I went to an all girl school and rolled up my skirt. I still wear clothes I think make me look nice, even when I know I'll only be with other women. I am really uncomfortable with accusation that every woman not wearing a baggy top, loose trousers and sensible shoes must be trying to attract the 'male gaze'. Maybe they think they look good, maybe they've been working out hard and want to show off a body they're proud of (body positivity, anyone?), maybe they're just copying their friends, maybe they're just really bloody hot and want to wear as few clothes as possible. I spend precisely no time wondering what men might think of me when I choose outfits. Nor when I dye my hair, go to the gym, put on a bikini, remove my body hair - or even wear high heels. The only women I ever hear talking about the 'male gaze' are women attacking other women and claiming they are trying to attract sexual attention. And presumably if they get sexually assaulted, it's at least partly their fault for wearing clothes men might think they look nice in. If they'd been wearing a nice comfortable, practical outfit of jumper, jeans and trainers, they wouldn't have attracted the 'male gaze', after all...
Terrifying.
I don't want to see too much of ANY person. Male or female. Not because I think they're asking for sex, because it looks dirty and sweaty and smelly and I don't want to be near other people's dirt, sweat or smell. Especially if they're sitting somewhere I then want to sit! I would object equally to a man's bottom poking out, and not because I thought he was dressing for the 'female gaze', nor because I was uncomfortably aroused or thought I might sexually assault him. I think social norms about acceptable dress is fine, I think claiming woman must only be wearing shorts because they're trying to attract men is revolting. The same was said about mini skirts. The same was said about calf-length skirts, and about showing ankles, and hair. That way burkhas lie - and that really is dressing for the male gaze.