This weekend, while playing on Gilt, I succumbed to a moment of swooning:

The Allure of Women (Gilt, Amazon).  What could be a better coffee table book?

I’ll tell you what: The Allure of Men (Amazon).

After spending more than a year submerging myself in the murky waters of media, societal perceptions, and what “sexy” means, I’ve learned a lot about women: the way we think, why we choose, what we like…and how the media skews all of that to create a standard of beauty we’re supposed to adhere to.  I’ve also learned that the most beautiful images I’ve seen are of women reaching through those perceptions – whether they “fit the mold” or not – to show the camera something internal, something far more beautiful than the designer shoes they’re wearing.

What I haven’t noticed is men.

I mean, they’re there, I guess, but only as background pieces, as skinny, pouty furniture for women to hang on.  While I won’t get into the myriad of things that are wrong with that idea, I will say that I miss a time when men had their own masculine, virile sexuality – that testosterone-fueled power and poise a la Rock Hudson, or Michael Redgrave or, to go really oldschool, a young Henry VIII (who was quite a lady-killer in the bedroom – no pun intended).  The only modern-day hold-out appears to be Denzel Washington – even Sean Connery has succumbed to the media’s reassessment of him as a bit of a bumbling fool.

Nowadays, the only “masculine men” in the movies are based on historical fantasies or wearing superhero costumes.  The “real men,” the modern-day guys, are all non-threatening wusses, lazy beer-drinking “bros” and  scientific techy genius dudes with glasses and concave chests…and while I love a skinny geek as much as the next girl – I dated a few of them – I also love a guy with muscles.  A guy with a barrel chest.  A guy who can physically sweep you off your feet.  A guy that gets five o’clock shadow at five o’clock.

Enough ranting.  I previewed The Allure of Men, and it’s got all the goods: the fashiony modelly skinny guys, the thick-necked hairy-armed guys, whatever’s your pleasure.  So I think I’ll get both, and delve into the nostalgia of old-school sex appeal when today’s media just ain’t giving it to me.

What do you think of male stereotypes in the media?

To contact Jennifer Nicole, the author of this post, please send e-mails to jen@thedemoiselles.com or use our contact form.

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