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Anything Goes (for women)

Posted on February 3, 2010
Filed Under Fashion, Observations and Commentary | Leave a Comment

I am often amazed by what women can get away with as opposed to men. In the fashion world, women can wear just about anything and the worst criticism they will hear is something looks bad, is inappropriate for the function or doesn’t look good on them.

Men cannot step outside the bounds of pants, shorts and t-shirts, oxford shirts or button-down shirts. Put some crazy color, ribbons or frill on them and you don’t hear the same critisisms. You hear “gay” and “trans” types of comments.

Look at the shoes in the picture above (View source article) and imagine applying any of the elements to a men’s shoe. Forget the heels. Applying any heel on a men’s shoe immediately identifies you as a homosexual or cross-dresser despite the fact that heels were originally invented for men.

Imagine using these fantastic colors or putting some buckle or ribbon detail on a men’s shoe. Taboo! The closest acceptable men’s shoe are those custom painted, graffiti like tennis shoes. They are STILL tennis shoes. Why can’t we break out of this tiny box we have been placed in? Why can women drape themselves in a black trash bag, put on some strappy high heels made out of industrial wire and using a squashed red-bull can for a heel and strut onto to stage at the Oscars or Grammys?

Sure, critics will call them unfashionable or worst-dressed but they will not have their sexuality questioned, even if they wear a man’s tux. What is it that is keeping men in the box?

First, I think it is men themselves, followed closely by women that have been programmed by TV and society that a man must always appear masculine and never show a soft side publicly. Any man that steps outside the box will be chastised by other men. Despite the studies that show between 10-20% of men wear high heels in private, you could probably not find 1% that wouldn’t join in harassing a buddy caught doing it. This group acceptance mentality is holding men back from experimenting and getting creative with their fashion.

Oddly enough, I find that the women I meet while I am wearing high heels in public are overall positive about it. They might think it odd because they don’t see it everyday, but most comment they like it and wish their man would try it. How many are just being nice and how many mean it, I couldn’t tell you but most seem sincere. I know a couple dozen women that would like to meet a man that can live outside the box a bit and try new things in fashion. Several would love to meet a man not afraid to don a skirt or dress.

Until men start ignoring the critics and just do what they like, this box will stay small and constricting. We celebrate individualism then slap down the men that are individuals. Women may differ in what they think looks good, but they allow each other to live outside any box and create a fashion that is their own. Just look at the runway or the Oscar stage. Women WILL try anything.

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