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I haven't seen this subject discussed specifically. I was wondering if anyone here has ever worn paired barrettes of a 'masculine' flavor such as unadorned shades of brown that somewhat blend in with your hair color, or perhaps simple polished rectangular silver or gold paired ones worn behind each ear. I have done it, and it's great in the summer when it's hot to keep my hair away from my ears while working outside. I find it especially useful for medium-long hair that is too short for a traditional pony-tail, or hair that is of differing lengths. Alternately, for those with a side part, a single barrette to one side could keep hair up nicely. The problem is that, aside from one or two isolated instances, I've never seen other men or boys do this, thus I have to wear my otherwise practical hair accessories in private.
It would be especially attractive in men and boys with longish hair that covers the ears and just reaches the shoulders. For example, it would be perfect for the twin actors Dylan and Cole Sprouse who are in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. If they could be introduced to the idea, maybe their public exposure would make it acceptable for other boys and men with similar length hair to wear them. It may even keep them from being too hasty in getting shorter haircuts because of their hair making them uncomfortable in hot weather. If not those two, maybe some other boys or men with positive public images could do to introduce the idea.
Perhaps promoting barrette wear would help guys who often otherwise end up getting a short haircut just so they can see or even keep from overheating in the summer. I often wonder how many men and boys have given up long hair at this otherwise intermediate awkward stage, when bobby-pins or paired barrettes would solve the problem of in-the-way hair. I know that ball-caps, headbands and/or bandanas can be used, but some people don't like how they feel on or all of the way around their heads (I personally like wearing goggles with elastic straps to help hold my hair in place, too, but that's just me). Barrettes of a masculine flavor is an option I've not seen much discussed, maybe now is the time.
High!
When my hair was in the "awkward phase", I mostly wore a "pakol" or "Chitrali cap", which is a flat round woollen beret-like hat with a rollable brim frequently seen in Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, like those the late mujahidin commander Ahmad Shah Massoud wore (my current one is that very model!) I still do it in the colder seasons, but it is made of a kind of unrefined sheep wool which moths are also very fond of, so it now starts to disintegrate. They come in many colors, typically ranging from cream and light gray over sand color or medium brown to almost black (i. e. undyed natural wool), but nowadays you can get them also in any other color, even checkered (which I think looks outstandingly ugly...)... but they are hard to get outside Afghanistan or the Indian subcontinent, a French company currently offers them for about 20 dollars on Ebay...
Or do you more go for the 15th century "Albrecht Dürer look"? Of course, those silk/velvet renaissance berets suit a long-haired man fine!
See you in Khyberspace!
Yadgar
No, he's referring to a hair-tying accessory, like a kind of vertical ponytail tie. Here's a pic:
http://www.berroco.com/images/180/180_barrette_lg.jpg
Most barrettes I see are a lot thinner than that, though, and most often silvery in color. I mainly see Asian women employing them.
I think I've seen at least one guy with a barrette of some sort before, but I can't be sure. There are a lot of dreadheads in my country, and they wear just about anything in their hair, from tams to terry cloths to beads to (possibly) barrettes. It never comes across as feminine, although perhaps that's because of the dominantly male image associated with the hairstyle.
Anyway, I agree with you. Although I haven't personally worn one before, I'd say barrettes look great for restraining hair, although they might not be as secure as a normal pony tie/scrunchy. They'd be excellent for a wide half-tail style, and have a nix mix of prettiness, casualness and formality to them. If the Suite Life kids (you watch it too? lol, yay, another fan) used it (although to be realistic, it'd most likely only happen in at least a facetious atmosphere, as in one of the kids would wear it as a joke or would be forced to, as in a dare. If they used it for something more serious, as to complement a style of dress, then it'd be most effective, IMO. Maybe some kind of samurai offshoot style?), then kids all across the country would see it, and although I'm pretty sure it would be frowned upon as girly by a number of watchers, at least one might find encouragement from it.
On the other hand, barrettes scream of women (in Western culture, anyway). I can imagine a dude wearing one, but that's because if one tries hard enough, you can imagine almost anything. I associate barrettes almost totally with females, but maybe that's just because the West has "outlawed" them for men. So hey, start a movement. Dark colors are usually the way to go for (re)introducing these sorts of things, and with black one can usually get away with almost anything, even if some ignorant little guy thinks it's because you're a goth. I'll wear one with my sarong and see how it goes. :P
I don't think bobby pins are as frowned upon. A member of this board, Joao David, has used them before. I've never seen them on a guy before, but maybe I just wasn't looking properly.
Rick Gonzales also wears one regularly (i THINK). it's more like a headband to me
http://images.zap2it.com/20050610/19_waroftheworlds.jpg
No, that's not a barrette. A barrette is a clip where you fasten a little bar (that is, a barrette), across a part of your hair. I think the thing with a leather thong and a stick that goes through it also counts as a barrette, because it has a bar, and I have certainly seen men use those to fasten a ponytail. OTOH, I've only seen one barrette clip each side on a girl. Usually they use this as a way to fasten hair that's not long enough to tie back.
Nah, that's just a headband, I think.
Cool movie, btw, and I admired his hair when I saw it. Made me want a headband (but I couldn't find one. :( Oh, the evil of limited "everything" stores).
Sadly I think the resistance many men experience merely by growing their hair long is enough for most to endure, and wearing barrettes or slides would tip the narrow-minded over the edge. I've seen the occasional man wear a barrette, but only as a substitute hair tie to secure a pony tail. Footballer and other sportsment wearing hairbands helped with acceptance of men wearing hair accessories but again it's quite rare to see the man in the street sporting it in public. My hubby (before his moment of madness) would wear a hairband in the house a lot, especially handy for washing/shaving but would never ever go out in public with it. I really applaud men with the strength of character to wear stuff in their hair, even if it's only a pair of sunglasses pushed up to hold their hair back.
I have often thought about getting some form of barettes..lately my hair has been getting long enough where slowly during the course of the day, my hair has started to fall in my eyes..especially on the left side..sometimes I hold my hair back with my hand..but thats far from practical particularly walking around like that..i may end up trying some black barettes to keep my bangs out of my eyes: I haven't seen this subject discussed specifically. I was wondering if anyone here has ever worn paired barrettes of a 'masculine' flavor such as unadorned shades of brown that somewhat blend in with your hair color, or perhaps simple polished rectangular silver or gold paired ones worn behind each ear. I have done it, and it's great in the summer when it's hot to keep my hair away from my ears while working outside. I find it especially useful for medium-long hair that is too short for a traditional pony-tail, or hair that is of differing lengths. Alternately, for those with a side part, a single barrette to one side could keep hair up nicely. The problem is that, aside from one or two isolated instances, I've never seen other men or boys do this, thus I have to wear my otherwise practical hair accessories in private.
I have worn barrettes in the past,but most have a metal clip which can damage the hair so I stopped using them. I think the most awesome invention is the scrunge chip, the spring loads jaw-like clips that are also supposed to be "just for women". I have been wearing them for a couple years now. They are so easy,just pull your hair up like your doing a ponytail, and CLIP,your done. They are great for putting your hair up for a shower etc,too.
At first I didn't wear them in public at all, but now I do, and no one has made a comment bad or good as of yet. BTW I DO wear colors other than black and brown too
I think you are talking about those clips that have a spring in the middle and look like two claws. Pre-May10th, I would use one of them to hold the hair out of the way while brushing teeth and shaving and such. They are very handy, but I never dared to wear it out of the bathroom! They work very handily, and are easy to use. I may just have to wear one out in about a year. I really like them because you don't have to pull your hair through anything like you do with an elastic hair tie.
Hey, I am a member of the LHC but browse around here...
I have worn barrettes numerous times and have found no wierd reactions. I like to wear them on occasions that are more formal (like fancy dinners and stuff) instead to regular opny-ties. I wear styles that are neutral coloured, quite small and un-noticeable.
Fore illustration purposes heres an old picture of mine that was taken before I went out to dinner.
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/myhair/halfupclip.jpg
what do you think of this...
Yes. I have worn barrettes in my hair for years. I prefer to call them clasps. I used to use the thin hornrim plastic ones in pairs, but not on either side. Rather I would put one of them on my pony tail upside down, and then I would turn it up and put an identical one above it. I never got a negative comment.
Most recently I have bought several celtic (my ethnic category) metal clasps. Likewise I put a clasp around my hair upside down, and then turn it face out, and use two bobby pins to anchor it, sescuring my hair above the clasp, and they are invisible. My hair then falls seductively over the clasp and obscures it, and the public simply thinks his long hair is neatly tied up, if they think about this at all, or if they think about anything at all. Remember, you pay more attention to your hair than anyone unless your are lucky to marry some one who has a hairfetish.
I bought several of the clasps so my friend could use them as well, and indeed he does, on both sides, when he is under this roof, but when he is in public he puts the silver mane into a tail, and now uses three black soft ties about 1 1/2 inches apart. On other occasions, he parts his hair from ear to ear, and taking the top part clasps it, letting the sides flow freely.
Those of us who think of ourselves as masculine, and that includes most gays I believe, need to realize that our hair styles are not feminine. Some men may and do actually do seek feminine hair styles, but nothing that we do can undercut the basic masculine self presentation that comes naturally to many of us. Long hair, clasps, pins, stickes, rollers, are utilitarian items freely available to both men and women, and simply do not have the power to alter your gender. Disappointed? Or relieved, that there is this great frontier of freedom.
Guys, more people validate our freedom than opppose it. Push the envelope. One step at a time be a role model for other men who wish to be themselves.
James
My husband also wears his hair that way sometimes when he is getting dressed up. I think it looks great and he has never gotten any negative comments in my presence.
I too have worn barrettes from time to time. One that I have is a wide brown cloth covered one that has a spring loaded clip. I used to pull all my hair back and fasten the barrette down low to the nape. I never really got any bad feedback from it. You just need to be comfortable with yourself and dare to experiment.
Dan
I've never worn them paired as you describe, but I have some plastic barrettes that I use for a "wide half-tail" style like Fallen Angels mentioned. I've never had anyone comment on it, good or bad.
Jim
