I think it's going to take more scholarship and exploration to broaden the term. It's slow to catch on, and the effeminate portrayals and satirical images are rather pervasive. Let's be honest. Metro ain't too many steps removed from gay. Really. Let's not pull punches here.
My roommate jokes about me being metro. I pressed him to really say what it is about my behavior that gives him the right to make the joke, but he couldn't come up with anything specific, let alone coherent.
I explained to him that I have fashion knowledge because of my job. At the end of the day, I just know my style and what I like to wear, and I'm proud that it has progressed beyond a former don't-give-fuck indifference. Actually, I'm more proud that I have a style that isn't exactly what you see on the side of an Abercrombie bag or in a fashion mag. I'm not emulating everyone. Besides, if I'm going to wear pink, I'm going to wear it in the front. I'm not going to try to layer and overcomplicate it with folded up long sleeves and buttons and pins and God damn useless skinny ties and shades and what not. There's functional and good looking; and then there's just flat out retarded shit, you see?
Yes, I do like to dress well. I care more about my appearance. That might fuel some of the motivation behind working out. I also want to improve my health and actually follow the same advice I give people at the health care job.
I tried to explain it to him and he kept joking about how I walk like I'm a model. Oh? Standing up straight isn't a bad thing. A good posture is a sign of good abs, so maybe the crunches are paying off. (Besides, you can joke with me about walking around one morning with morning wood.)
Okay -- let's summarize. There is absolutely nothing wrong -- and I'd dare to add, there's nothing pejorative either -- with caring about your appearance. I think it's very hard but attainable to possess and develop a sense of personal style. A lot of people just don't know what that is. Lots of good reasons too. Unattainable standards of beauty, being saturated with ads and images and magazines, thinking that diet pills are the "it" way to take control.
I think the metrosexual definition that includes an obsession with the style is a little counterproductive, and I do like where gjorg was headed with incorporating style with positive emotional qualities for men.