Joining In/Staying Out

This summer was a transitional period for me. I learned a lot about who I was and who I wanted to be in regards to what I wore and how I projected myself. It came to pass that after weeks of lounging around the house, I had adopted a daily uniform of fitted hat, Polo shirt (Polo, Chaps, Nautica brand) gym shorts, and white Old Navy flip flops. It turns out that this get up makes me somewhat of a "bro". Now I don't generally consider myself a "bro" per say, although I do enjoy brotastic things such as fantasy sports, matching polos to gym shorts, rocking flip flops any day of the week (white ones no less) with the fitted cap, and of course blasting house music and being loud at parties.

Tiger Woods. A bro hero, both for his prowess, and promiscuity...

While working as an Orientation Adviser over the summer, I learned that sometimes "bro" carries a negative connotation, suggesting that young boisterous men wearing fitted caps and gym shorts and flops are viewed as somewhat obnoxious and potentially disruptive. Though I at first did not consider myself a bro, I realized that I was offended by this, and realized that in many ways, yes, I am kind of a bro.

A bro in his natural habitat. Note the fitted cap and brand t shirt, as well as cargo shorts and necklace.

The key to identifying these "bros" was of course the brands in which they wore, the brand polos mentioned above, the New Era fitted cap, gym shorts, athletic shoes or flip flops, sports jerseys, etc. The bro has many definitions, linked to a variety of activities, and as a result, the bro comes in many shapes and sizes. The bro is not pure a pure jock, though is frequently linked to sports. A bro is not a clubber, those is often linked to music and partying. Bros are at times linked to excessive partying and/or "chilling" but I personally know many bros who get their work done and are intelligent, articulate individuals (I would like to think I fall in this category).

Polo, kind of a bro brand, to be honest.

Bros are at times linked to wealth and or opulence, their choice of brands and leisure activities justify this claim, as does their choice of Universities (RWU is considered a bro school by some, though this is an unverified claim). However, a dedication to leisure and fun, as well as a way of dressing which many times is an amalgam of various brands and cost structures, qualifies any "dude" as a bro. There are lax bros, surfer bros, skater bros, prep bros, frat bros, and a myriad of others. What links these gentlemen however is, as I mentioned earlier, the stereotypical brands which link them together, and the clothing items generally linked to these brands.

See that guy, he's not a bro, neither is his lady friend.

However, one group I do not identify with is the prep. Preps are sometimes confused with bros because of their choice of clothing in some areas, however the branding is slightly different (J Crew is more of a prep brand, although there is some overlap as far as Abercrombie and affiliate brands are concerned). The prep image is also entirely different, bro culture is focused more on leisure and less on appearance or display of wealth.