Formal Outline: Research Paper 1

Preliminary Thesis: Metrosexuality has been the driving force behind GQ magazine since its creation and has thus remained the same in 2009, evidence of this can not only be found in the 2009 issues but also in an article by Mark Simpson called “Here Come The Mirror Men” and a book written by David Coad called The Metrosexual: Gender, Sexuality and Sport.
I.
1st Supporting Point: GQ and other magazines like it are usually faced with negativity by societies where metrosexuality is not so accepted because of the magazines ability to blur the lines of what’s feminine and masculine
Further Detail:  An article written by Chandler Burr called “Cologne.(men’s fragrance usage)” talks about the term “cologne” and its relevance to American society trying to say its ok with doing metrosexual behavior without having to claim it likes metrosexuality.
Further Detail: Another interesting article that applied to the same concept was “That’s What I Was Gonna Wear!” written by Katherine Wheelock. In her article Wheelock discussed how over a period of time men and women who are dating tend to dress the same, so much that if they went in each other’s closets they could find something they have worn.

II.
2nd Supporting Point: GQ also showcased to its readers during that year that men are taking more interest in learning about how to better there appearance and are even writing into the magazine asking questions.
Further Detail: In GQ magazine during 2009 readers of the magazine wrote in questions to the magazine to be answered in an article called “Glenn O’ Brien Solves Your Sartorial Conundrums”. The bases of this article were answers from the GQ “styleguy” who took time to answer a few questions from the men about a variety of things concerning fashion and appearance.
Further Detail: Since all men can’t be brave, GQ is willing to assist those to shy to ask with articles like "Trimming, Tweezing, And (Sometimes) Waxing" by Jason Chen. Chen is telling men that they should groom, how to groom, and that it is not as complicated as they may think it is. It gives detailed instructions on how to do a variety of hair trimming and the different tools required.

III.
3rd Supporting Point: Based upon articles from the magazine and information from the article by Simpson and book by Coad, GQ could be described as the world’s handbook for metrosexuality.
Further Detail:  GQ magazine is without a doubt the handbook for metrosexuality above all other men’s magazine because the term itself metrosexuality created by Mark Simpson was used to describe his opinion of a style exhibition created by GQ in London called “It’s A Man’s World” back in 1994.
Further Detail: From The Metrosexual: Gender, Sexuality and Sport written by Coad we see the work that went into making GQ the metrosexual handbook it is in 2009.

Analysis:
GQ magazine is without a doubt the handbook for metrosexuality above all other men’s magazine because the term itself metrosexuality created by Mark Simpson was used to describe his opinion of a style exhibition created by GQ in London called “It’s A Man’s World” back in 1994. Simpson wrote an article called “Here Come The Mirror Men” which connects the concept that GQ is a metrosexual designed and themed magazine from then and continuing through 2009, and that the 4 articles I mention coincide with GQ and the article written by Simpson. Simpson discusses what he sees at the exhibition and the variety of grooming products and fashions found at the exhibit that are for men, going back to all the articles describing men’s interest and concern for the use of these different things. Simpson goes on to say “Metrosexual man wears Davidoff ‘Cool Water’ aftershave (the one with the naked bodybuilder on the beach), Paul Smith jackets (Ryan Giggs wears them), corduroy shirts (Elvis wore them), chinos (Steve McQueen wore them), motorcycle boots (Marlon Brando wore them), Calvin Klein underwear (Marky Mark wears nothing else)” which refers back to the article by Wheelock were celebrities are also mentioned partaking in actions described as metrosexual to let straight men know that even your iconic straight celebrities are in on it to. If the creator of the word “metrosexual” and GQ magazines articles have so much in common it cant be denied that GQ has been and is the handbook for metrosexuality for the world.

Analysis:
From The Metrosexual: Gender, Sexuality and Sport written by Coad we see the work that went into making GQ the metrosexual handbook it is in 2009. When Art Cooper took over editorship of GQ he wanted to revamp the magazine and pull it away from its gay appearance. So the genius idea of tying the worlds best sportsmen as models for ad came to light and thus pulling the men’s style magazine into a more heterosexual light creating a balance that could be described as metrosexual. Male athletes are considered to posses a “ hypermasculinity” as described by Coad so to display there interest in fashion and have them model clothe and appear in GQ once again as described in the articles by Wheelock and Burr gave men the ok to dive into men’s style and lean and become interested. Thus creating a reason for GQ to have articles like the “Glenn O’ Brien Solves Your Sartorial Conundrums” and "Trimming, Tweezing, And (Sometimes) Waxing" because some men now felt ok and need assistance in learning and pulling off metrosexuality. GQ has pioneered its way through the years to 2009, from its connection with the creator of metrosexuality, its innovations as a magazine to help ok metrosexuality and its continued success as a men’s magazine has earn the recognition to be called the metrosexual handbook. There are no men’s magazines that have the type of credentials GQ has when it comes to metrosexuality.