If you’re a regular reader of Urbanette, then you know that we have a tenancy to veer to the serious side sometimes. That’s why we thought it was high time we brought you something sexy, silly, and fun. Cue the lumbersexuals!
In case you’re unfamiliar, there are two kinds of lumbersexuals: the fake kind and the sexy kind. Here’s how to spot the real ones, weed out the hipsters, and get over the fact that you’ve fallen for a beard-sporting, flannel-loving, Army boot-wearing man (who also may wear faux glasses and a droopy beanie that your dad makes fun of because hey, nobody is perfect).
Best Places to Find a Lumbersexual
Rock climbing gyms, live music venues, Frisbee golf courses, the lake, the river, the hardware store — this is where you find real lumbersexuals. They are at bars, too (but then again, so are the lumbering not-so-sexuals).
How to Avoid the Lumbering Not-So-Sexuals
Are his pants so tight that his thigh gap is wider than yours? Is he wearing Tom’s? Drinking a hard cider? This lumbering not-so-sexual may own a lot of plaid and have poor grooming habits, but odds are, he doesn’t know how to do many of the things that make real lumbersexuals so intoxicating. The allure of the lumbersexual is a manliness with an edge of fashionability, right? Well, consider this a guy a designer knockoff and beware!
How to Deal with His Fake Glasses
Fake glasses? That serve no medical purpose whatsoever? What is next, lumbersexuals? A plastic ax? What if we put a little fake bird on your shoulder like the kind my aunt gets from craft stores?
We may hate on the faux rims fad but dangit, at least this guy has some guts. It’s kinda refreshing to meet a guy who is rugged and still likes to accessorize, right? And really, fake glasses are a ridiculous thing in concept, but we lie about fake eyelashes and summer highlights, so why shouldn’t men have their little secrets, too?
Still not feeling it? If you really hate them, you could just ‘accidentally’ squish them while packing his CamelBak for a surprise day hike… whoops! He can always get another $10 pair, but in the meantime tell him how hot he looks without them.
How to Deal with His Droopy Beanie
We all know this look. The hottest guy in the room sporting a beanie that looks like a deflated balloon taped to the back of his head. Is it just me, or is a beanie only hot when it looks like he would snowboard in it? The lumbersexual is all about gettin’ things done, using tools and being efficient. So an emo beanie just doesn’t cut it. Get him something structured, strong and knitted, with ear flaps or faux fur/leather and buckle detail. His desire to wear cheeky accessories will take over and break him from his sad droopy beanie habit.
All Flannel, All the Time
Over the last few years, we’ve all become experts at spotting a flannel from across the room in a sea of no-effort T-shirts. It’s a beacon of hope that there are still manly men out there who can build you a house AND help you decorate it, too (or at least be willing to look through the Pinterest board).
The expanding population of smart, dare-we-say sophisticated lumbersexuals is a pretty encouraging development. And the fashion world is even taking notice. The Guardian calls the trend “faux-hobo” and boasts the practicality of the style. That’s right. It’s finally fashionable to be practical. Oh wait, it always was — for men, anyway. Sorry, ladies.
Now that you’ve found your lumbersexual and fallen for him like a tree in the forest and you don’t care who hears it, make sure you two stay cozy all winter long. Get some legit matching flannels and get to studying up on whatever gets this grizzly god of plaid outside and smiling.
Are you obsessed with lumbersexuals too? Do tell!
The real lumberjacks are HOT!!! My issue is that a lot of those ‘lumbersexual’ are straight up yuppies & hipsters. Yuppies and hipsters do not scream what a real man looks like.
Look I love a rugged, manly man, but come on now. If you can’t build a house, fix a car or fight why even bother?? My husband has been rocking this so called lumber sexual look for years. This is just another trend I hope disappears. Just imagine, men with no muscle tone, and soft hands are growing beards and dressing as lumber jacks because it’s fashion? Most of them have never done any kind of hard labor in their life.
Great content, Sarah. I really love reading your articles. As for lumbersexuals, I like the look , not the extra long beard ones but still . but I don’t think trend had anything to do with masculinity, there is nothing masculine about a guy following a trend just for the heck of it. Some people might not be genuinely interested in this style but that doesn’t make them any less of a man than the hipster pretending to be masculine. I don’t agree with this style being connected with the masculinity quotient much less being the representative of it.
Men with beard are sexy as frick. Would 100% date a man who can accessorize! Faux glasses are hot too.
If a man tells me he can use powertools, I’d grab him and marry him. Who needs a good looking man if they can’t use powertools?
OMG this! If a man tells me he can do laundry I’d marry him!
Let’s not be too shallow and not prefer men who are like this. Would you enjoy it if a man tells you that they like girls that are this and that?? ? It’d break your heart.
I’ve always been fascinated with men who have well-groomed beards. Not the one’s that are too long though, like just a nice, slightly shaven and shaped beard like how Johnny Depp would do his. As for his clothing, men who are versatile in their sense of fashion is highly recommended for me. One that looks hot when they’re rugged but sexy, one that looks like a high class businessman in a suit, and one that looks like a celebrity even in a plain white shirt is just dreamy.
If he looks like Johnny Depp then yeah, why not, RIGHT??
Who isn’t in love with Johnny Depp? Even in his younger years (no beard) he looked damn attractive.
Problem with this style is most of those guys have no idea how to fall a tree. ?
I’m gay and I’m a lumbersexual… Lol. I’m somewhere inbetween masculine and feminine. Haha. I always hear that I give mixed signals. But anyway, I think it’s an awesome look and I hate shaving so that’s even better. ?
LOTS of butthurt in these comments. What’s with all the negativity? True, a lot of hipsters have taken it hostage, but they’ve been on the fringe of fashion for a while. Makes sense that they’d try the beard. Beards are sweet. Plus I like that look of my rugged looking self with a put together spin. I’m not so much for the red and black plaid, but it works well if I want it to.