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Women vs Men Clothing Trends

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by genuinemommy, Jul 5, 2021.

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Do you like the clothing options available to you?

  1. Yes

    1 vote(s)
    33.3%
  2. No

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. Sometimes

    2 vote(s)
    66.7%
  1. genuinemommy

    genuinemommy Moderator Staff Member

    What do you like about clothes shopping?
    Are you often able to find clothes to your liking in your size?
    What have you observed about clothing lately?


    Here are my observations on clothing from a walk around Walmart today.

    1. Men can purchase underwear by the 10 pack. Girls and boys can, too. Not women (at this store, at least)
    2. Undershirts for men are sold only in prepackaged unitone multi-packs. White, gray, and black are the only options. Tank top or tee, v neck or crew neck. Undershirts for women are sold singly, and come in a staggering array of colors and shapes.
    3. The men's section has a very clear space for uniform dress clothing: Black slacks and white collared shirts. There is no such section for women, unless you count the area with fancy/cute scrubs. There are no scrubs for men. With no white dress shirts in sight for women, it made me wonder if women just shop in the men's section for collared shirts.
    4. There are no men milling around the men's section like there are women (and men) milling around the women's section.
    5. Women and girls are not expected to want clothing with pockets. Men and boys can't avoid them.
    6. While girls have a dazzling display of hair bows and other accessories, boys have the choice of either a bow tie or a neck tie, both of which are in dull colors.
    7. Girl's clothing is shockingly vibrant and sparkling. It is nearly impossible to find muted tones. Boy's clothing contains imagery that glorifies violence. Muted tones are everywhere in the boy's section. Very few lively tones outside of beachware.
    8. Girls do not have the option to purchase high quality cotton underwear. Boys underwear is far more durable, and always cotton, even the inexpensive options.
    9. There are no clothes specifically for teen males. It jumps from boy's to men with no in-between.
    I felt overwhelmed trying to navigate in-person shopping today. The disparity between options for everyone in my family was shocking.
     
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  2. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    I have experience as a shoe salesperson long ago at JC Penney...and I've seen many of the dynamics you're experiencing.
    They haven't changed in 30 years.

    I'll answer yours from what I've seen as a professional and knowledge of the industry...then I'll answer my own personal experience.

    * These are generalities, not specific...individuals have different tastes...but there IS some pattern in volume/mass

    Myself, I'm a big guy
    Fashion is not made for larger men mostly. At least where much comes from, which is Europe.

    Sizes emphasize small and medium...Larger sizes are not in stock as much and go quick.
    I have challenges with shoe size, neck size, sleeve length and upper torso.

    I go with the trend on underwear, it's functional, not seen...I care more about fit & comfort now, but younger it was not thought of.

    I've had more experience with color than most men, since I did modeling in my late teens...they teach you that and you learn to appreciate it. (ex: I can deal with pink and like it)
    Most men don't want to fuss with it. If color is there, it's about being bold & strong.

    Most men don't want to fuss with "stuff", details, doo-dads...women have a lot more tolerance for that, investment into fashion, eye for details, care for it.
    Personally, I know I don't want to get into the volume of details that ladies have for clothes.

    Frankly, being a big bald guy, I don't want clothing that says, "look at me". I don't want to intimidate or stand out. My build and personality already do that. (I'm a loud extrovert)
    My cuts/style are understated. Patterns subtle. Maybe I have color.
    Most of my casual expression is done by meme T-shirts. Or in business wear, by conservative cut.
    I like hats now (non baseball kind...although I wear those too)

    There ARE men into fashion...it's just not as much of them. Most don't invest until they need a suit.
    Shoes are MUCH more big now, but that's it.

    These are just my experience and observations.
    It may be different for others.
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2021
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  3. genuinemommy

    genuinemommy Moderator Staff Member

    Great perspective! Thanks for sharing about it. I can see why many men might not want to draw attention to themselves, and thereby opt for muted tones. Makes sense!
     
    • Like Like x 1
  4. fflowley

    fflowley Don't just do something, stand there!

    Guy here....I have almost no interest in clothes shopping.
    It's a chore, not a pleasurable experience so I do it as infrequently as possible.
    I am on the smaller side, 5'6" 150 pounds. I have seen a huge migration in sizes over the last 25 years. I used to be a comfortable size medium in most clothing, now I'm generally size small.

    I do enjoy shopping for my cycling and other outdoor clothing.
    In the European brands that I like I am still a medium.
     
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  5. genuinemommy

    genuinemommy Moderator Staff Member

    Miserable having sizing change! I knew it was a thing for women's clothing but I had no idea men were dealing with that as well. What a nuisance!
     
  6. fflowley

    fflowley Don't just do something, stand there!

    Women's sizing seems totally impossible to understand.
    My wife wears size 1 in some pants.
    Which are the same size as 4 in others.
    At least our pants come with dimensions for waist and inseam.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  7. omega

    omega Very Tilted

    If you want less violent imagery for boys clothes, don't shop at Walmart. That is the lowest common denominator and if you look at the people there even compared to Target, there is a difference. I don't see violent clothes for boys there, but more positive messages.
    At my work I used to wear what I thought were reasonably nice dress shirts with slightly bold ties. I have a couple pink shirts as well because I look damn good in them. Since we went a little more casual I still wear slacks with various polo shirts tucked in. They are typically solid colors with black or grey pants. The pants are dark colored because I will wear a pair for multiple days and so I don't really want to draw attention to my pants. I do have some nice ankle dress boots (clarks) that look good and a very comfortable. I had a hair stylist at my work comment that I always take care of my hair, that it's never out of place. But that's because I use a beeswax and oil based pomade. I can put it on wet hair and it will maintain it's shiny gloss, or I can run my fingers through it after drying to leave a little shine, but not look slicked down.
    The fact is though, since my body has been gradually changing to a better physique, clothes look better on me. I can wear cotton shorts that come above the knee that look good, with a nonbranded tshirt that shows me, not just a brand name. My shirt this evening is a darker pink colored crewneck. It fits me well.
     
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