How male earrings found a measure of respectability

TIME was, circa 1978, when a man could only gain street credibility if he had something glittering and gold dangling from his ear lobe.

The once dandy look of old, when a chap was positively under-dressed without his wig, white face powder and single earring, was back - but this time it brought a different image, giving the man a macho edge.

This year, the earring on a man no longer turns heads or causes family rows. It has become as acceptable as any old piece of junk jewellery - or has it? MTV VJ Danny McGill caused a rumpus recently in Calcutta where he was filming a musical extravaganza.

As the cameras were ready to roll at one of the city's trendy nightspots, McGill found himself victim of a strict dress code.

Men with earrings were banned.

McGill stood his ground, arguing that the male earring had become widely accepted, and won the day.