To think being a woman costs more?

I really need to know how to make socks last 20 years. I lose so many!
I thought I was frugal but this thread puts me to shame.

Well that's good because I said BOTH are vulnerable

Is it optional if it affects your career progression though? I don’t know but I do appreciate what you’re saying and it definitely hits a nerve with me so you’re right there, I’m not trying to pretend it doesn’t. I have an internal monologue when doing my make up etc. I think it’s a complicated topic and I can certainly accept different views. I just am not a fan of the comments that are sneery about anyone that chooses to look any certain way or conform.

I have day to day bras and a sports bra.
Normal everyday knickers and period knickers (which mean I dont have to buy pads.
Socks, some of which ive had for 20 years. Some of which are DCs old school socks.
Tights, but they last years.

I need to look at the statistics. I can’t believe that you don’t think women ARE more vulnerable and therefore more likely to pay for transport home but if I’m wrong I will admit that.

I’ve checked and as I thought the statistics are skewed because men are more likely to be out at night than women. Also, stalking / following isn’t included in the statistics which is more likely to affect women.

I don’t disagree that men are also vulnerable.

Appearances are important. This is a natural state of being, even throughout the animal world

So true.
When you step back and realise you actually don’t need what advertising says you do, it’s very liberating.
Even more so when you consider the rags dressed up (pardon the pun) as clothes today. Plastic plus more plastic pretending to be wool or cotton.
I’m always amused looking at Vinted and seeing something that was modelled in perfect light for a brand’s website and sold fir £££ and is now being sold in its real form… raggy on a hanger outside someone’s wardrobe.

"If you're in a customer-facing role with strict appearance requirements, ie air hostess, then the waxing, mani/pedi, hair styling, makeup etc are all necessitated, but I imagine it's all covered in the salary".

Jesus - air hostess? As long as the cabin crew are competent and know and can enact the safety procedures who gives a crap what they look like? Even their employers have woken up to this.

The mysogency is assuming that women HAVE to do that crap - men tend to care much less than women - speaking as one who has been on the receiving end the off looks and comments come from the women only

it’s misogynistic as its putting requirement on women that don’t actually really matter - it’s forcing a stereotype

period

I’ve said YANBU, but, all those things are optional, you don’t actually have to do them.

lol, a weak and predictable response, but attack is the best form of defence I guess. Proves my point that it hits a nerve to point out societal expectations are optional to conform to.

The misogyny is coming from the posters insisting women "need" to spend fortunes on beauty treatments and clothing

Not from acknowledging the fact men are at risk at night too

I'm saying both are vulnerable

Men are far more likely to be physically attacked at night, that's well known

And women do walk home alone (or catch a bus or train) in the dark

“I’m not like other girls”

Well the PP was suggesting if you didn't spend a fortune on make up and hair etc then you looked like you'd come out of a cave...

My brother definitely used to get through more boxers than I did pants

I don’t think anyone is denying societal expectations exist. We’re just pointing out that it is optional to take any notice of them. I’m not sure why that’s so infuriating to some, perhaps because it hits a nerve that they’re not strong minded enough not to do it? I mean, if you genuinely think it’s wrong, find it a faff and don’t like it, why keep doing it?

as an aside, a random man walked up
to me in the street today and told me I had amazing style. I know this sounds completely made up, but this happens to me a few times a year. Not just in Shoreditch, at work conferences too! I’m a non-shaved, non bra wearing, buzzcut (currently dyed blue) non-makeup-wearing, never had my nails done, slightly androgynous woman with a dress sense I’d describe as streetwear goth meets kids TV presenter. Clearly some people
not only don’t care that I don’t conform to stereotypical womanhood but actually think I’m doing something right!

Well men need socks too - and that might be sports socks for the gym, smart socks for work and "fun" socks for daily wear

Sports bras are my normal day to day bra as well, much more comfortable than underwired. I also wear them under vest tops etc too. I have one "normal" bra and one "fancy" bra for when I need something without a racerback or for going out in.

I don't wear different knickers under my leggings to normal day to day

A cheap pack of Asda tights for the few times I need them

Socks - see above

Some women have such deeply internalised misogyny they can’t bear the idea that women have different needs to men. You’re banging your head off a wall with this one.

I agree. Also, it is slightly more acceptable to be different to the ‘norm’ if you are particularly gifted / a very strong leader etc. some of us are just satisfactory in our jobs, giving it 100% of what we have left alongside looking after children etc.

You can’t be saying that women aren’t more vulnerable than men once it’s dark surely? If there are statistics stating this then they must be skewed by the fact that women are already taking safety precautions by not walking home alone.

Well done? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sometimes you have to pay more for a comparable product.

A while ago I was looking at waterproof coats. Not only was the women's version pricier, it had fewer pockets. I pointed this out to the bloke behind the counter.

I found a coat elsewhere...

ETA, I am a strange shape and have to pay about £40 for a bra that actually fits.

I buy knickers and bras, not lingerie. Admittedly men don't wear bras and they can be quite expensive, especially if you're well endowed like me. Agreed that tights are another expense that men don't have. I'm too old for sanitary products but that is another essential female expense. I've never had a bikini wax, or anything waxed, in my life so I'd count that as a luxury. I get my hair trimmed when it looks like it needs it and I am very fortunate to have my own colour at age 68, but I do agree that women are expected to look half decent in customer facing roles and I suppose that applies to wearing make-up. The hairdressers can be as cheap or expensive as you make it, depending on what you have done, and you don't have to spend a fortune on make-up. I would say that for women taxis after dark are pretty essential if you don't have someone to give you a lift. So all in all, yes, I think it is more expensive being a women. But I think you shot yourself in the foot with bikini waxes and lingerie.

I recommend reading the Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf.