Asa suggested this post based on a response I made to one of her posts. I flippantly suggested that she could fix a potential mates sartorial shortcomings after they were involved. That is based on my O.H's belief that husbands are merely self propelled Ken Dolls for womens amusement.
I will readily admit that I am not a clothes horse. You will most likely find me in jeans and shorts as anything else. I like Ann Taylor, Macys, Needless Markup, et al. but do not spend a lot of time shopping in those places. (Part of it is my size). Wearing a skirt is very much the exception for me. I have never been a "girly" girl and although a native, would be laughed off the "Real Wives of Orange County" if they were so foolish to have me on the show.
All that said, most of the straight men I have known have TERRIBLE taste in clothing. This especially includes my O.H.. I have one brother who is the exception to the rule (No, he is not gay!). Look around you, I will bet if you question every well dressed man, you will find that he is likely either gay or dressed by the women in his life. This will include wives and daughters but seldom mothers. There is a lot of truth to the shameful admission "my Mom dresses me". For some reason, women who become mothers have terrible taste when it comes to their sons.
Where is all this going? I am not sure. I just want to get the word out to the sartorially challenged males out there that there is hope for them! Take your S.O. shopping with you. Fair warning, she will likely want to shop when whatever game you want to watch is on.
12 comments:
LOL... You are so right - if you ask the well-dressed men are either gay or dressed by their wives/girlfriends...
This is nothing new. However, I would like to point out that there is tremendous pressure on western males to not dress well. And there's nothing new about that, either. As far back as the late sixteenth century, there have been derisive writings and charactitures of the 'fop.' One of the main traits of foppishness is the great care with which he chooses his clothes. Yes, there's a difference between dressing well and dressing too well, but that takes time and energy to distinguish, and if a man gets it wrong, he's going to be derided, and at least he's not wearing bermuda shorts, black socks and sandals, so he's dressing beter than his dad is, so fuck it.
Factor that into your calculations.
For what it's whorth, there's a lot of straight African-American men who dress exceptionally well. And it may well be that the integration of non-european societal norms that will finally allow men to think that it's ok to wear nice clothes.
As for me, I'm sticking with my white socks until I meet Asa.
yeharr
I have excellent taste in clothing, but I've always remained a tomboy at heart, so I usually can be found dressed in pantsuits. I don't like skirts at all... I guess it comes from growing up in the 70s/80s and being forced to wear them because that's what girls wore. Then in the biz world, it was mandatory. We weren't allowed to wear dress pants then. Later on, it was allowed and I never looked at another skirt. I always felt it was somehow very sexist.
Life is too short to worry about clothes. I wear jeans, hiking shoes with white sox, and one of a dozen t-shirts that are getting pretty ratty looking. When I dress up, I wear beige slacks, hiking shoes, and one of a dozen dress shirts that are getting pretty ratty looking. I don't mind wearing a suit and tie when the occasion calls for it. I have two red ties that I alternate. Looks like I'm going to have to get a pastel tie to keep up with the times.
When I'm biking in hot weather, it's a different story.
It sounds like JJ Mollo and my husband dress alike! Oh, wait a minute, does that mean I'm not doing my job? I do try to encourage matching colors at least...
Luckily for me I don't have to dress up for work. I have always worn a uniform. Is your sharp-dressed brother the pilot?
Hi Mal, just dropping by... I've switched to WordPress, so my new URL is www.bikedrool.com
Stop on by and check out the new site! Take care.
For the record, I do not dress well.
Mal,
I dress for my audience. The only time I get all gussied up is when I'm meeting with a hot babe.
I have to admit that I struggle with what to wear when I'm meeting a group of lesbians.
Maybe I'm putting to much pressure on myself in trying to put my audience at ease.
Mal! I’m glad you brought this up ;- )
What’s with all the millions of men who do not live in a big city?! (big city men are allowed to be interested in fashion w/o being gay) I read an article a while back though. This guy was talking about his closet being full of kaki-pants. Each new girlfriend would take him to buy kaki-pants and a few girlfriends later, he had tons of them. Did the dude not have any say of his own?! I’m just going around here, but I’m thankful that dorky dressed men might be willing to have their women help them out in the clothing department. But how do you know beforehand if he is or not?! But then again, I do think a lot of women appreciate that they themselves don’t have to dress up anymore since their men don’t. Maybe that’s the easier solution. (Easy is rarely my route though.)
Your statement “PVC and such is a bit uncomfortable and 6" heels are hard on the feet *L* “ got me curious. Want to elaborate on this a bit?...
Forget their clothes, i'd just be happy if they had hygene.
I knew there was a reason that I etiher dress dumpy or conservatively (if wearing suits, etc), that way I don't appear gay!
I'm going to plead the 5th on whether my wife dresses me or not.
I'm the exception to the rule. I've learned that I'm the one who makes the bad purchase choice when I shop solo. Unfortunately, everything looks good (or good enough) when you have a screaming baby in the dressing room with you and you just want to go home.
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