[Editor's Note: AverageNation™ Week on AverageBro.com begins with The Uppity Negro, who wonders if skinny jeans are a bad thing.]
Last week was my birthday and since I couldn’t make my trip to Washington, D.C. for Howard’s Homecoming as I had planned (because I just got my refund check) I settled for heading out to see a homeboy in Birmingham. Given that this was my birthday week I had done a bit of mall shopping and as a result I had bought some fitted tees from Abercrombie and Fitch and some fitted jeans at this spot in Little Five Points here in Atlanta. When I got out the car, my friend busted out laughing when he saw what I had on.
Don’t get me twisted. He knows how to dress. His style is the typical sophisticated urban wear, but still most of his clothes are loose fitting. His close fit—that is to say you’d NEVER see him wearing the XXXL type stuff and wearing jeans sagging down to his knees. Nonetheless he busted out laughing and simply said “I guess I aint been to Atlanta lately.”
Now any black male knows what that comment really meant.
No, my friend wasn’t questioning my sexuality, but that was an under girding sentiment of the statement.
Here in Atlanta, and other parts of the northern Atlantic seaboard, what I had on wouldn’t even go part and parcel with my sexuality because we’ve come that far with fashion in the black community. Since the late 80s and the 1990s blacks have gone through various stages of clothes that fit versus clothes that were over sized and didn’t fit. In the 2000s, and actually more recently since I’ve graduated from high school, I’ve noticed a shift at least among black males who classify as the “pretty boys” to this metrosexual style. Metrosexual is generally associated with clothes that actually fit your measurements.
I’m all for it. AverageBro and some of the AverageCommunity are aware of how I really was digging Andre 3000’s Benjamin Bixby clothing line, and I’ve been known to rock a bowtie often enough. I rather enjoy the fall because it gives me an excuse to rock the sweater/shirt and tie combos.
Don’t get me wrong, I can be biased as well when it comes to appearance. People need to look in the mirror when they put on clothes and see if certain outfits accent their figures—and that goes for males as well. And no this is not some underhanded dig at “thick chicks” or “big boys” but it goes for everyone. We all have different shapes. And even for me as a black male **clears throat* I discovered that just because I figured I was a certain jean size in Sean Jean or Girbaud that that size didn’t always transfer into jeans I bought at Abercrombie and Fitch or American Eagle.
Howsoever….
…the question remains, are black males allowed to wear fitted or skinny jeans without their sexuality being in question?
I guess you could extend that question to all ideas of black male metrosexuals as far as having to defend their sexuality. As I see it, it’s partially the fault of some black females—and some from the older generation as well. They (some black females and elders) said that they didn’t like us (young black males) always wearing the baggy white tees and pants “hangin’ off ya ass.” But, when the fashions adapt, they question your sexuality.
I remember the first time I wore a pair of slim fitting slacks to church back in 2005. My parents looked at me like I had lost my mind and suggested that I go back and change clothes and started praying for me out loud. I walked out of the door. It took the consoling of some female friends who kinda gave me the look up and down and said I actually looked nice. Suffice it to say, there are some who are attracted to the look—then there are those who aren’t.
I was in Jacksonville this summer and I got looks just from wearing fitted jeans (not skinny jeans because there is a difference). I thought it was interesting because of what I heard from the tween girls I had been going to see twice a week at a summer camp. By the end of the summer they felt comfortable enough to tell me they thought I was “fruity” (their words not mine) because of how I dressed, but then when I asked them about the clothes that the teen summer hit sensation New Boyz wore in the music video “You A Jerk” they had no real answer.
Or even Lil’ Wayne for that matter. (nsfw)
The way I see it, it boils down to our ideas of masculinity in this country. Still in the microcosm of the black community we have broad ideas of what masculinity is and how it should manifest itself. Never mind the fact that I’m in grad school working on a dual masters degree with the hope and intent of obtaining another one year masters degree before going on to Ph.D. work, or never mind the fact that I have my own car, got my own hustle more or less am independent enough from my parents that I don’t have to call every two weeks for an allowance like I used to. Never mind the fact that I do well in school. No. For America, my masculinity is heavily enraptured in my appearance.
Aside from homophobia that runs rampant in our community why are black males having to catch flack on this type of clothing? I mean there’s a young rapper out there who has titled song “Skinny Jeans Are Gay” and maybe this is where my uppity Negro status kicks in full time, but—ARE YOU SERIOUS?!!?!? Out of all the things to be worried about, you’re worried about someone who took their own money and decided to buy their own clothes. I guess it would be different if every black male you saw with skinny or fitted jeans on was a self-professed homosexual—but that’s not the case.
That being said…
Question: Do you think it’s okay for black males to rock the fitted jeans or the skinny jeans (yes there is a difference between the two)? Do issues of sexuality come to your mind when you see a black male wearing the skinny jeans or the fitted jeans—do you do the same when you see a young white skateboarder wearing the skinny jeans? If so, what’s the difference?
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{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
I don't think skinny jeans are cool…on any dudes period. It's not a sexuality thing either. I just can't dig them. Style is one thing, but in my dress I require a certain amount of functionality. I don't wear slippery earls…all of my shoes have to be able to provide traction. I like natural fibers that breathe and (re:skinny jeans)…I need to feel like I can put things in my pockets and if need be climb/jump a fence. Even when baggy was in I had to wear a belt because pants falling off is not the move. My biggest issue style wise with the skinny jeans is this: once 5 dudes have worn the same thing in one room it's no longer cool. EX: Cameron does the pink thing…you go out 20 dudes are wearing pink…not cool anymore. Dude was doing him…just like Pharrell (who trace this back to) was doing him. In the end I feel like dudes are buying another persons style.
@Amadeo, I like this, i qualify this comment and thanks for your input because i really did gain something yet i still feel here (where i live) everyone is just so unique that despite them wearing clothes with similar concepts they all have diff personalities that influence how they might wear the clothes. what i'm trying to say is they might have the same shirt but wear it different and for me it's inspiration and it neva get old…but to be honest i don't see alot of guys wearing the same stuff. WHAT I DO SEE ALOT OF GUYS WEARING R THOSE PLAYED OUT PLAID SHIRTS but that's another story.
I don't see why Black men can't wear skinny jeans. Black men are the only men on this planet that are so worried about someone seeing them as homosexual, but yet continue to walk around with their asses hanging out because to them it is more cool to sag their jeans than to look decent.
One of my many pet peeves is the way Black men dress. I could walk outside and find at least 10 guys that are dressed alike. Black men, what's up with the du-rags, stocking caps, and rolled up skully hats? It looks stupid. Stop it.
@Erin, Bravo…
Agreed. I don't get why this is gay but sagging isn't. Damn shame really.
Do you, I would just prefer people in general to stop wearing stuff that looks bad on THEM.
Folk can wear what they want but personally I think that anything can be overdone! I wonder just the opposite, why are bagging jeans so stigmatized yet skinny jeans aren't! Some skinny jeans on some folks are just as tight as some baggy pants are too loose on other people! I "do" think that sagging get taken too far with some folks but what with the skinning jeans that have folks looking sometimes like elfs or medieval knights. I don't get it. Sometimes both the looks look bogus!
Black men are not built like most other men for the most part, and skinny jeans do not fit a truly masculine body. In order for a male to squeeze into a pair of skinny jeans is to have a skinny jean physique (slim legs, calves, small flat butt and not much junk in the front. Most black men I know do not have that type of body. Me personally, I cant wear tight pants without having obvious outlines of my junk visible (not what I want). Also, black men tend to have more junk in the trunk as well, meaning that skinny jeans are going to not fit at all in the back.
To me, the skinny jeans thing is nothing but a fad. It does not have a classic look, and any adult male wearing them looks silly (and will be thought of as being either effeminate or gay). Skinny jeans are a fad which was started by mostly white females. Why a black male would want to follow such a fad is beyond my understanding.
And for the record, I do not wear anything sagging or too loose, but I also dont wear anything too tight or faddish. Whats wrong with clothes that FIT?
Interesting POV. You might have something here.
@ the end of the day who cares? your choice… personally i wouldn't do it, nor like the fashion of it, but to each its own…
I agree with Amadeo.. the question that always pops into my head is "how do you breathe.. down there?" It is well known that females wearing ridiculously tight clothing may result in.. medical issues such as yeast infections.. now I know a man probably won't get a y.i… but how about other issues?! Is it healthy to be stuffed in pants like that!? That is my thought process.. how do you function in the skinny jeans?
I just think they look feminine.. not necessarily homosexual.. but then they add all these bright colors that take it to a whole other feminine level.. and that is probably why people say they are gay because the stereotypical gay man is very effeminate..
The other issue is the fad thing, I keep wondering how many men really like skinny jeans (and other fads) or just wear them because people who are identified as having "swag" or are cool wear them!? But following will always be a factor in some peoples lives in some form or fashion
@m. lauren,
So, how does one reconcile women wearing pants? Initially they said it was too masculine for women to wear them, now no one would dare say that unless they're a part of some religious denomination that's very traditional.
I think its sad that we've come to this that we'd declare it as feminine.
Lil' Wayne wears them and no one really questions it. I think it's a sad state of affairs.
I personally do not prefer my dude in skinny jeans. I don't think it's gay, I just don't like it. Like @m.lauren said, "I just think they look feminine….not homosexual." To each its own but I like dudes in fitted and not skinny.
Maybe it's because I'm a fashion designer, but I like skinny jeans on guys. It's still taboo (obviously, or this article wouldn't have been written) and when I see a guy wearing them, I think of him as sort of bad-ass for not caring about the norms. Especially the black America norms. My issue is with older people who hate this style. My dad complains about the look frequently, calling it gay. But I've seen pictures and movies from the 1970s and well…it was a VERY gay time. Yellow, studded jumpsuits for men??? WTF!!! The point is that fashion changes along with societal norms. Back in the day (high school) I was all for the guy rocking the baggy Rocawear jeans. In five more years, who knows what will be 'the look"….
@Alyson, Actually I'd say that skinny jeans are a norm themselves now.
a straight leg jean, or a slimmer cut pant is ok. skinny jeans, the way the young guys wear them–tight, yet sagging? negative. its not a good look. and its not because I think it look gay, I just think it looks BAD.
as a blak dude,i do wear skinny jeans,but i keep a limit,lik, i dont want my balls to be squeez,so i wear them to a limite,not only its make me look more atractive to my haitian girlfriend,they also look good on me with my jordans.now my problems is that some dudes wears it too tight and when they do that made it look gay on them,if a male have to take several munites to a jeans and find have bcuz it is to skinny thats not a jean fore male,its for my sister who liks to show her booty.
Personally, I am not a fan of the fitted jeans (more so b/c I am on the husky and my big self in some fitted jeans would not work.) However, I can understand the need for a more clean look. I know and tell the difference btw. someone going with the slim look. However, these skinny jeans is not ok, especially the manner in which these DC kids wear them. Pants two sizes too small and then a yellow H&M V-neck (that cut is down to your first rib) shirt to match and you want me to believe that you like girls? You LOOK LIKE a girl, yes…you LIKE a girl…"don't believe you, you need more people".
@acekolub, ouch….lol
ok I would like to start off by saying skinny jeans are very neat fitting thats why i like them on a young male im actually doing a research paper in my class about skinny jeans on a teenage male or anykind of male and i actually do have the same question…what do you think about white boys who wear them? To me if whiteboys can wear them how come blacks cant.
now someone please answer this question for me why do southern boys like baggey jeans rather than skinny jeans? i dont understand it looks so un organized to me they look sloppy and what wuld happen if a officer was to put a boy with skinny jeans next to a boy with baggy jeans i wonder what they would say…
skinny jeans aint my speed but i def rock fited joints… you can catch me in some raw selvage "Slim Jim" Nudie denim though.
Skinny jeans and sagging jeans are both a no no. Sagging skinny jeans = atrocious.
Skinny jeans are not metro. At all. They are punk. No one but angry white teen age boys with dyed black or purple hair should wear them. This includes women. Stop. Stop now.
@Jessica, You need to get hip girl! Where i live skinny jeans aren't just limited to white angry teen boys. They now have a new standard yaknow, They are now for black guys who are fashion foward and carry the confidence to pull it off. I've also seen black people in NC wear them when i went down their this summer for a church convention. Some people may think because the way it USED to be, that skinny jeans are for pansy white spoiled brats but those people fail to recognize the change that is occuring in fashion now a days. (:
understand?
Dudes in skinny jeans and pink shirts…don’t do it! I’m ol’ school and those are things that are not appealing to me to wear. There are a lot of the “new school” looks I can’t get with….sagging jeans, sagging shorts, etc…is another. My 12 year old son needs to understand style and fad. Fads come and go; Style lives. I want him to have style, not follow the fads.
this is kinda dated now
&& i'm youn i'm 16 years old
but i am absolutely in love with the modern fashion style we have now. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to see the frohawks and the blacks guys with skinny jeans and studded belts. I actually didn't dig the "big white tees n collipark" style that much. I moved from DC to AL for like a month (before my dad requested to be moved back to DC) and i must say i appreciated being back at home to DC because personally the city style is much more advanced. My cousin owns alot of skinny/straight jeans and fitted tees (He's not gay. don't worry) and he got alot of second looks when we were in AL and let's just say they weren't by women LOL. I believe it depends on where you live. If u live in the city like me, where there are alot of metrosexuals (no not homosexual but guys that are fashion conscious) then you won't be judged for wearing skinny jeans. You might be judged for NOT wearing them…And i understand that i'm young but i've seen alot of guys in their 20s and 30s keep up with the kids
. I believe it's mostly the 40 yo's +++ that still wear the baggy jeans stuff.
but hey "uppity negro" if u got swag && u rockin the jeans ppl might take a crack at you but they probbly won't be that bad cause u'd be sellin it && the next thing u know u've starts something new, yah!!!
-tiffzx3
Okay, this is probably extremely outdated by now, but oh well. I'm only 15, and I do enjoy the whole skinny jean craze, if you wish to call it that. I do agree that it isn't for everyone, but it can still be done. A lot of people do consider the whole fad to be only for angsty little white teenagers who hate the wolrd and live in their rooms with the lights off, but that isn't true. It really shouldn't be limited to that. And when it comes to looking feminine, I like to think that something like that shouldn't dominate how you dress or the way you are. It's all about personal preference. We shouldn't follow trends and fads, that is true, but if wearing skinny jeans really is your thing, then go for it. It's about expressing who you are through the way you dress. And for those who make instant assumptions about a person's sexuality just because of something they're wearing, that isn't fair. Though the real world is about being judgmental, we can still try our best to get to know someone before saying "He's gay because his pants are simply too tight."
I'm from the UK, straight, black and have been wearing 'skinny jeans' since the trend hit more than 4 years ago.
It's interesting how a lot kids are getting into it now in America for style, whereby i got into the 'trend' because of the music I listen to – nu wave indie, rock, 80s, hip hop.
Anyway, been getting 'aggro' since day one – don't give a shit, we'll never give a shit about what people think about what I wear …
The nu wave look ROCKS!
Im wearing some skinny jeans right now. Im light skinned black male. I think its definitely fine to wear fitted jeans. When it comes to skinny jeans i think thats cool its fine also but they can get tooo tight ! . That all . lol
I'm kinda late, but…
being a young gay black male, I find this style not only attractive on dudes, but also a way to bury many stereotypes on what a gay guy should look like. Now I personally don't wear fitted or skinny jeans, because I fine them impractical and uncomfortable, and I like to "try" to be a trend setter and not another fashion follower, but to each their own. I can say however, that I do hate all the freakin color that guys wear nowadays, I just like darker more muted stuff, cuz I guess I lean more toward that punk rock/skater style, idk what it is, I just do me, so should everyone else.
first of all lets just get this straight. i’m white ok, that being said i love when i see black guys in skinny jeans and don’t whatsoever think it’s gay like wtf just cuz there wearin skinny jeans don’t mean they’re gay but then again i rock skinnies too so…
I'm a 14 year old black male, and I love skinny jeans. It's not gay to wear them, if they make you happy. For me, I wear them just because of my body type, and I wouldn't look that good in the baggier stuff. The thing I don't like about them is that a lot of these dudes wear them because of the incoming fad that's happened, and to attract women. I'm aware that females are into guys rockin' skinny or fitted jeans, but men shouldn't wear them just for that effect. I also don't care for the exotic colored type skinny jeans, because those look a little fruity. But, like some of the comments shown above, it's all in what you're comfortable with. A lot of people in my neighborhood (I live in Memphis) make fun of me because I rock skinny jeans. But I could give a crap what they think. They make me feel good.
i'm and black male of 16 and (gay now bi due to girlfriend) and every time i bring skinny
jeans to my family they say "why are you wearing those fagjeans or gayboys?", but i still wear them regarless. i think it has to due with the "black way of doing things" parents, freinds, girls, if you like skinny's, wear them,(i lokk awesome in skinny's)
Ummm…….what? Did you just say "gay now bi due to girlfriend." It's too early for this…
Personally, I like skinny jeans. However, my body shape hinders this fashion. Fitted I will wear. We must stop the stereotyping and the insults on sexuality. Its alarming that the earlier comment stated that he was gay/bi. There is danger in our words and shallow thoughts. Express yourself through your fashion.
wearing skinny jeans have nothing to do with being gay.but wearin a certain typ of skinny jeans might made your girl live you.and your friends might stop hangin with you cuz they might think that u into the homosexual thingy.
I'm kinda late but Ima 17 yr old brown skinned male nd I wear skinny jeans. I got 2 pairs nd the girls love it wen I wear them. I live in SC (nt a very fashionable place). Wen I went 2 school nd I wore my skinnies it was a whole bunch of cat-callin nd shit but girls was callin me sexy nd stuff. I hav a couple of homosexual students at my school nd the wear the whole baggy jeans and oversized tees so doesn't that mean clothes dnt determine your sexuality??? Soon as I began the trend at my school the same "haters" who was tlkin bout my tight jeans r nw the same ones rockin them….probably gt them on nw lol. But if you hav the confidence nd dnt care attitude then try them but if you're a wanabe gangsta (GIRLS ARENT INTO THAT ANYMORE!!!!) go head nd stick 2 ur gay saggin nd stuff.
P.S. I hav a skinny shape but even if I was big bonned I would rock a pair of skinny jeans.
Just curious…what part of SC are you from?
Well, im black and a guy and i like different types of jeans. Skinny jeans, however, make guys and people in general look sharper and neater…gurls they dont squeeze our balls unless we get a little "happy".hahaha but i like skinny slim straight bootcut and thats it, anything bigger is too baggy. i get my jeans from aero n Kohls……….Oh yeah, Skinny jeans are soooo expensive, just had to ssy that…..
Well, im black and wear skinny jeans. i usually sag them about half way down my booty or were ever my shirt ends. for the most part girls have said that it looks nice and like it. Also i am a short 5'9'' Skinny 160 lbs. Light skin Black guy. Baggy clothes on me are just ackward looking. i think the skinny jeans really should only be wear by black guys who are more along those lines, light brownish skin, skinny body and not tall.
You can definitely see your enthusiasm within the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
some skinny jeans are balls squeezer. i like skinny pants but i want to be able to feel my balls shaking down.
MALE EFFEMINANCY IN THIS COUNTRY IS RAMPANT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT “skinny jeans” ARE; I STRONGLY ADVISE NEGRO-MALE HETEROSEXUALS TO NOT WEAR THEM, UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE LABELLED A “sissy.” THE NEGRO COMMUNITY IS NOTORIOUS FOR RIDICULING NEGRO HOMOSEXUALS. WHY GIVE THEM, “something to work with?”
CHRISTOPHER ALLEN HORTON