PLEASE NOTE: No actual leopards were harmed in the writing of this blog entry.
I mentioned yesterday that I'd swung by the new Fashion Institute of Technology museum exhibit, "His & Hers," which deals with the way clothing is "gendered" -- i.e., certain garments signifying masculine or feminine -- and how this gendering often changes over time and across cultures (Think pink or power suits or skirts on men, etc.)
And it got me thinking about animal prints, and even more specifically, about leopard, which has been something of a craze this season -- for women.
Then I saw these pants and I decided I wouldn't mind making a pair myself -- in fact I intend to!
Wise readers, what is it about leopard that makes it provocative if not outright taboo for a man? Or do you even believe it is?
Why do you rarely see men in animal prints, but something that's not so far away from leopard, say, camouflage, seems completely masculine?
Reminder: real leopards are pretty fierce-looking.
In mainstream pop culture, leopard is for women -- sexy young women. Leopard looked great on Marilyn.
Barbara.
Veronica.
Ava.
Barbra.
And Ann Margret. (Are you wrapping your gifts in a leopard jumpsuit? Why not!)
On men, however, it nearly always is relegated to slightly naughty bedroom attire.
Fantasy.
Rock stars.
Or parody (a la Bruno).
Readers, I ask you. Does the man in your life wear leopard? If so, where? If he doesn't wear leopard, would you like him to?
Men, do you wear leopard? Would you never be caught dead in it -- or rather, would it never be caught dead on you? Of course we're talking FAUX leopard! No real fur on MPB!
Why makes leopard sexy? What makes it feminine?
Should men stay away from all animal prints?
Jump in!
UPDATE (11:20 am EST): The deed is done -- GRRRRROWL! Two-and-a-half yards of cotton velvet.
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