Why is men's fashion so similar and not as diverse as women's fashion?
I am looking for a gift for my boyfriend, and as I was searching thorugh numerous stores offering men’s clothing, it all looks the same! Specifically, I am looking into getting him a sweater, and they are all the same dull colors (black, gray, navy), and the same design – whether it be argyle, those dams stripes across the chest, among others. I want to buy him something different, but I can’t seem to find it, and also in a reasonable price range ($60 being the top end of what I want to spend). I also don’t want something that is too “feminine” looking, as some different style I feel would look too “metrosexual” on him. Just a stylish guy wtihout being super modern. Any suggestions as to where I could find something different? And why, as women, we have so many different styles of tops, but men’s tops are all pretty simple and not varied?
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Because our culture still pushes the issue of masculinity…. cause you know there is something wrong with you if you wear bring colors etc (not my personal stance)
I blame the mass production of clothing. When that came about it pretty much stripped away self expression through your clothes for both men and women.
I don’t know what to tell you about where you find clothes for your boyfriend. I would lean to suggesting that you shop in independent stores and not chain stores.
I also don’t want something that is too “feminine” looking, as some different style I feel would look too “metrosexual” on him.
That pretty much summarizes it right there. There’s a very strict definition of what a “masculine” look is. Anything outside of that, and suddenly the guy looks gay or feminine.
And I have lots of sweaters of different colors and patterns (I’ll admit I love stripes and look for stripes wherever I go). I’ve gotten them at all kinds of places, usually Macy’s Men’s or something along those lines. But you’re probably not going to find much more than stripes, solid colors, or argyle patterns. That’s what constitutes men’s sweaters for the most part.
You might want to take a look at this men’s sweaters site. Most of them are at or above your price range, but otherwise appear to meet your needs.
And I agree with @DominicX. Personally, I find men wearing what I fondly refer to as a “Bill Cosby” sweater (colorful, abstract patterns) very sexy, no matter what their sexual preference is. Unfortunately, a fair amount of straight men will take one look at them and back away while shaking their head and waving their hands in a ‘back off’ gesture. ‘Tis a shame.
I read somewhere that it’s because women can wear skirts, dresses and pants, which contributes a big part on the difference of the look. It can be attributed that people see the masculine figure as superior to that of women. It’ll be OK for women to copy men because it is similar to “going up”. But men would not want to wear skirts because it will be demeaning to “stoop down” to a woman’s style.
Since in the old times, men were basically doing business and women did less, the women had more time on creating new designs. The men gradually tried to stay away from it so that they would not be in the “same level” as women.
Welcome to the world of boring, repetitive and overpriced men’s clothing!
Overpriced men’s clothing? My husband can get a white dress shirt for about $30. Me? Try $80.00. What’s different? Not much of anything. This trends across many clothing articles.
Most…. a lot…. oh who knows. I think there are a lot of men who really don’t give a shit about how they look. It’s a waste of time and money looking through bin after bin of clothes that don’t fit you. It’s tedious and boring.
Women, for whatever reason, seem to not just tolerate this stuff, but actually many of them enjoy it. Go figure. Anyway, think supply and demand. Men don’t care so they don’t buy much, so there is little demand, and prices go down. Women are totally jazzed by clothing and the idea of looking nice (which, I gather, is for other women, not men as many think) really is important to them.
You want to sell clothes? Where are you gonna spend your time? Where the money is, of course.
Of course, there are men who like to look good, even those who aren’t gay. Likewise, there are women, such as my wife, who hate shopping.
Duh, ‘cause boys that care about fashion are like totally gay. rolls eyes.
@wundayatta Personally, I think caring a ton about fashion is a waste of time in general but if people do, then all people should do so without having to face stereotypes or judgments…they ask me ‘why do you, as a gender non conforming person, still wear skirts and a flower in your hair sometimes?’ and I say ‘why should skirts and flowers belong to any one gender?’.
@Simone_De_Beauvoir Can you imagine how annoyed I am that my daughter is into this stuff? But I understand that beauty gets you farther, even if it is painted on beauty. Seems like it works for men, too, which is as annoying as the wax you can’t get out of your ear. At least to me.
@wundayatta I can imagine but it is her life – she needs to see through it, for herself. You can give her this book as a present. It was a good read.
What? Where have you been looking? I love to walk through the men’s department and look
Because many men think there are more important things in life than fashion.
Like football, for example.
@Simone_De_Beauvoir – I’ve read the first 80 pages of the book you recommended. It’s graduate school level material and requires time. Very interesting so far!
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