Middle-Part Rebeus and Origin of the Gentleman
There are some Rebeus who slick their hair in an almost middle-part style.
While the middle part died out elsewhere in the West, it remained relatively preserved in France. Why is that?
Let's start with the stereotypical gentleman: suited, elegant, sleek hair, respectful.
He's English, right? Not really. He's French, and likely gay.
The word gentle comes from the French gentil, which means high-born or noble. It originally described noblemen, wealthy men, and men of high status. The word pomade comes from the French pommade. The word classic comes from French classique.
The preppy suit that we all love also has its origins in France, specifically in the court of King Louis XIV at Versailles. King Charles II of England adopted the style from France. Beau Brummell later refined and popularized it. He was fluent in French and died in France. He never married, was obsessed with fashion, and opposed traditional masculine roles. Chances are he was gay, like us.
The gentleman's origin would therefore technically be French-Homosexual, which may explain why we love it. Almost everything we consider "preppy" is really just French culture. It's therefore no surprise that these styles survived in France.
Most of the West sadly moved away from them after the counterculture "revolution" of the 1960s, but France was not affected as strongly. What we learn from this is that if we allow French culture to take over, as it once did, our societies may become preppier. Do you want it?
If so, invest in a more Francophone world.
"I am attached to the French language (...) it gives them entry into a more cultivated, more intelligent world, more highly civilised too, with rules."
François Hollande, Former President of France
