To answer Peri's question: my husband does not pay attention to my poison eye. He wears his jeans too short (they jussssst reach the top of his shoe). They are the same style he's worn for decades (relaxed Levi's), but is not comfortable in straights or anything modern or any other brand of jean.

He has some shirts that I dislike. Slowly, over the past few years, I've managed to get rid of a few of them with his blessing. Still working on some others (mostly based on color -- he's amenable to tossing/donating ill-fitting or ragged shirts).

I would LOVE it if he would meet with a Nordstrom stylist. But, I also think he looks really good in what he wears already even though it's uninteresting.

Fun! My DH is uber stylish with his men's clothes, and I honestly trust his opinion. However, he hates my super baggy BF jeans, pants, etc, and literally rolls his eyes at my R&B pajama jeans.....do I stop wearing them? Absolutely not!!

Janet - I suspect high waisted jeans would be a common theme among SO's.

Christieanne - lol about the bride finger nails! I don't think anyone would even notice.

Rute - interesting about the flats. My hubby actually LOVES flats.

Nebraskim - yay for SO's who pick off cat hair!

Linda - smart man - lol!

Peri - great question to turn it around to what the SO wears! My hubby will ask if something looks good or goes together and he's a very classic dresser so there's never really anything too far out that might cause me to raise an eyebrow.

Celia - your SO and Mo's SO can hate animal print together!

neonginger - hmmmm....there seem to be a few boyfriend hating hubbies!

Isabel - I think Barbara Bush reminds my hubby of his grandmother and that's not really what he wants his wife to look like, ya know? Interesting point about what your hubby does like...now I have to ask mine what he likes...

retailgirl - the animal print club is growing...

rabbit - fab point about the first "meh" impression. Sometimes it just takes some getting used to, doesn't it?

ambergreen - so nice that you're receiving compliments

Suz - yay for SO's who are on board with BF jeans and fluid fits. So nice for us!

Rae & Alasse - oh no...more hating animal print. What is WITH that???

Cheryl - lol! Yep that's me too....sometimes I go "yeah, you're right" and then other times "gee that's too bad 'cause I really like it".

JAileen - I'm not sure there's too many guys out there who DO like chunky shoes come to think of it.

Love your replies ladies

Pastrygirl - I did once have to remind DH that he was wearing his pants too short too.

jackiec - you wear those pajama jeans and enjoy - lol!

My DH hates everything that isn't 'modern classic' which is NOT good, since my taste tends towards more boho, artsy, etc I dressed to please him for far longer than I should've and recently decided (in no small part to this forum!) I NEED to dress however makes *me* happy and comfy. Unfortunately, that means a BIG turnover in my clothes, which we can ill-afford right now, thanks mainly to necessary surgery on our sweet Angel puppy.....but trying to add one thing at a time- mostly by saying 'will this add/detract from where I want to be'?

DH prefers my hair longer, but this has been a 23 year saga of me letting it grow then cutting is short and he has softened considerably... He always smiles jokingly, but when everyone else compliments me and his friends say his wife looks fabulous, he changes his tune... He just has to have his moment and we laugh about it ..
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I know he hates Birkenstocks and is not very fond of any flats... He knows that i need them for my Mom on the Go world and has come to accept them all except the Birki's ... I keep those for when he's not around....
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He is a big supporter of me taking care of myself and compliments me almost daily.... don't think he is quite as enthusiastic with my long boho skirts, but refrains from mentioning it because he sees how much I love them.... Kudos to him for that one!

As for his style, He listens to me as I've nudged him to flat front slimfit pants and slim fit tops... I pretty much pick his wardrobe...unless it's Team Sports gear and then he is all over it.... I will say he recently shocked me by picking out red shorts while we were at BJ's. Would love to encourage him to do that more... He is very picky so I usually only shop for him when he is present or online by putting things in the cart and awaiting his approval... Most time he agrees or even adds things.... Now if he would only listen to me about getting a pair of boat shoes in Navy..... All 3 of our sons ages 14,18 and 27 have them , but he just won't consider it... He hates shoes without socks....

I LOVE this thread! Thanks Shannon. My DH has great style. He picks out all of his own clothes and, for the most part, dresses well. The only time things get a bit dicey is when he wears his gear as casual wear.

I trust his opinion when analyzing what I'm wearing but he tends not to like things that are very trendy. He hates gladiator/cage sandals! With my changing style, I've had to ignore his opinion somewhat. He doesn't care and is kind with his compliments.

This is fun reading. Let's see... my hubby's poison eyes include:

**hoods on sweaters or shirts
**short hair on women
**fluid fits... he much prefers a tailored fit
**bermuda jean shorts... I wear them anyway
**boy friend jeans
**anything he deems "sloppy"

It's funny.. he is a very laid back man on most subjects but has very strong opinions about my clothing. Thankfully we can come to agreements most of the time.

Patterned Pants- apparently my shiny patent boots are less OTT than my (tame to me) cobalt and black pants!

I was going to say that he doesn't have any since he generally showers me with compliments where my clothes are concerned...aside from the occasional teasing about my love of leopard print. BUT as I started reading everyone's responses, two came to mind:

1) short hair on women- The few times I've considered cutting my hair into a short style, he has protested and told me plainly that he doesn't like short hair on women.
2) anything too body con (unless it's lounge wear)- I'm still trying to get him to understand that skinny jeans are supposed to fit that way.

As far as my opinions about his clothes: he knows that I generally hate his choice of footwear (athletic shoes with just about everything- ugh!) and he has two shirts that I just don't like but he wears them anyway. I've often criticized him for dressing like an overgrown teenager, but it's like he can't figure out how to dress for his thirties. I've mostly dealt with it by buying him things that I like and know will look good on him, and he wears them and smiles when he gets compliments.

But, Shannon, sometimes I have to translate. For instance, when he first saw the plaid trousers I posted in my recent WIW, he said, "I didn't know you had golf pants!"

In him-speak it meant he liked them.

No, he doesn't play golf and doesn't admire golf style...

  • Short hair - "You're not a boy."
  • Straight hair - "Why doesn't it do the beach wave thing?"
  • Millions of beauty products - "But it looks so natural!"
BOYS. *stabbity stab*

What a great thread, Shannon. My DH has a poison eye for capri pants, especially thin tight ones or the wide legged. I don't wear them, or at least keep them denim, narrow fitting and about ankle length or knee length. He also doesn't like maxi skirts or anything new that length. Again, I don't wear them. He dislikes choppy cut hair and Birkenstocks too.

If my DH has a poison eye, I have no idea what it might be! He thinks that everything that I put on is perfect! (I know, I'm lucky in that regard!)

Interesting thread, TS!

My husband rarely comments on what I wear. His preference for me is conventionally classic outfits. I prefer these too, but often I add a touch of edge or drama- a pattern, peep toe booties or a bold accessory.

I know he doesn't like like my leather joggers (they aren't conventionally flattering over the butt) so I bought a pair of tight, straight, stretch leather pants too! I love and wear them both but select the latter if I am spending the day with him!

DH doesn't fancy turtlenecks, and when I was shopping for a wedding dress (30+ years ago!) and asked if there was anything special he wanted or didn't want to see, he asked that I not wear a high necked gown, and that I not 'cover my face'. I guessed he didn't want to fuss with a veil.

Most of the time I don't think he even notices, though if I wear something fit and flare or body con with heels, I get a 'you look nice'.

He likes smooth, straight, shiny hair, and I almost always get a compliment when I'm back from the hairdressers with flat ironed hair--but that isn't my reality.

I don't pay any attention to Hubby' s poison eye, if I did my wardrobe would be excruciatingly dull. Fortunately he likes very short hair and encourages me to wear it short.

DH doesn't like anything that looks too much of the world of his youth - long skirts, with long sleeves and hats. He has gotten used to the hats though. He has a strong visual sense with colors and will mostly remark on the color and try not to say much else!

I rarely ask, and he knows better than to volunteer the information! Generally when I ask him his opinion on something I am wearing, he avoids the question completely, kisses my forehead (easiest given how tall he is) and says, "You're beautiful." Smart man!

However, I have determined over the years that he thinks all high heels look the same. He has never once complimented me on a pair of heels; they just aren't his thing. He far prefers my "stompy shoes" and combat-type boots. He also has a preference for jeans (where he is normally out of luck, as I rarely wear them).

Do I indulge his preferences? On the rare occasion I know he really likes or dislikes an item of clothing I will make an effort to wear what he likes when I am around him and what he doesn't when I am not. But given that I never consult him prior to purchasing, his opinion never affects what I buy!

LOL, Shannon, especially re gladiators and not living in Roman times. It sounds like something my DH would say. He has a hard time dealing with my animal print shirt. I also remember, when I proudly showed him my new plaid flannel shirt (in a lovely plum and pink color), his only comment was that if I bought a straw hat, I would look like a cowgirl. Oh, and he'd love it if my hair was long enough to sit on, but that's SO not happening. All that being said, he's been showering me with compliments since I've been working on my style.

Short hair on me. I now keep it chin length or longer. We are both happier this way.

My new white converse shoes. I think they remind him of teenybopper locals bc the shoes are very popular here with the teens and 20-something's. I thought being white and combined with my MotG and casual clothes they'd skew more conservative but I guess not. I still happily wear them though I plan on wearing them more when he's not around.

Caged sandals. I'm debating on returning the VC elianas. I bought them but haven't worn them yet. When I showed him I got the reaction I expected. No love.

He's pretty honest with me. I guess I'm ok with that. He is great in his fashion choices and has recently upped his game which I appreciate.

Collared shirts. Oversized fits. Slouchy/baggy/harem pants (this is a tough style year for him, ha!). Pastels. Stripes.

As you know my DH is very opinionated about my clothes! He mostly likes my clothes but if he doesn't like something he will definitely let me know! He has lots of poison eyes, and often great zingers to go along with them.
1) Faux fur (especially faux fur jackets)--aka "Road kill" or "muskrat"
2) Leopard print--aka "Peg Bundy"
3) Camo print
4) Empire waists
5) Full makeup &/or bright or dark lipstick
6) Flower print pants--aka "clown pants"
7) Busy prints
8) Short hair

(Also, I haven't tried this, but I'm pretty sure harem pants would also make his list--he would have a field day joking about the load in my diaper!)

That said, I do have most of these items, except the faux fur jacket--he loathed that so much I had to return it (and I didn't even show him the leopard faux fur jacket, that one went back too!). But I do have some sweaters/jackets with faux fur trim, leopard shoes, camo jeans, empire waist peacock tunic and Magic dress, Chanel red lipstick, and my H&M floral pants. I just try not to wear them around him very often (else I have to endure the teasing!). I get the most compliments from him when I wear very classic outfits (solid colors like navy and red, turtlenecks, button down shirts, etc--I think he would love it if I dressed like Parisian chic all the time) but I think I would be bored stiff wearing the conservative style that he prefers!

As for his style, I don't mind whatever he wants to wear. I do like when he wears jeans and more fitted shirts. He has lost weight so a lot of his clothes are too baggy.

Mine gives opinions on outfits, but has never told me he disliked a certain item or color or whatever (since of late). Probably the YLF effect ... I have only gotten better and I know that

I have absolutely enjoyed reading all of your comments - there are some very definite themes going on here. It seems many of our SO's dislike:

  • animal print
  • BF jeans/harem pants
  • faux fur
  • various footwear choices - chunky, caged, high heel
Thanks for sharing with me and I wish I had the time this morning to respond to each of you individually

Oh yeah! I forgot -- like Natalie's husband, mine does not like bold/dark lipstick. Good thing, because it looks awful on me.

I forgot, too - mine doesn't like visible makeup.

Hmm, I'm not sure J has any true poison eyes except for possibly leggings-as-pants, which I am never going to wear anyway.

He prefers long hair on me, but likes the shorter hair too and says that it's clear I am much happier with shorter hair so that makes him happy too. =)

And other things, I think he doesn't quite get, but they grow on him after he sees them styled. Like my Fluevog boots, which I think he said were "really ducky" when I first got them, but now he really likes them.

As for his clothing? It's quite classic and a bit boring but I think it looks fine. (He does have an amazing collection of ties and bow ties though!) The only thing he owns that I actively dislike is this white dinner jacket, that is some kind of cheap polyester and looks awful. But it's part of his "uniform" for certain summer concerts for the chorus he sings in, so as long as he only wears it for that I'm OK. And he agrees that it's awful anyway.