https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gendered-clothing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 28 May 2026 22:47:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gendered-clothing#post-1776913 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 21:17:37 +0000 Lyn D. 1776913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I accept the need for clothing to be gendered for average fit,<br /> But not the price differences we see </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gendered-clothing#post-1776832 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 18:10:48 +0000 rachylou 1776832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear men's sneakers because I have foot problems and they're designed with a higher toe-box.</p> <p>Did anyone watch 'The Paradise'? About the rise of the department store phenomenon in the 19th century. They try to do a men's day in the women's department, so gentlemen can shop for their wives. The wives end that right snap, lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gendered-clothing#post-1776831 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 17:58:44 +0000 Emily K 1776831@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with all of this. &nbsp;Differences in both size and shape are valid reasons to maintain separate departments. &nbsp;But, I bet we continue to see a trend toward gender neutral styling and fabrications.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gendered-clothing#post-1776827 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 17:54:31 +0000 JAileen 1776827@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, it has to do with shape. "Unisex" sizing is a lie. It's really men's sizing: broader shoulders, longer arms, narrower hips. Or, the opposite of me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gendered-clothing#post-1776817 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 17:25:37 +0000 approprio 1776817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with much of what <b>minimalist</b> has to say - I'm another cis woman who shops the men's department, and it's most definitely a privilege.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'd add that Western expectations have changed a great deal in the last few decades. For a long time, men would typically dress to do things, while women would dress to be seen. Now that women have more freedom to do things and men are more comfortable being looked at, the boundaries are blurring a bit more. But don't expect centuries of enculturation to disappear overnight. ;)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gendered-clothing#post-1776810 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 16:59:22 +0000 minimalist 1776810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, for a lot of people, gender isn't necessarily binary, either. People aren't always born in bodies that correlate with their gender identity, in the way that most people still think about it. There are men who menstruate, and women who need jock straps. Sounds like you've just begun your journey of learning about gender; maybe start a thread in the off-topic section, for suggestions about where to deepen your understanding.</p> <p>I'm a hetero cis-woman, yet I wear a lot of men's clothing, because it fits, is better quality than the corresponding "women's" items, and because the price is usually a better value. But my body type works with that; most women have more curves, and proportions that don't work with labeled-men's clothing. Being able to "just buy menswear" and look presentable wearing it is a privilege I don't take for granted. </p> <p>There's also the question of size ranges it's viable to manufacture in any given line. As an extreme example: Manolo Blahnik is not going to make high heels in a size and width available to Mr. Maximal, just like they're not going to make shoes intended to fit orthotics. So the men who want to wear certain "women's" items will need to have bodies that conform to a narrow range of sizes and shapes...just like women do. </p> <p>Tl;dr: clothes are sold as gendered because it's efficient and economical. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gendered-clothing#post-1776807 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 16:55:49 +0000 Anonymous 1776807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You make a good point. It may have to do with sizing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/gendered-clothing#post-1776804 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 16:40:37 +0000 Anonymous 1776804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi,</p> <p>Just&nbsp;wondering why&nbsp;clothes are sold as gendered. Surely it's up to the individual to choose whatever clothes they want to wear. Why are they labelled "men's shirt"&nbsp;or "women's shoes" in the stores or online? (Obviously underwear is an exception, men don't need bras or women jock straps!) A shirt is a shirt and a shoe is a shoe surely?</p> <p>Or is it just crazy old (not so old) me that thinks that?</p> <p></p>