(no subject)

[trinityvixen]

I love how when the only man coming to writing group is delayed, the ladies all set to talking about bra shopping. It makes me glad to hear (and sad, too, of course) that it is a universally trying process. No matter your cup size or circumference about the chest, there's always something that makes it impossible to buy bras at one point or the other. I'm not saying that we should be glad of this, but it's nice to know that women are as unique as I like to think we all are.

It also occurred to me in our discussion of prices that it's not fair there's not similiarly expensive must-have for men. I suppose a sports cup comes close, but not really. Makes me think of this presentation we saw in health class in high school about gender equality. Made me think of subconscious ways in which the gender war has gone in the era of political correctness. Yes, we should be damned worried about the overturning of Roe v. Wade, but there are still other, less obvious deficiencies that need looking after. One of them is the bra, oddly enough, more specifically the Wonder-bra. The presentation in health class I saw proposed we institute the "wonder-jock," a device to make a man's package more prominent in the way the wonder-bra enhanced smaller bust lines and put larger ones just that much more out there.

I think there was a proto-feminist rant in there somewhere, but I haven't the energy to keep it going.

Comments

[arcane-the-sage.livejournal.com]

It also occurred to me in our discussion of prices that it's not fair there's not similiarly expensive must-have for men.

In all fairness, as I learned from several of my female friends, the total cost of wardrobe is a bit higher for men than for women. I saw this first hand when a friend bought a week's worth of business attire for under $200 (when the male equivalent in the mens version of the same shop was easily in the $300+ range). Now as for the reasons for this, I'm not exactly sure. Are there more options for ladies? Are guys just more likely to go "Just give me one of those in size..."? I don't know. I've just seen that clothing options for males tend to be a bit pricier.

[earthrise.livejournal.com]

I want to know where your friends shop, because the trend you've stated is far from universal (I have two brothers, so my sample size is the same, but the conclusion is entirely opposite).

[arcane-the-sage.livejournal.com]

The times I have witnessed it first hand was at various malls (both in the city and 2 1/2 hours upstate).

[bigscary.livejournal.com]

I want to know where your MALE friends shop. I have trouble getting a SINGLE suitable suit+shirt+tie for <400.

But we do have it easier. We can cycle more tightly, due to ease of mix-match (and it's even easier if you don't need a True Suit).

[arcane-the-sage.livejournal.com]

Notice I said $300+. If you have a car and don't mind the 1 1/2 - 2 hour drive, there are a couple of good outlet places out on the island that you can pick up a good suit on sale for around $300. Plus also you can sometimes find some good deals at places like Men's Warehouse.

[bigscary.livejournal.com]

I have no trouble (SYMS!!!) getting a good suit for <300. The problem is getting more than one at a time at that price, along with a couple of shirts. I should also get some more ties.

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

I am going to shout out my ignorance right here:

Who the hell pays $300 for a suit? I used to work at Dress Barn, and we had suits for $100-150 when we had our suit sale, $200 at most. I think there's a question of how much people are expecting to pay and for what quality they're talking about.

As for suits, generally I think women get the better deal even if they don't get the better price because most suits come with skirt and pants (again, all based off of a summer in a clothing store), so they have more mix and match options, but as far as re-usal goes, men win. Women have to have more variety from jacket to shoes than men do. Women have to change lots of things to appear different; men seem to just be able to change a shirt or tie.

I think we need to move to Hawaii where the dress code is "Hawaiian shirts" all the time, men and women.

[arcane-the-sage.livejournal.com]

Note that $300 would buy a man an ok to good quality suit. I've seen good suits go for $500-$600. Now if you want to talk about the "great" category, then we can easily start talking $1000+

[bigscary.livejournal.com]

Easily. Dayle -- ask your father what he pays for suits he considers suitable for the office or court.

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

That's just it--aside from his two Matlock suits (a tan one and country blue one), they all look the same to me. Wouldn't be able to tell one from the other, so why would any one else? You rotate in the lighter ones on occasion, and people will think you change your suit everyday. Easy as lying!