"You know, that line always gives my head a twist, every time I hear it. And having read Carly's remarks in the interviews linked above, I'm wondering if the paradox is based on a difference in male and female reactions to male vanity. Because, it seems to me - correct me if I'm wrong guys - that to guys generally, male vanity is regarded as contemptible, whereas, extrapolating from Carly's remarks, women are more likely to find male vanity kinda cute, or charming." - meself

Well, speaking purely from a personal perspective, I find some kinds of male vanity very cute. There's a certain joy to be had observing a young man showing off a little, maybe the shirt sleeves rolled up just so to accent the bicep, or a 'hat cocked right', or a hundred other little things that are done by guys to be a little peacocky. It's usually so overt and a little naive (meaning innocent), or seems so. ;-)