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Style & Beauty

Men wearing nail polish

55 replies

TwiceRemoved · 11/06/2014 15:21

Yup, guess it could be that old chestnut again.... I've done a quick search on the topic and nothing is leaping off the screen at me, so...

Men with painted nails? I get mixed reactions (usually detrimental from the male of the species, and mixed from the softer gender), either to the general 'lovely' condition of my feet, or to the colour of my finger nails and/or toe nails, or both, or neither.

I probably spend far too much time worrying about that other people think, possibly because I do not take negative comments well (even the most light-hearted remark will get mixed up in my brain cell to mean total and unequivoval ridicule!)

I remember doing the touristy-thing in Turkey-land a three or four years back, and on a packed boat a middle-aged (so same as me) made a point of 'mentioning', loud enough that everyone on the boat could hear "he's wearing blue nail polish". His wife (partner(?) simply said "so?" But loads of the other bods onthe boat then made a point of either coming over (or sending their DCs over to point, stare, comment. Fine - I'll get over it - if that's the worst thing that will ever happen in my life then I'm in for a good one :o)

So to cut to the chase - is it ever acceptable? Is it really that bad? Can it ever be good? Does anyone really give a ff anyway?

Just wondered....
Confused

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Blithereens · 11/06/2014 15:29

DH wears nail polish all the time. He has lovely hands (plays piano and you can tell) and beautiful nails - much nicer than mine Angry He has a large collection of polishes and paints mine as well as his own. He is also very easy to buy stocking fillers for as a result! Grin

He gets mixed reactions too. He works a corporate job BUT he does something nobody else knows how to do and is incredibly dedicated and hard-working so they let him off. It hasn't stopped him getting promoted or anything.

From friends and family they will occasionally rib him gently, but they all accept it as part of who he is. From randoms or acquaintances he sometimes gets cat's bum mouth or 'oh....that's very modern, isn't it?' at which point he usually launches into a story about how he took my name when we got married.

He has a beard and wears masculine clothes but he likes a bit of jewelry and eyeliner too. When we got married he was teary-eyed and FIL leaned over and stage-whispered 'Don't mess up your make-up, son' Grin GrinGrinGrin

I love his hands and his painted nails. I think he looks hot. He asks me to pick the colour if we're going somewhere posh (wedding, etc) as he has a tendency to matchy-match. He can also paint them perfectly while on the bus or on a train, which usually attracts some envious remarks!

He did once get called a f*ggot by a drunk man in the street who tried to punch him, but we just ran away. Mostly he lives a very contented, nail-polished life.

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HerrenaHarridan · 11/06/2014 15:52

On you go... Try to care less about what other people think, unfortunately some people are just arses

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HellonHeels · 11/06/2014 15:59

Sounds good to me. I like a man who is confident enough to make his own decisions and please himself about grooming, makeup, nail polish etc.

Keep on painting those nails with pride Grin

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Lottapianos · 11/06/2014 16:02

I have a friend who has a huge thing about men with painted toenails. I don't get it at all. Painted nails on men are not something I find attractive personally but I would defend anyone's right to make their own choices about style and beauty

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Jbck · 11/06/2014 16:06

DH doesn't wear it now as he woul.d be ribbed mercilessly, very male oriented work environment but in his younger days yes.

His nails are aleays well manicured though and he does enjoy a good buff.

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sonlypuppyfat · 11/06/2014 16:07

I really don't care what other people do, but you have asked my opinion and I think it's vile.

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HellonHeels · 11/06/2014 16:09

Vile? Confused

That's a bit over the top isn't it?

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fridgepants · 11/06/2014 16:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the user's request.

BeCool · 11/06/2014 16:16

is it ever acceptable? Is it really that bad? Can it ever be good?
Does it really matter what other people think? And if so WHY?

YOU enjoy it! So wear it - or don't. Your choice.

Acceptable to whom? It's acceptable to me, but what the heck does that matter in the scheme of things. Nail varnish on men isn't on any list of rude/nasty behaviour - it is essentially extremely innocuous.

And the people making comments will also be passing comments and judgement on may other people for a variety of stupid reasons. Probably because they are bored and miserable having lived their lives giving too much thought as to what the neighbours might think, and are now either stifled by boredom of overwhelmed with regret.

Live your life for yourself - to hell with anyone else. The old adage "you can't please everyone so please yourself" springs to mind and it is so true.

As far as a fashion statement goes, surely it has been stylishly acceptable for men to wear nail varnish etc etc etc for many years now? Have you missed all the 80's revival stuff that has been on TV recently.

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TwiceRemoved · 11/06/2014 16:35

Have you missed all the 80's revival stuff that has been on TV recently.
Missed it? I started it!!! Wink

OK, maybe not, but when one is a 'fifty-two-and-a-bit' year old of (primarily) the male pursuasion, one is not supposed (apparently) to hark back wistfully to their younger, care-free days (and besides, nostalgia ain't what it used to be anyway) just to rid themselves for a while of the intense burden of growing old gracefully, acting like a 'real man' (whatever the hell that means), and generally conforming to Joe and Jo Public's expectations of what a man should look like, how he should dress, how short and grey his hair is, etc.

It would be easy for me to take onboard the (mostly) positive comments in all of the posts, and go through life in my own sweet, unassuming way, but....

I have two DDs (12 and 14) - they both tell me it's cool, and "you're not wierd, you're just dad", but there are other kids they meet who (as well as their parents) are not so broad-minded. I don't want to risk my DDs being bullied, or my SO being embarrrassed in the queue at Waitrose (yes - we act jolly posh!), so deep down it's not all about me (believe it or not).

If I could paint my nails, remove the polish and then re-apply as necessary all in a few seconds if the need arises then great. However, it takes me ages, even when SO helps, so I need to find a balance.

I value all opinions, and if the general consensus turns out that 'most' peeps would find it unacceptable (rather then not actually caring) then I may need to sit myself down and give me a damn good talking to.

PS If I sound self-centred and insecure, it's probably cos I am (another failing I guess...)

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TwiceRemoved · 11/06/2014 16:40

Vile?
That's a bit over the top isn't it?

Not really - been called a lot worse.... And there are times when even I (or part of me anyway) totally agree - it is vile. Not the colour, or the style, or the effect, but the impact it can have on my loved ones. My skin is sometimes almost as thick as my head - their's may not be...

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BeCool · 11/06/2014 16:40

Buck up Twice your kids are cool with it. I bet they think that you rock. Are they actually being bullied? Would you prefer their life to be more beige? Is that something to aspire to?

If you do feel bothered then just do your toes. Or stick to clear varnish.

I'm guessing you aren't in London as I can't see it ever being a problem here.

I bite my nails so I'm just super jealous!

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BeCool · 11/06/2014 16:44

I value all opinions, and if the general consensus turns out that 'most' peeps would find it unacceptable (rather then not actually caring) then I may need to sit myself down and give me a damn good talking to.
In that case I think you a damned.
It will only be a general consensus of people reading and taking the time to reply to this thread for a start.

I hate to break it to you, but MOST people couldn't give a flying fudge what someone else does with their nails. yes even men. It's a bit like taking a poll on how should I feed my baby. Not only are other peoples opinions on the subject pointless they are worthless too.

Right that is my tough talk done with.

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BeCool · 11/06/2014 16:44

ARE damned!
Dammit

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CornChips · 11/06/2014 16:44

I have a real weakness for nail polish on men. It seriously makes me go wobbly. I have no idea why- I don't wear nail polish myself. It's my favourite thing about Eddie Izzard. Grin. My first BF used to wear nail polish- maybe that is why I love it- although he was a bit of a sod.

I used to paint DH's toenails.

Anyway, if I see a man with nail polish I tend to think 'ooh,... interesting!'.

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sonlypuppyfat · 11/06/2014 16:46

I wouldn't pass comment or stare, what ever makes people happy is fine by me, I just said what I thought of it. FWIW I like men's nails caked in oil! We're all different.

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EndoplasmicReticulum · 11/06/2014 16:50

My husband occasionally paints his toenails. My boys have done theirs before as they saw me doing mine and asked to, and then suggested that dad didn't want to be left out....

Nobody has commented to husband, although boys have had comments in playground from other children.

Do what you like, I reckon. Husband used to have long hair and got more comments for that, he once got chatted up in a pub by a (very drunk) man who thought he was a woman....didn't notice the stubble obviously.

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MorelloKisses · 11/06/2014 16:52

I don't mind what you do.

(Just incase all you get are the extreme views)

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FiveExclamations · 11/06/2014 16:53

I completely get why you are concerned out of a need to protect your loved ones but they sound fine with it and actually I think it's good for children to deal with some level of "weird" from their parents, broadens their minds.

My husband wears polish on his toe nails occasionally, started as a solidarity thing for a mate who was getting shit at work for it.

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EndoplasmicReticulum · 11/06/2014 16:58

Husband and 2 boys with blue nails, taken a couple of years ago:

Men wearing nail polish
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ILikeWarmHugs · 11/06/2014 17:04

Personally I would love to see more men wearing nail polish. I am always in awe (and secretly envious) of people who challenge others' perceptions and ideas of what a man or woman 'should be'. It's utter nonsense dictated by someone at some point in time. Just because lots, the majority even, of people disagree with something that doesn't automatically make them 'right'.

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Xcountry · 11/06/2014 17:11

no offence but NO!!! I have a sort of feet phobia and prefer DH's feet tucked away nicely in his workboots or wellies. If his nails ae long enough to be painted, theyre too long to sleep in the same bed as me.

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TwiceRemoved · 11/06/2014 17:23

no offence but NO!!!

s'OK Xcountry - none taken Smile

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0pheliaBalls · 11/06/2014 18:06

Blithereens your DH sounds gorgeous!

I'm another one with a thing for nail polish on men. When I met DH he was 19 and wore black or blue nail polish all the time, he doesn't anymore and I miss it... He thinks he's too old! At 30!

OP, who wouldn't want prettily coloured nails. Just carry on doing what you're doing.

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Blithereens · 11/06/2014 18:15

Thanks Ophelia. He is Grin my MiL always rolls her eyes at the close-up picture of our hands at our wedding - me with my gel manicure and him with his slate-grey nails!

Twice, remember only taking on board the negative comments and ignoring the positive ones isn't healthy either. If you look at this thread you'll see the vast majority of commenters either like it or don't give a fig. So long as your kids and SO are cool with it, just enjoy the little bit of space you've managed carve yourself out from traditional bullshit gender presentations. Yay for you!

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