Trendlet: The man bun
Who knew the era of the metrosexual would permanently bend the gender rules governing fashionable dudes' style choices? In the last 10 years, we've seen everything from skirts on rappers, to meggings on pop stars. There are man purses, man clutches, and now, the man bun.
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Who knew the era of the metrosexual would permanently bend the gender rules governing fashionable dudes' style choices? In the last 10 years, we've seen everything from skirts on rappers, to meggings on pop stars. There are man purses, man clutches, and now, the man bun.
The trendlet
This disheveled, sexy, tucked-under pony - also called a bun or a topknot, depending on its positioning - is the latest in girly looks gone manly. Unlike a plain ponytail that gives off bad-boy vibes, buns are the mark of a mindful man who appreciates high-quality hair products and cozy, plaid shirts. Note: The half-shave is often included.
Where's it come from?
Centuries before androgyny became trendy, Japanese samurai wore the chonmage hairstyle - a shaved patch above the forehead with a high topknot at its center. Warriors wore the updo to keep helmets in place, but eventually, the chonmage became a status symbol.
Men with dreadlocks - including entertainers Bob Marley, Busta Rhymes, and even Lil Wayne - routinely wrapped long hair into messy buns. In the last three years, hipsters traded in five o'clock shadows for full-on facial hair. And with the beards often came shoulder-length tresses that sometimes required some quick pullback action.
Yet, the moment actor Jared Leto appeared on the Golden Globes' red carpet last January in a Saint Laurent tuxedo and man bun, the rapper-chic/hipster style went high fashion. (In December, Leto ditched the elastic ponytail holder for a '90s claw clip. It's only a matter of time before man-bun wearers will be shopping at Claire's.)
Who's wearing it?
Hollywood's A-list hotties love it. Leonardo DiCaprio fancies a tiny snatch of a man bun. Joaquin Phoenix's man bun is all mountain man. Shia LaBeouf is more greasy bun, while Colin Farrell is a side shaver. Local disc jockey DJ Phsh is a fuzzy bunner. And I'm betting the low-maintenance coif is coming to a cubicle near you.
Would Elizabeth's guy wear it?
I'm thinking a guy with hair long enough for a chignon is exotic, scruffy, cute, and just might work for me in 2015.
Should you wear it?
Generally speaking, man buns are hot. So guys with shoulder-length hair might want to just bun it up. I don't, however, suggest you go the bun route if you're balding.
Man bun courtesy of Andre Baldini at Andre Richard Salon, 1218 Locust Street, 215-735-1590. Model: Alfredo Aviles. andrerichardsalon.com.
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