Thread: Can a guy wear earrings and still be MGTOW?

Originally Posted by opensource

I used to wear an earring in high school. Switched between a diamond stud and fat loop. I thought it looked good and cool.

My parents were against it saying it was gay.

Now that I'm older, I agree, it is gay. No offense to anyone and you should do what you want without what we say. But I cringe when I see older men (over 20) wearing earrings.

I'm much more utilitarian now. Every piece of clothing and jewelry for a man should have a function first, and then after that it can look good. Watch, cufflinks, suspenders, tie clip, belt, are ok. But you can't wear suspenders and a belt at the same time. The reason is that belt already provides the function of keeping your pants on, so the suspenders provide no function.

No rings (if you are unmarried), no earrings, no necklaces (dogtags are ok if you are in a war).

If you focus on function first, your designs and taste will be classic and timeless.

For example, brogue dress shoes have a functional origin (which is to drain water from shoes), so brogues will stay classic and timeless forever. If you take that same design and try to force fit it into something else (like a jacket), it may be popular for a season, but because there is no functional origin, it will look silly on a man when it doesn't become popular.

Back in the day, I found bling (gold) very useful for trapping and fucking barflies.

It used to be a big deal back in the 70's and 80's if a man had pierced ears but I doubt anyone cares anymore unless he wears feminine style ones and even then no one would dare say anything!

Originally Posted by opensource

I used to wear an earring in high school. Switched between a diamond stud and fat loop. I thought it looked good and cool.

My parents were against it saying it was gay.

Now that I'm older, I agree, it is gay. No offense to anyone and you should do what you want without what we say. But I cringe when I see older men (over 20) wearing earrings.

I'm much more utilitarian now. Every piece of clothing and jewelry for a man should have a function first, and then after that it can look good. Watch, cufflinks, suspenders, tie clip, belt, are ok. But you can't wear suspenders and a belt at the same time. The reason is that belt already provides the function of keeping your pants on, so the suspenders provide no function.

No rings (if you are unmarried), no earrings, no necklaces (dogtags are ok if you are in a war).

If you focus on function first, your designs and taste will be classic and timeless.

For example, brogue dress shoes have a functional origin (which is to drain water from shoes), so brogues will stay classic and timeless forever. If you take that same design and try to force fit it into something else (like a jacket), it may be popular for a season, but because there is no functional origin, it will look silly on a man when it doesn't become popular.

I kinda take it to the extreme and see all efforts at trying to be visually unique as annoying. Tattoos, bracelets (on men...WTF?), necklaces, earrings, fashionable clothing, "special" haircuts or hair colors, etc, etc. Everybody wants to be unique and "cool" and most of the time it's via something hollow like visual appearance. People have grown up being taught how much of a special snowflake they are and they have to display it in some way hoping to get some attention. And that's what a lot of it boils down to -- attention. Like that insurance commercial where the guy is talking about kids needing to be posting on social media so they don't feel invisible.

Originally Posted by Edwardhaskell

I kinda take it to the extreme and see all efforts at trying to be visually unique as annoying. Tattoos, bracelets (on men...WTF?), necklaces, earrings, fashionable clothing, "special" haircuts or hair colors, etc, etc. Everybody wants to be unique and "cool" and most of the time it's via something hollow like visual appearance. People have grown up being taught how much of a special snowflake they are and they have to display it in some way hoping to get some attention. And that's what a lot of it boils down to -- attention. Like that insurance commercial where the guy is talking about kids needing to be posting on social media so they don't feel invisible.

definitely no bracelets unless it tells time or is from the world series of poker and you are entering into the world series of poker tournament and have to wear it for some type of benefit.

Originally Posted by opensource

I used to wear an earring in high school. Switched between a diamond stud and fat loop. I thought it looked good and cool.

My parents were against it saying it was gay.

Now that I'm older, I agree, it is gay. No offense to anyone and you should do what you want without what we say. But I cringe when I see older men (over 20) wearing earrings.

I'm much more utilitarian now. Every piece of clothing and jewelry for a man should have a function first, and then after that it can look good. Watch, cufflinks, suspenders, tie clip, belt, are ok. But you can't wear suspenders and a belt at the same time. The reason is that belt already provides the function of keeping your pants on, so the suspenders provide no function.

No rings (if you are unmarried), no earrings, no necklaces (dogtags are ok if you are in a war).

If you focus on function first, your designs and taste will be classic and timeless.

For example, brogue dress shoes have a functional origin (which is to drain water from shoes), so brogues will stay classic and timeless forever. If you take that same design and try to force fit it into something else (like a jacket), it may be popular for a season, but because there is no functional origin, it will look silly on a man when it doesn't become popular.

I can respect this view. That's similar to what my view was for a long time and still is to a certain point.

Suspenders? I recall them being considered really nerdy dating back to when I was a kid. Maybe that's changed or it depends on where one lives.

One of my goals is never to have to wear a suit. Not really a fan of dressing up.

I suppose if everyone conformed to the same dress code, that would be boring.

I agree re focusing on function first. I'm actually a very plain dresser, perhaps to a fault. Never really got into fashion trends.

Originally Posted by Edwardhaskell

I kinda take it to the extreme and see all efforts at trying to be visually unique as annoying. Tattoos, bracelets (on men...WTF?), necklaces, earrings, fashionable clothing, "special" haircuts or hair colors, etc, etc. Everybody wants to be unique and "cool" and most of the time it's via something hollow like visual appearance. People have grown up being taught how much of a special snowflake they are and they have to display it in some way hoping to get some attention. And that's what a lot of it boils down to -- attention. Like that insurance commercial where the guy is talking about kids needing to be posting on social media so they don't feel invisible.

I've always had the same opinion. I would never participate in the latest fad when I was in school. Never really wore any kind of jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, etc). Always kept the same old boring haircut, even when my mom tried to get me to try something different. Looking back, I might have went to far with it. I can see both ways. Not sure where the earring thing comes from. I was never interested in my youth and then grew interested in them in my 30s. Maybe it's a reaction to years of conforming to expecations at home and dress codes at different jobs.

It's why it's called MGTOW or GYOW. Do what your want. Stop seeking approval or permission from others.