Fashion Anomalies
I was recently talking to a female friend of mine, and the subject turned to areas where men don't react like women expect them to. This is especially true for fashion, and I brought up a classic fashion anomaly. For many men (not all), a woman dressed in a nice pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt can be just as attractive, if not more so, than a woman dressed in a "fashionable" outfit. (Although nothing compares to the classic little black dress). My friend's reaction to this was pretty much the same reaction most women have: total disbelief. I know women that have had guys checking them out while dressed like that, and they are completely puzzled by it. In conversations I have had with guys about this, they agree that it happens, but are not sure why. One theory was that when women are dressed like that, they are much more open and relaxed, and guys find that attractive. Another theory was that it had something to do with the "girl next door" image.
Anyways, my conversation made me think about this a little bit. So I'm curious about opinions from my readers. Is this a phenomenon restricted to the engineering-type guys in my social circle, or is it a wider thing? And for the women, have they experienced guys checking them out while dressed in sweatpants and a T-shirt, and what was their reaction to this?
Anyways, my conversation made me think about this a little bit. So I'm curious about opinions from my readers. Is this a phenomenon restricted to the engineering-type guys in my social circle, or is it a wider thing? And for the women, have they experienced guys checking them out while dressed in sweatpants and a T-shirt, and what was their reaction to this?
posted by David at 1/24/2007 01:19:00 AM
3 Comments:
I think this has to do with the fact that men and women find different things attractive. So, I don't think it is primarily driven by geek culture, but with larger social norms.
Men are conditioned to look at bodies and to think of sexuality in physical/biological terms. Women on the other hand are taught to judge men on social/psychological terms.
Women are likewise taught to look at grooming, clothing, and all of that stuff as evidence of social skill and status, and evaluate men as providers and caregivers based on that information.
The disbelief women express is because women expect to be judged by the standards they use, so women naturally assume that men judge based on the same criteria they use to judge men.
The one place I see Geek culture entering the picture is that Geeks are often intimidated by the trappings of social judgment, so they find women in casual, even sloppy, clothing more open, approachable, and attractive.
Now, I also think men in general and geeks in particular often fail to see what women find attractive and focus on the wrong things. But that's a discussion for another day.
Definitely the case that a woman can be as, or more, attractive in casual garb. Similarly with make-up -- less/none is often better that fully painted & sculpted.
And, depending on the woman's physique, the t-shirt & sweatpants may better emphasize her curves.
BOO! Fashion...Hiss! Stick to political rants, pictures of the greater DC area, and less "fashiony" topics. Just kidding, Dave. I'm just commenting to ask for an update (even if it is about "Fashion Anomalies" ... never thought I'd see the word, "fashion" with "anomalies" (a word I learned by watching Star Trek. Reminds me of "optimal shifting range" and "viable transportation."
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