woman is the new black...

I love it when the universe conspires in such a way that all the cool like-minded people are on the same wave-length, some call it the zeitgeist. The current one eludes to the dawn of a new era for humanity. Along with the rise of new super powers and the coming African age, it appears that women have become the new black. Even business manuals now talk of the 'Feminine Power Principle' that embraces womanly leadership styles. Where in the past being emotive, sensitive and inclusive in the workplace was looked down upon, now CEOs worldwide are paying thousands for courses on how to release their inner warm and fuzzy.

For more on this trend see link below
psychologytoday.com asks are we entering the age women.

I'm no psychologist or business guru so i won't get onto the whole new world order trip, my main interest in the subject is in the way it's affected the male/female power dynamics in my own life and what that means for my unborn sons. With the rise in popularity of grooming lines for men, man-bags and guy liner it would appear that modern men want to be, er, women!? So as modern woman who have fought long and hard for the recognition of feminine things this is a trend that we should be grateful for, right?

singer, seal sporting on-trend nail varnish

pharrell and his man bag

The truth of the matter though is that women have been working so hard to fit into the male mould for so long that eventhough they appreciate the prospect of partners who can cook, change nappies and see the value of a facial, most don't actually know what to do with such a man once they have one. Take Victoria Beckham, poor girl's husband is so pretty that their marriage has turned into an episode of style wars - where Becks is winning by leaps and bounds against his now near skeletal plastic barbiesque partner. The hotter he gets the thinner she becomes, the more botox she gets and so the story continues...

For some women having a man who is sensitive or dresses well is intimidating. I for one love well-groomed guys, but then again I can totally get with the metrosexual backlash. Fact is if you want a stylish man you probably need to be an even more stylish lady. Further more if he's good looking you had better be prettier than he his, and don't you even think about slipping up in the grooming department! I have to admit that just looking at this year's GQ's Best Dressed Awards feature set me off on an insecure mani/pedi binge.

my faves:

Themba of Darkie

Tyrone, private banker

I mean if this is the modern man style barometer, where does that leave us the at-least-one-fashion-faux-par-a-week set. I'd need a whole new wardrobe, a stylist and a personal shopper to even begin to compete with these guys. In fact I know a lot of girls who'd rather have a guy who dresses like a Bloem farmer than one who shares your moisturizer. Don't even get me started with the ones who want to cry during The Pursuit of Happyness - now if we're both reaching for kleenex, who does the comforting? It's all just too confusing if you ask me.

So basically, next time you want to complain about how old-school gender roles have ruined your life think about this....without that macho male in your life you'd have to kill your own spiders and start your own braais and having done both i can tell you this mistresses - they really are jobs best left to men!