How to Spot and Trap a Lumbersexual

Relationships

Because really, why not?

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!

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Lumbersexuals are So. Hot. Right. Now.

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).

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Celebrity men are adopting the sexy lumbersexual look – in droves!

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!

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This guy’s a faux-lumbersexual, but TBH I’d take him home anyway!

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?

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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.

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How to Deal with His Droopy Beanie

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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!

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Sarah Woodstock

Sarah enlightens us on a daily basis with the newest trends as (and often before) they transpire. She is the consummate globe trotter. Having traveled to over 70 countries, she earns her living writing, blogging (InsiderDiva.com) and modeling while on the road. In her spare time she gets manicures, suntans on yachts in Greece, shops for even more shoes, and lives in the limelight. She loves photography, elephants, sailboats, bangles and ballet flats.

Reader Discussion: 192 Comments

  1. people are growing beards just to try to give them some kind of edgy look.. men are under so much pressure by other men to be masculine, that some men just hide behind the mystique of their beard.

    Reply
  2. Fakers all. “Rugged” until they’re standing on a chair screaming for some one to kill a spider. Ruggedness comes from the inside. It can’t be shaved off. It’s sad so many people don’t know this.

    Reply
  3. So a lumbersexual is basically a more rugged looking Hipster? Why would I wanna TRAP one? Why would I wanna “trap” anyone? If they like me they stay, if they don’t, let them go. Why would I need to trap a man? So not that desperate.

    Reply
  4. As long as my man isn’t dressing up like a homeless person, I think I’ll respect his sense of fashion. Although I think I like the usual pants and shirt kind of guy but can look amazing in formal wear, (I noticed that most men that I’m dating are like that) Men are rarely the fashionable type so I don’t really expect that much from them like checking Pinterest just like what you said. Nice article though, I didn’t even know that there’s such thing as lumbersexuals, I only know lumberjacks.

    Reply
    • Same, I know that some men can have terrible fashion statements but if you’re a good girlfriend/wife you can always recommend better outfits. He’ll listen. But if he looks okay, I won’t bother changing that.

      Reply
  5. I like the fashion, dislike the cocky attitudes. Looking rough but groomed is a nice fashion for sure. Just don’t overdue it and think you’re some high and mighty god. Other than that, seems cool to me. To each his own. Denim, flannels, leather jackets, all super comfortable. My flannel is extremely soft, good for the winter too. Feels like a hug under a biker jacket.

    Reply
  6. Since when is flannel, boots and beards only for “lumberjacks” ? I don’t get it… why can’t we just dress how we like without getting a label… I just like my clothes nice and comfy… and I’m an investor… I cannot cut down trees unless I wanna hurt myself.

    Reply
  7. A “Lumbersexual” is a poser who tries to be manly by getting a artificial manly look. Buy these idiots a ticket to a poor village in Africa so they get some perspective on life .

    Reply
  8. I hate the terms metrosexual and lumbersexual. The suffix -sexual means sexually attracted to…so unless you are sexually attracted to the city or wood then you shouldn’t be considered metrosexual or lumbersexual.

    Reply
  9. I think millennials forgot how to be men, and we women really are glad to see a guy that at least looks like he knows what he’s doing. This is why I think this look is so successful and popular.

    Reply

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