Regardless of colour, do you think women's clothes are designed to make women look ridiculous?

[wrappedupinmyselflikeaspool]

I notice it more and more as I get older and I certainly used to wear ridiculous clothes myself when I was younger, but I don't think the same applies to menswear.
I look around on the street, on the train etc. And notice that a majority of women's body shapes do not suit the way women's clothing is designed to be tight and body hugging, stretchy, bright, cut out, cut up, decorative and ornamented. Heels, make up and dyed and teased hair add to an overall slightly comic effect. The women have to fit the clothes not the other way round. A minority of women look goodish in this get up and a minority wear t shirt and trousers and flats, as the men do.
Menswear in comparison is mostly practical shirts, trousers, jumpers, flat shoes. I started buying jumpers and socks and occasionally shirts from the menswear section a while ago. They are so much nicer.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

And I absolutely don't think women are thick, what a horrible thing to say!

May be not but there is a tone in these type of threads. All the hyperbole about women's clothes being silly or impractical or uncomfortable or poorly made.

Or the snide comment some one made about being unable to fathom why other women would wear a style of footwear a poster didn't like. Then add the pity about how women are culturally compelled to go along with this (unlike the posters who are above all this)

[noeffingidea]

No, I don't OP.
I live in leggings, long tunic type tops, or maxi dresses, always wear flat comfortable shoes. Can't get more comfortable than that.
The only exception would be a dress code which imposes high heels, which should be illegal, IMO. In any case, very formal dress codes tend to disadvantage men as well. Who wants to wear a suit, shirt and tie with leather lace up shoes in hot weather? I certainly don't.
The other exception is nylon tights and stockings, which are completely pointless garments, IMO. Again, unless you work in a corporate enviroment with a formal dress code there is really no need to wear these unless you want to.
As for pockets in clothes, I'm not bothered. I'd rather carry my things around in a shoulder bag or backpack. I don't think pockets are particularly safe.

[otherdoor]

Interesting thread. I sort of agree in principle, although I must be unusual because I find that the comfiest item of clothing is a dress. And I've never found tights uncomfortable at all, I'm very glad of them or my legs would be freezing! I also find doc martens and ballet flats very uncomfortable, and Birkenstocks are the absolute worst of all - uncomfortable AND my feet were cold.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

As for pockets in clothes, I'm not bothered. I'd rather carry my things around in a shoulder bag or backpack. I don't think pockets are particularly safe

Yes me too. A cross body bag seems far safer and more practical than stuffing things into a variety of pockets.

[noeffingidea]

Most women carry shoulder or handbags anyway. The manbag thing never really caught on, so I can see why mens clothes have pockets.
Personally I'm a bit paranoid about losing things or being, well, pickpocketed, so I prefer carrying a bag of some sort with lots of interior zipped up pockets and secret compartments.
Unless I'm wearing my winter parka, but that has quite a few inside zip up pockets.

[RebelRogue]

I guess it depends how many things you tend to carry. If I’m not working all I have is phone,wallet,keys and fags.

[RebelRogue]

Oh and I end up putting change and small bits in my pockets (when I have them) anyways as it’s less faff.

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

I don't want much. Just clothes in natural fibres and no 'stretch'. Fabrics that are durable and can be machine washed. Waists that come up to actual waists. Shoes that have ankle and arch sport. Nothing tight or constricting (I like clothes you can eat in). I struggle to find comfy clothes these days.

[0hCrepe]

Basically you've put forward your dislike of fashion or bad fashion sense and then played the feminism card to try and add more weight to what you're saying and silence people who don't agree with you. I'm a feminist and I disagree with you and am saying so. I'm allowed to put forward my view on thrust thread and feel compelled to do so when I see women being portrayed as unable to make sensible choices.
If you can't give credit to women for being able to choose their own clothing then of course you're insinuating they're stupid, either by being led only to please men or by being indoctrinated by the patriarchy to dress a certain way. Do enlightened women only wear practical clothes then? Can they not appreciate beauty and express it through clothing if they so choose?
Sexist or oppressive dress codes, yes but women choosing clothing you don't happen to like, no.

[tectonicplates]

Why are so many people against the use of stretchy fabric? I have a large bust and if it wasn't for stretch, I wouldn't be able to buy any tops. I've tried on non-stretch t-shirts and they look ridiculous on me - if it fits my bust then it's too large everywhere else and looks like an unflattering tent. I have never, ever found a non-stretch top that's anywhere near my shape. I'm on several buying and selling groups and if clothes are advertised for sale, one of the frequently asked questions is whether it has enough stretch or not.

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

I personally don't give a shit about 'shape'. I just want coverage and comfort. Artificial fabrics make me itch and feel claustrophobic. In summer they are too hot. In winter they are still too hot in artificial climates.

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

Put it this way - when shopping for men I never see 'stretch'. Why just for women? Or, more to the point, why do I have to hunt for non stretch fabrics for me why they are the norm for him?

[wrappedupinmyselflikeaspool]

I'm perfectly calm thank you Lass, but your comment came over a little paranoid.

I'm just not interested in entering into personal arguments with random internet people. I like an argument but I have found some of your comments too personal. You are entitled to your opinions and this is a public forum but I'm not under any obligation to agree or respond. I think you might be taking my comments a little too personally. They are not intended thus.

[SomeDyke]

To all of those posters who think women's clothes must be okay cos else we're saying women are stupid for wearing them - do you really our foremothers were stupid for wearing the daft fashions of the Victorian age? Hopefully not, but if you think the sixties ended the era of daft or constricting women's clothing you are wrong. It's like listening to my teenage self before I understood feminism but when you ask why do women do this\put up with this, you first think they must be stupid before you realise it isn't that simple or their fault for making daft choices........ Of course advantageous for the menz to keep the either we are daft for choosing it, or LUCKY because we get to be pretty in pink and they don't.............

[wrappedupinmyselflikeaspool]

Other door I also find a dress most comfortable but I have a lot of trouble finding a plain one with sleeves and pockets in a high street shop. I do my shopping online mostly because then you can search. Also finding a dress that has enough room for big boobs in a rigid fabric is difficult. I think the problem is mostly cheap, quick fashion.

[wrappedupinmyselflikeaspool]

Oh crepe I think you are misinterpreting my OP. It's there at the top so I won't repeat it here. And how am I silencing people? If you accuse me of thinking women are thick I think I have a right to reply. Don't take it personally because it's the fashion industry that I'm criticising. Women's wear versus menswear. Not women versus men. It's fine if you disagree just say so but no need to get personal.

[tectonicplates]

Put it this way - when shopping for men I never see 'stretch'. Why just for women? Or, more to the point, why do I have to hunt for non stretch fabrics for me why they are the norm for him?

Oh FGS, use your common sense. Men don't have breasts. Women have a variety of different breast sizes, and also a variety of waist-to-hip ratios. Stretch fabric can fit women of a wide variety of body shapes, therefore it's more inclusive and better for a wider variety of customers. Non-stretch clothing is generally designed for women who are straight-up-and-down with small breasts. Stretch has been a godsend to those of us with curvy shapes. If you're not interested in fit then that's up to you, but don't start trying to take things away from those of us who otherwise wouldn't be able to buy anything at all.

Nobody said you can't have natural fibres. There's plenty of stretch/knitted cotton around, or t-shirts made of 95% cotton and 5% elastane.

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

Oh FGS, use your common sense

Is there any reason to be insulting? And to use my common sense I'd say that stretch has been a thing only for 30 years max. What did we do before then? And even 2% elastane is too much for me. If you want to look all taught and tight good for you. But I want shapeless cool cotton. So do many other women. Why can't we have this? And why do trousers have to be stretch for women and not men? My DP has a bigger bum than me but most of his trousers are cotton. Why not mine?

[Somersetter]

I think this is a really interesting debate and it's a shame some posters are taking offence because it is clearly not meant to be anti-women.

I also increasingly notice the strangeness of women's clothes, high heels and make-up. There's almost an acceptance that make-up makes women look better, whereas a man wearing obvious make-up would look ridiculous and clown-like.

I'm curious what direction this will take in future - will clothing become less gendered or more? Will women stop wearing make-up or will men wear it too?

I agree men have less choice in clothes, but women have far more impractical clothing choices, many of which they feel obliged to wear (weddings, smart workplaces) and sometimes which they are actually compelled to wear for their jobs - look at the difference in what male and female flight attendants wear for example.

Anyway I'm wittering on now, but thanks for starting this thread.

[tectonicplates]

And to use my common sense I'd say that stretch has been a thing only for 30 years max. What did we do before then?

Firstly, bra cup sizes have significantly increased in the last twenty or thirty years, so there are design issues which simply didn't exist before. Before that, it was rare for anyone to be above a DD. Secondly, most knitwear has always been a bit stretchy. Thirdly, until the 60s it was normal for most shops to have in-house seamstresses who would do alterations for you on the spot, free of charge. Last time I got a swing skirt hemmed at an alterations place, they charged me £15 - totally unfair that I should have to pay extra when others don't.

And even 2% elastane is too much for me.

Why? What exactly is the problem?

If you want to look all taught and tight good for you.

I don't look taught and tight at all. Believe it or not it is possible for clothing to be fitted, shapely and follow your curves without being tight.

But I want shapeless cool cotton. So do many other women. Why can't we have this?

Try going for companies aimed at older women. Maybe TopShop isn't for you. Or maybe there aren't as many women as you seem to think who want completely shapeless clothes.

[JessicaEccles]

Lycra in clothes a) makes them more comfortable and means they move with you and b) stops your leggings going baggy at the knee - the curse of the 80s. It's great if you don't like restrictive clothing.

[tectonicplates]

Also let's not forget that many people used to make their own clothes at home. Most people simply don't do this any more.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

Basically you've put forward your dislike of fashion or bad fashion sense and then played the feminism card to try and add more weight to what you're saying and silence people who don't agree with you

I think that sums it up very succinctly.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

Or maybe there aren't as many women as you seem to think who want completely shapeless clothes

Yes I think this may be true. And rather than accepting it there is a certain school of thought that has to keep pushing the line about how awful women's clothes are along with the exaggerated claims on here about being policed, impossibility of buying the clothes they want.

[tectonicplates]

I'd also like to add that having a bit of stretch means you can still wear the item if you gain or lose a bit of weight. If you have trousers with absolute zero stretch, you could gain two or three pounds and they'd already be uncomfortable and too tight. People here are complaining about impractical clothing, but stretch cotton is actually very practical for a number of reasons.