truly about.

[RebelBanker]

I can not object to the 'live and let live' philosophy, but would point out that people will react to others' appearance based on their own preconceived notions. That is human nature.

As I have said before, I will assume that a man (particularly an older man) wearing an earring is gay unless I see evidence to the contrary. Youngsters with lots of piercings in odd places look to me like rebels without a clue. "Let's disfigure ourselves and risk serious illness just to shock Mommy and Daddy."

As to other jewelry on men, I think we can all pretty much agree that there are distinctively masculine and feminine styles. I believe that most people will look at a man wearing feminine style jewelry and assume that he is wearing it to show that he is gay.

[kevkrom]

I wear a wedding ring (always), a watch (usually), and an ammolite ring (occasionally). No necklaces/chains or braclets for me, thanks.