Women and trousers - a repost from "Fashion and Accessories" ...?

Question

I am reposting the below as I resolved the question before I go away but still would like further comments - I shall read on return -

When I was a girl I used to wear my older brothers' old shorts to play in (and the fact that they had had good use out of them and they were still fit for me to wear shows that you don't need teflon coating on children's clothes) but my Father out a stop to that when I was about thirteen and looking back I am glad for it.
I certainly would not have been allowed jeans (nor were my brothers) even for play.
I never liked trousers on a women even an expensive trouser suit and have I never worn such as an adult.
These days many young women think it smart to go out in jeans and some even wear men's underwear - boxer shorts.
Are they afraid of their femininity?
Policewomen and others may wear trousers (so did the "Land Army" women during the war) but off duty you can be sure that they dress as *women*.
What is the problem with celebrating what we are?

The original question is linked to below but I realise that it is a "Society and Culture" question not just a fashion one by the answers there -

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoElsWw288xGLmQQ0UQisyggBgx.?qid=20070807060924AAzyhlM

Answer 1

Joan, you have echoed my question that I put in 'etiquette' (clearly the wrong place, judging by the response).
Please take a look at it and answer, I need all the support there I can get!
I absolutley agree with you 100%!

Answer 2

If clothing does not make the man ,then the same must hold true for women.I'd like to think that I am not so shallow I judge a person on what they wear.I think clothing can be restrictive and limit what activities you can do.My mother was in the land army.I'm sure the fact the war was on and clothing was probably rationed that women did a lot of clothes sharing.( and making do)Longer skirts can be a hazard on stairs especially if your heel catches in the hem.Do you remember giving piggy back rides to your children and did you ever try to do it while wearing a skirt or dress? Women have been slaves to fashion for far too many years.Whether a woman chooses to wear skirts or pants a woman is her most feminine in the act of intimacy and I can pretty much guarantee their is no clothing at all.This is 2007 and in today's busy world I think there are bigger issues than pants or skirts.Freedom is about being able to make choices.Take care.

Answer 3

Your personal preference is not a universal truth.
Lots of women think they look very feminine in trousers - after all, it is only social conditioning that leads us to believe that skirts are inherently 'womanly', and anything else is masculine.

Skirts are impractical sometimes- they are cold in winter, they blow around, and unless you are very thin, they hurt to walk in because your legs rub together.
I like skirts, true, but I don't think they hold the key to ultimate femininity. And most of the time they don't fit in with my lifestyle.

I think you need to realise that liberated, modern women can and will celebrate their femininity in many ways.

How did you feel when a man (your dad) told you your behaviour and manner of dress had to be restricted becuase you were a girl? Pretty bad, at first, I bet. Did you like wearing those shorts? Were they practical? How did you feel the first time you *had* to wear a dress to play in instead of shorts?

Women should not be restriced because they are women, full stop.

Answer 4

Can clothing alone protect women from the hands of sick minded men? Answer is No! No country on earth can claim that women are absolutely safe. In all third World countries (Muslim and non-Muslim) women are more often oppressed by men then western world, even though those countries have more conservative dress system. Even Burkha will not be able to save her from molestation or else. Men should learn to respect women as human beings.

Answer 5

as an ex police woman i assure that most of us wear trousers on and off duty- they are far more comfortable and practical i only wear a dress when I'm going somewhere very dressy where my husband is wearing a dinner suit. I'm glad to say that most women don't allow men to dictate what they can wear and even my 80year old mother and 90 year old auntie wear trousers most of the time - in accepting that what you wear is your business - please do not assume that wearing a dress is what makes you feminine. i am female ,50 years old ,very fit and not bad looking - i know that i look like a woman no matter what i wear and so i think do most women. i think you would be hard put to find a woman who is afraid of her femininity these days and you would also be hard put to find a woman with such dated views as yourself - these days we do as we like madam not as we are told.

Answer 6

good god woman! you are obsessed with clothing!!!!! there really is more important things in life! how about letting people decide what they think is appropriate for themselves to wear? you dont have to wear a skirt to be feminine. breasts are feminine, shall we all have them hanging out to "celebrate" our feminity?! no didnt think so! its rediculous! i see your point about clothing being more robust. but things just are not made that way anymore. we live in a throwaway society. and that applies to everything. get over this obsession and the other obsession you have with your daughter in laws choice of clothing for HER children. with all due respect you sound an absolute nightmare of a mother in law! if we listened to every possible warning regarding dangers to our health then we wouldnt eat, drink and would be walking around in flour sacks. i've said it before and said it again. no study or piece of research is unbiased. someone funds that research and computer programs are used to show whatever you want to show as results. dont believe everything you read joan and get off the daughter in laws back and stop turning your relationship with her into a battle of wills as you have already lost. you've had your children and raised them how you saw fit, so now you stand back and let her raise HER children how she see's fit. if you dont agree then its tough. no one made you grand poohbah or made you chief of the clothing/fashion police! sadly its not your day anymore. have a good holiday tho, hopefully you'll take the time to get some perspective on the issues you clearly have.

Answer 7

We have the vote now, and we have women's lib, plus it is 2007! So that pretty much gives me the right to wear ANYTHING I want to wear, including my husband's pants as well! ( I won't though, he has no style.)
The 1800's are gone! Thank god! And the age where you 'had to wear dresses, is gone as well! If you choose to wear a dress, be my guest and wear it! But, I also have a choice, and I think jeans, shorts, and slacks are more comfortable! And when I decide to wear a dress? I have several to choose from!

Answer 8

what do you mean by 'celebrating what we are'? do you mean that showing leg is a celebration of womanhood?

so are male athletes femenine when they wear shorts?

and how exactly are jeans masculine?

Don't be so slutty to think that women have to show leg to be women. Perhaps clothes are also worn for warmth, comfort and practicallity, not just for attracting people.

Answer 9

I think the idea that you have to wear a skirt to be feminine is extremely out dated.

Answer 10

i love my jeans n t shirt ... and so does my son when i run around playin with him without checkin my clothes are all perfect ,