Hey there, lads! Seems like a storm’s brewing in the teacup of masculinity lately. The latest outrage on the block? Hold on to your hats—pixie cuts! Yes, you heard that right. Those short, sassy hairdos are causing a ruckus in the land of beauty pageants.

When Eve Gilles strutted her pixie look and snagged the Miss France 2024 title, the virtual airwaves ignited. Men—seemingly an exclusive club—rushed to social media (formerly Twitter, by the way) to unleash a tirade. ‘Miss Woke?’ they scoffed. ‘Should she sprout a beard next?’ Ridiculous, right?

Let’s dissect this drama. Apparently, some chaps are fuming because they believe Gilles’ win was a nod to inclusivity over merit. Short hair? That’s seen as a flag for diversity and feminism, they argue. Oh, and apparently, beauty queens should only rock Rapunzel-length locks to be considered stunning. Utter nonsense, if you ask me.

Here’s a reality check: the pixie cut’s a French fashion legacy! From Leslie Caron to Audrey Hepburn, it’s been chic for ages. In France, it’s even dubbed ‘gamine,’ which translates to ‘attractively boyish.’ Shocking, right? Women rocking ‘masculine’ styles can indeed be drop-dead gorgeous!

But, brace yourselves, folks! While women swoon over Gilles’ fabulous look, many men neither understand nor care for it.

So, here’s the crux: some chaps expect beauty pageants to be showcases of ‘femininity’ tailored for their viewing pleasure. Specifically, a version that checks off outdated, hyper-sexualized beauty norms. Slim waists, lengthy limbs, ample assets, and yes, cascading hair—sound familiar? This blinkered view disregards what real women actually want or find beautiful in themselves and others.

Sure, there’s a debate about whether beauty pageants inherently perpetuate sexism. But why can’t women revel in beauty for themselves? Can’t a pageant reflect self-expression? Gilles’ win is proof—beauty isn’t just about a narrow male gaze (though these contests historically promoted that, and change is overdue).

Yet, the absurd uproar over a pixie cut winning a pageant is a glaring sign that some men fear losing their grip on a changing world. Their fear of progress and gender equality drives them to ludicrous, regressive stands. A simple pixie cut at a beauty pageant has them in a tailspin. Frankly, we’re exhausted by this outdated charade.”