why is women can wear mens clothe but men can't wear womens clothes?

Question

just wondering why women lost there flair to dress in skirts and dresses and wear pant suits

Answer 1

because a man would look pretty funny wearing a dress and high heels to work, school ect...

Answer 2

Well, they can obviously, it's just that people get more worked up about it. I think that people are more accepting of women doing something stereotypically masculine (though not always) because they are a little more intimidated by men being in touch with their feminine side, and women's roles in society have been evolving gradually. Of course people did initially get hysterical over women wearing bloomers in the 1880's I think and then trousers in the 1930's so maybe men's time will come too, when they can try something outside of their traditional styles and it will become more mainstream. I don't see it as losing a certain flair, just adapting to the modern world because if a woman works and/or isn't at home all day, her clothes have to be more practical and allow her to actually...move!

Answer 3

It wasn't "their flare" Dress codes for women were designated by men. Dresses, skirts, high heels, etc are very restrictive to movement by design.

Also, as a matter of masculinity and femininity beyond clothing, masculinity is more acceptable than femininity in western culture, the elevator of status goes up, not down in this hierarchy. Masculinity = respect, and the ability to be taken serious as a strong, capable, intelligent being by the majority of the population.

I answered a question earlier and the breakdown highlights why masculinity is often more desireable than femininity.

"It is through the enforcement of gender boundaries that boys construct their social status...Masculinity is maintained through a hegeonic process that excludes feminity and alternate masculinities. (P 177 Mcguffey and Rich)"

Hegemonic masculinity is often exerted in order to horde and control resources including priviledge.

For boys, learning gender and understanding the perameters of status in the boys circle, the book explains on page 173 that:

Status = Power.
Rank = Athletic Ability.

4 Characteristics of the formation of hegemonic masculinity page 174:
Masculinity = Better than femininity
Detach emotionally
Be competitive
Interact with women as sexual objects (tell sexual jokes about them, sexually harass them with words, body language, or gestures et.)

These agressions maintain masculine hierarchies:
Exclusion, agrression, and humiliation

Exile is an especially effective threat to keep boys acting masculine because masculinity is attained through ones performance in front of others, especially in front of other boy. Exiling a boy from the group means he can no longer perform for the group to assert and maintain his masculinity.

Isolation marks the boundaries of feminity. That is, excluding girls from boys games marks a boundary between boys and girls so girls can't challange the boys' positions of masculinity. This also keeps girls from accessing equal rights and resources, and means to gain equal self confidence, this continues throughout life and elevates into more serious social inequalities.

Answer 4

it is all about power. Men are considered more powerful in society. So when women started dressing like them..it was a power competition.
A man wearing a dress would be taking a step down power wise.

Answer 5

men can so wear womens clothes. they just don't stick out in the right places.

Answer 6

That is not true. I see my share of skirts and dresses....where I live anyway (metro detroit)

Answer 7

Why the hell do you want to were a dress. Dose your boyfreind think your cute in a dress and pumps you HOMO

Answer 8

because women look sexyyy on tight jeans, and I dont think you would want to see a man with a mini skirt sitting down with his legs open, now would you?;(

Answer 9

WE are tired of men looking up our skirts. ANd we are also tired of cold winters on bare legs.IF you can have warm legs we can too.

Answer 10

They can, it's called cross dressing..