Grown Man Syndrome

There’s an old saying that goes, ‘there’s nothing like a man in a suit.’ C’est vrai mes amies. For the first 19 years of my life, this was old lady jargon. Once I waved salut to my teen years, I became fluent in the language of “grown ass man.” Yes, that’s right; “grown ass man.” See, there is a plethora of facial hair-having, job possessing, drinking-able men. (I use the term loosely) However, these simple credentials only make them a man to the state that issues their license. A man is truly defined by his character. Now I know you must be thinking, ‘how can we women tell of a man’s character at first glance?’ The answer, ladies, is simple: by what that man chooses to adorn himself in. In this case, clothes do indeed make the man.

I call this recognition of manhood “Coming of Age.” It’s that moment you wake up and wish there was a well built man fresh out the shower putting on his dress shirt, slacks, Kenneth Cole watch, and loafers to start the day. No longer do kicks and camos excite you. Nope. That ‘I have a career and not just a job’ look is what tingles the loins. This new found outlook recently happened to me.

Polo versus Axe. Briefcase versus backpack. Aldo versus Nike. Tie versus rosary beads. The differences are subtle yet speak volumes. One says, ‘I’m in college.’ The other: ‘I’m a successful graduate.’ Gone is the desire for boyish charm, and here to stay is masculine allure. Now I get what all that fuss over Denzel was about. It’s the grown man syndrome. Ha!