The love of Birkenstocks would explain Mona’s attitude towards the guys she meets (except Ryan and Raoul), but then she would have graduated from one of the Seven Sisters or even Berkeley instead of UZLA.
JPS: Yeah, you’ll see some spelling errors here and there.
Sometimes there are some “practical” brands that come out with cute styles. And there’s a lot to be said for comfortable shoes. If you disagree, try walking around a theme park all day in heels.
Also, there are some brands that are deemed cute that shouldn’t be, like Uggs. :)
Yeah, I know this is stereotypical, but why do lesbians care so little about how they look and gay men care so much about how they look? Not putting down either group, it just seems that way.
I get in trouble when I give my opinions on things like this, but I think women (in general) are more self-conscious about their appearances than men. This is good in terms of looking “presentable” (men are more inclined to public slovenliness), but bad if it extends to “primping” (a woman spending two hours in front of the mirror, making sure she looks “just so”).
My question has been: Do women dress to please themselves, to please men, or to please other women (not in a sexual way, but out of competition; Van Morrison’s song While Night is Falling includes the line “All the girls walk by, dressed up for each other…”)?
If your average man says to a woman “You look great, even in a sweatshirt and jeans”, he means it. That doesn’t mean he won’t also be wowed when she puts on a backless evening gown, but frankly he’s not going to notice (or care) if her hand bag doesn’t perfectly match her shoes.
A man also likes to know he can “clean up nice” on special occasions, but luckily pretty much every guy looks good in a tux, and we can wear shoes that are both stylish and comfortable. And I think women give men a lot of latitude to be day-to-day slobs, provided they can put on the monkey suit without kicking too hard, when its called for.
My own little though experiment is this: If you put a person (male or female) on a deserted island, but give that person all the comforts of home including a fully-stocked wardrobe of stylish clothes, how long before that person is wearing the same suit of baggy sweats every day (there is also a washing machine, so hygiene isn’t a factor)? I’m pretty sure the man would dress for comfort and practicality from Day 1. How long would a woman go before she stopped mixing and matching separates, when nobody sees her but the mirror?
There is a certain type of lesbian who will go out of her way not to conform to what’s considered “conventionally attractive” (i.e. “what men like”). As a result, they might be considered “frumpy” or “drab”. They might not even shave their legs! It isn’t that they “care so little about how they look”, they’re just making a different statement to the world. I’ve also known lesbians who dress up like Barbie dolls every day, reasoning that being lesbian allows them to be as hyper-feminine when they want. Some Earthmothers like femmes, some like other Earthmothers, some femmes like femmes, some like Earthmothers. And then there’s the Diesel Dykes, who may be freely substituted in any of these combinations. Finally, there are the lesbians who, in all outward appearances, are absolutely indistinguishable from straight women…
Likewise, men fall across a broad spectrum; there was a Sex & the City episode, I believe, which made the distinction between Gay Straight men (men who like women, but who care about clothes and cooking and flowers, and so on; they register a False Positive on Gaydar), and Straight Gay men (men who like men, but care about sports and beer and engines and stuff; they register a False Negative). Nowadays, we have the term Metrosexual, for a man who clearly likes women, but uses moisturizer and owns nice furniture…
Girls who like boys who like boys who like girls… Ain’t love grand?
MisngNOLA, why is it that the lesbians you can identify follow the stereotypes of what lesbians are supposed to be like? And why is it that the gay men you can identify follow the stereotypes of what gay men are supposed to be like? And why is it that the straight people you can identify follow the stereotypes of what straight people are supposed to be like? Or maybe you just assume everyone who isn’t obviously following gay or lesbian stereotypes must be straight….
fritzkringle, of course women are more picky about their appearances! Society judges us by what we look like more than it does men; the one rule a young woman is not allowed to break is that she must be attractive in some way (sad but true). Women who dress to impress men are the ones that other women see as tramps and avoid, women who dress to impress or intimidate other women are the ones who get along well socially.
As long as it’s understood that women are as judgmental (or moreso) of how other women look or dress as men are… The pressure on women to obsess over how they look doesn’t all (or primarily) come from men; don’t blame *US* that half your paycheck goes for shoes and lip gloss.
ladywolf17 almost 15 years ago
Look! If you want the Birkenstocks then just buy them.
margueritem almost 15 years ago
Mona’s right, Donna. However, if you’re attracted to flannel shirts and softball….
jay_dallas almost 15 years ago
It sounds like Donna’s comment about the ugly footwear hit just a little too close to home…
ejcapulet almost 15 years ago
If the shoe fits, buy two pair (three if you have big hooves and live in China - it’s almost impossible to find shoes here!)
JP Steve Premium Member almost 15 years ago
Sandels?
Sisyphos almost 15 years ago
I’m betting Mona owns a pair or two of Birkenstock sandals….
razorback2824 almost 15 years ago
The love of Birkenstocks would explain Mona’s attitude towards the guys she meets (except Ryan and Raoul), but then she would have graduated from one of the Seven Sisters or even Berkeley instead of UZLA.
JPS: Yeah, you’ll see some spelling errors here and there.
AliKzam almost 15 years ago
Sometimes there are some “practical” brands that come out with cute styles. And there’s a lot to be said for comfortable shoes. If you disagree, try walking around a theme park all day in heels. Also, there are some brands that are deemed cute that shouldn’t be, like Uggs. :)
The missing M. Smokey almost 15 years ago
Let’s just play with our toes.
3hourtour Premium Member almost 15 years ago
…!@#$,looks like no soft core lesbian porn…
lewisbower almost 15 years ago
If Donna were a lesbian wouldn’t she speak with an accent?
Kosher71 almost 15 years ago
What about a pair of Crocs ?
MisngNOLA almost 15 years ago
Yeah, I know this is stereotypical, but why do lesbians care so little about how they look and gay men care so much about how they look? Not putting down either group, it just seems that way.
fritzoid Premium Member almost 15 years ago
I get in trouble when I give my opinions on things like this, but I think women (in general) are more self-conscious about their appearances than men. This is good in terms of looking “presentable” (men are more inclined to public slovenliness), but bad if it extends to “primping” (a woman spending two hours in front of the mirror, making sure she looks “just so”).
My question has been: Do women dress to please themselves, to please men, or to please other women (not in a sexual way, but out of competition; Van Morrison’s song While Night is Falling includes the line “All the girls walk by, dressed up for each other…”)?
If your average man says to a woman “You look great, even in a sweatshirt and jeans”, he means it. That doesn’t mean he won’t also be wowed when she puts on a backless evening gown, but frankly he’s not going to notice (or care) if her hand bag doesn’t perfectly match her shoes.
A man also likes to know he can “clean up nice” on special occasions, but luckily pretty much every guy looks good in a tux, and we can wear shoes that are both stylish and comfortable. And I think women give men a lot of latitude to be day-to-day slobs, provided they can put on the monkey suit without kicking too hard, when its called for.
My own little though experiment is this: If you put a person (male or female) on a deserted island, but give that person all the comforts of home including a fully-stocked wardrobe of stylish clothes, how long before that person is wearing the same suit of baggy sweats every day (there is also a washing machine, so hygiene isn’t a factor)? I’m pretty sure the man would dress for comfort and practicality from Day 1. How long would a woman go before she stopped mixing and matching separates, when nobody sees her but the mirror?
There is a certain type of lesbian who will go out of her way not to conform to what’s considered “conventionally attractive” (i.e. “what men like”). As a result, they might be considered “frumpy” or “drab”. They might not even shave their legs! It isn’t that they “care so little about how they look”, they’re just making a different statement to the world. I’ve also known lesbians who dress up like Barbie dolls every day, reasoning that being lesbian allows them to be as hyper-feminine when they want. Some Earthmothers like femmes, some like other Earthmothers, some femmes like femmes, some like Earthmothers. And then there’s the Diesel Dykes, who may be freely substituted in any of these combinations. Finally, there are the lesbians who, in all outward appearances, are absolutely indistinguishable from straight women…
Likewise, men fall across a broad spectrum; there was a Sex & the City episode, I believe, which made the distinction between Gay Straight men (men who like women, but who care about clothes and cooking and flowers, and so on; they register a False Positive on Gaydar), and Straight Gay men (men who like men, but care about sports and beer and engines and stuff; they register a False Negative). Nowadays, we have the term Metrosexual, for a man who clearly likes women, but uses moisturizer and owns nice furniture…
Girls who like boys who like boys who like girls… Ain’t love grand?
hookedoncomics almost 15 years ago
Wow, that was the longest opinion I saw on here! Couldn’t get past the first sentecne. LOL.
fritzoid Premium Member almost 15 years ago
It’s actually several opinions smooshed up as one… I seem to be in a very loquacious mood today.
CougarAllen almost 15 years ago
MisngNOLA, why is it that the lesbians you can identify follow the stereotypes of what lesbians are supposed to be like? And why is it that the gay men you can identify follow the stereotypes of what gay men are supposed to be like? And why is it that the straight people you can identify follow the stereotypes of what straight people are supposed to be like? Or maybe you just assume everyone who isn’t obviously following gay or lesbian stereotypes must be straight….
-Cougar :{)
margueritem almost 15 years ago
fritzkringle I enjoyed reading your take on things.
ejcapulet almost 15 years ago
fritzkringle, of course women are more picky about their appearances! Society judges us by what we look like more than it does men; the one rule a young woman is not allowed to break is that she must be attractive in some way (sad but true). Women who dress to impress men are the ones that other women see as tramps and avoid, women who dress to impress or intimidate other women are the ones who get along well socially.
fritzoid Premium Member almost 15 years ago
As long as it’s understood that women are as judgmental (or moreso) of how other women look or dress as men are… The pressure on women to obsess over how they look doesn’t all (or primarily) come from men; don’t blame *US* that half your paycheck goes for shoes and lip gloss.