Why have't women figured this out yet??

[Departed Member]

What freedoms are you talking about that they (girls) don't have? Lar

To dress as they like (no 'compulsory' designer wear), go where they like (in reasonable safety) and be accepted as women, not feel compelled to dress/act like 'second-class men'!

[AMM]

To take a quote out of context:

I should have borrowed her green one [miniskirt?]; it looks good with a yellow-based Hawaiian shirt I have; but, alas, with that rig there are *no* pockets).

Ah, yes. Pocket-less clothes, especially skirts & dresses.

I don't know how many otherwise delightful skirts I have left on the rack because they had no pockets and no obvious way to put any in.

My theory is that the absence or near-absence of pockets in women's clothes is an evil conspiracy to oppress women -- specifically, to reduce their independence -- by not allowing them to carry the necessary things of life (keys, money, plastic, etc.) conveniently upon their person. (Long, long riff upon this theme deleted....)

Anyway, one nice thing about making my own skirts is that I can insure they have adequate pockets!

-- AMM

[crfriend]

My theory is that the absence or near-absence of pockets in women's clothes is an evil conspiracy to oppress women -- specifically, to reduce their independence -- by not allowing them to carry the necessary things of life (keys, money, plastic, etc.) conveniently upon their person. (Long, long riff upon this theme deleted....)

I'd like to call "hogwash" on that notion. but don't know if I can justify such harsh language Stuffing one's skirt-pockets full of stuff seems to do more "damage" to the line and flow of the garment than stuffing one's pants-pockets full. It seems that as I do that (stuffing pockets) I tend to start looking more "off balance" in skirts than when I have the same mass in tr*user-pockets.

One positive effect I've noticed is that I've learned to travel a bit lighter. I was positively amazed at the amount of extraneous "stuff" I was carrying around in my wallet when I faced the need to "slim down"; why, for instance, did I feel the need to tote around three months' worth of ATM receipts?

Wintertime is the easiest; I've adopted several strategies that help me with a lack of pockets. The (much slimmer) wallet goes into a shirt pocket, and the vest hides the car-keys that get attached to a lanyard around my neck. Summer can be a pain, though; I was out in my dark blue velvet skirt this evening, my wallet was a wee bit on the fat side (haven't cleaned it out in a couple of weeks), and I had no place to hang my keys -- so I carried 'em. Maybe a "man-bag" isn't out of the question; I'm already carrying stuff "outboard".

But, calling the lack of pockets a "conspiracy of oppression" I think is going just a wee bit too far. I think it's a case of fashion bludgeoning function where better solutions might be had.

Anyway, one nice thing about making my own skirts is that I can insure they have adequate pockets!

That works great so long as one is comfortable with a sewing-machine or has lots of time to hand-stitch his own garments.

[Since1982]

One positive effect I've noticed is that I've learned to travel a bit lighter.

The most positive thing I've experienced about wearing skirts publically is now, Heaven forbid, I actually look at what I'm wearing and think about unheard of previously things like color co-ordination, cleanliness of garments, getting underwear lined up correctly with hems etc. For 30 years my public "uniform" was washed out torn or ripped denim shorts, similar T-shirts, tired old loafers and NO underwear at all. I feel more better about myself than I have since I was 12 years old and that's a definite improvement. Amazing that going out in public wearing a skirt could do that for me but it has. :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :ninjajig:

[Charlie]

I actually look at what I'm wearing and think about unheard of previously things like color co-ordination, cleanliness of garments, getting underwear lined up correctly with hems etc.

I'm right there with you Skip. Now I know why my wife takes so long to get dressed when we're going out. I take nearly as long as she does It's fun as well.

Charlie

[Bravehearts.us]

Or weak minded...

My wife and I caught an episode of the above-named series (primarily out of a fit of boredom) the other day and it was just plain awful. The "advice" was completely off the mark, and the poor lass they "made over" came out the other end of that meat-grinder looking worse than she looked going in.

We subsequently went out and deliberately broke as many of their rules as possible -- her in a sky-blue mini-dress (screw that "no miniskirts after 30" "rule") and me in my black tiered skirt (I should have borrowed her green one; it looks good with a yellow-based Hawaiian shirt I have; but, alas, with that rig there are *no* pockets). :stir:

Fashion, just like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. There are some on this board that I would have to say look terrible. But that’s only how I see it. If YOU like it and you’re comfortable in it, then I say GO FOR IT.
Lar

[iain]

....um, I hope I'm not in that category! Suddenly I feel insecure!!

[Overtahill]

Fashion, just like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. There are some on this board that I would have to say look terrible. But that’s only how I see it. If YOU like it and you’re comfortable in it, then I say GO FOR IT.
Lar

I second that. But lets face it, we can't please everybody. In fact, why should we try? If you can look in the mirror and be satisfied with what you see, then don't worry if you please anybody except the significant people in your life. Even there, you may have to push the envelope a bit.

Cheers

[Since1982]

....um, I hope I'm not in that category! Suddenly I feel insecure!!

Meeeee too. I wonder who we all are. Us terrible looking people. Sadness overcomes my persona.

[Overtahill]

Meeeee too. I wonder who we all are. Us terrible looking people. Sadness overcomes my persona.

Looks like we have gone way off topic in this thread. Maybe we should deal with this in a seperate thread. Perhaps even have a voting system?

To bring things back on topic... "Why Haven't Women Figured This Out"...

Mushroom seems to have forgotten that he's physically comfortable in the dress because he isn't wearing any of the other Accoutrements that women usually wear with a dress. In addition, dresses usually prompt the need for extra grooming which may take a while.

Thoughts?

Rick

[AndrewH]

My wife wears dresses and skirts when dressed up (by which I mean with make-up, jewelry etc) and when dressed down (just throw a dress on because it's the coolest garment in hot weather). Trousers are for when climbing ladders only - and not even then always.

She also does not understand why some women wear trousers all the time!

[Overtahill]

My wife wears dresses and skirts when dressed up (by which I mean with make-up, jewelry etc) and when dressed down (just throw a dress on because it's the coolest garment in hot weather). Trousers are for when climbing ladders only - and not even then always.

She also does not understand why some women wear trousers all the time!

I think that it is unfortunate that most women don't see it that way. I would love to have that choice.

Cheers

[Skirt Chaser]

So why are women still wanting to wear shorts, jeans. pants etc., instead of more comfortableand (in this hot humid weather) skirts and dresses??? I am totally confused!!!

Because skirts aren't automatically more comfortable. Even in a skirt or dress I wear pants underneath. Females tend to have larger thighs and the feeling from them rubbing together is not one of comfort. :shake:

I think many of my other reasons for loving pants have already been covered- I don't get hot anyway, pockets, no need to be aware of sitting with my legs together, no skirt-tucked-in-underwear mishaps, and avoiding the feeling of exposure. I'll add that modesty goes out the window when trying to get up after sitting cross legged on the floor in a dress. I have also heard some women wear pants when they haven't gotten around to shaving their legs though in that case a long skirt or dress would amount to the same coverage effect.

The list for me also includes knowing I look good in pants (skirts and dresses too for that matter) and the handy fact that santiary napkins wear better with jeans or other close fitting pants to hold them in place. I'm wondering if that is the reason in ancient Persia (if I have the place right) trousers were a female only article of clothes. Men just don't have the same benefits from pants.

Quiet Mouse

[red_red]

I am still wearing skirts and dresses, and so are the most females that I know... Sometimes we don't fell very comfy in skirts, other times we're just scared of the ideea of not looking good or having ugly legs...and there comes the hair from the legs too...so..we always try to find the best excuses for not wearing skirts...although it's more "girly" and more sexy:oops: to wear skirts and dresses...
Arrmmm...don't have any ideeas now... maybe coming back later...
Hugs& kisses

[crfriend]

[...] I'll add that modesty goes out the window when trying to get up after sitting cross legged on the floor in a dress.

That's easily countered if you're wearing a long skirt or dress. If the garment is arranged properly, and you can manage a "vertical lift", then the skirt will fall quite naturally around you as you arise from the floor. That said, standing in one fluid motion from sitting cross-legged is an acquired skill, but it is possible. I can do it, but typically I'll sit with both legs folded out to one side with my skirt covering everything outward to my ankles (and that pose is amazingly warm in the winter). If I do decide to "go vertical" I just need to make sure I don't stand on the hem on my way up.

I have also heard some women wear pants when they haven't gotten around to shaving their legs though in that case a long skirt or dress would amount to the same coverage effect.

As far as I can tell, the jury is still out as to whether blokes should shave their legs if they're going to wear skirts. There are no rules in this realm!