"Women dress up for other women".

[ReineD]

Yes I know women are aware that certain designs were developed to catch a man's eye ...
If a woman wears such a sexy dress and only attends a dinner with her girlfriends and ignores everyone else then how can you claim she is dressing up with men in mind?

It is an ego boost, as you say, but if she wears an outfit like that, she will want to appeal primarily to the guys, even if she has no intention of hooking up with anyone. She knows that women (unless they are lesbian or bi) will not react to the dress the same way a guy will. I also don't think she'd dress the same way should she go to strictly a women's affair and goes straight home afterwards.

You think some women don't want to get both reactions? They want to be considered sexy by both men (desire) and women (jealousy). They enjoy the power trip.

Precisely. But although the sexy dresser will know that she does get reactions from both, when there are men present, it is the sexual response (desire) from men that she's after. If there are no men in the room, most women there will not experience the same type of jealousy. There's no need to establish the same sexiness pecking order when the men are not present who will experience the desire (including the less sexy woman's date or partner who will notice the sexy dresser). Some women might still feel envious though, but about other things ... body weight, youth, or the price of the outfit, etc, but a woman can be envious without seeing boob, leg, and a$$.

And Jenna has a great point. Why would a woman drop hundreds of dollars on designer dress, designer handbag, designer shoes if men (excepting gays and CDs) don't have a clue what these items are. It is the look of the outfit not the name that interests men. So women buy designer labels solely to show off to other women.

I've worn designer outfits and I do think that generally the cut is nicer, the fabrics flow better, they do enhance the body and contribute to an overall sexier look (independent of the style), so even if a guy has no clue how much the outfit costs, he will appreciate the overall look (and will even appreciate it more if the outfit shows boobs, leg, or a$$).

Hmm...idk...she got a positive response from me. Lesbians/bis dress sexy too... I think it's safer to say that women may be dressing sexy just to evoke sexual thoughts in general.

Yeah, but you're bi! I think I mentioned in the original post with pics that unless the sexy sweater dress is a lesbian (I forgot to mention bi), she is dressing to appeal to men. I'm strictly hetero (except for my SO), and there's just no way I would have the same thoughts about that woman as a guy would.

----------------------------

To everyone: by making the points I've made, I'm suggesting that if the CDers who do dress suggestively or sexily (show boob, leg, or a$$), or however you want to put it (more than just blend) are not aware of their appeal to men, then they should. It is the men who will react to these outfits a certain way (if the CDer does go out this way, or posts the pics) ... not the women. And as I said earlier, it does boggle my mind that some CDers don't realize this.

[Shananigans]

Yeah, but you're bi! I think I mentioned in the original post with pics that unless the sexy sweater dress is a lesbian (I forgot to mention bi), she is dressing to appeal to men. I'm strictly hetero (except for my SO), and there's just no way I would have the same thoughts about that woman as a guy would.

----------------------------

To everyone: by making the points I've made, I'm suggesting that if the CDers who do dress suggestively or sexily (show boob, leg, or a$$), or however you want to put it (more than just blend) are not aware of their appeal to men, then they should. It is the men who will react to these outfits a certain way (if the CDer does go out this way, or posts the pics) ... not the women. And as I said earlier, it does boggle my mind that some CDers don't realize this.

Yeah, but a large part of the female population is either L or B. But, I mean, even straight girls do it...think about the magazines that are targeted to women. Pick up an issue of Cosmopolitan...look at the ads and count how many scantily clad women are in there. In that case, they are dressed scantily to get a woman to buy a product...but, the fact is that they are using the sex appeal to get the attention of the reader. And, you can't tell me that you've never been going to a party and you want to be the hottest girl in the room. Isn't that dressing for other women to some aspect...if only a competitive aspect?

I agree completely with your last statement. Dressing sexily is going to gain attention from EVERYONE. When a girl walks into a party wearing next to nothing and looking like a ho...what do all the other girls do? Get in a group and talk sh*t about her. But, I wonder...do CDs dress this way to seek this attention from men on some subconscious level? What's more feminine than passing so well as a woman that another man wants you? Not saying that this CD is bi or gay...just saying that we do things for attention that are pretty weird and we may not know the exact root of WHY we are doing what we are doing.

[ReineD]

But, I mean, even straight girls do it...think about the magazines that are targeted to women. Pick up an issue of Cosmopolitan...look at the ads and count how many scantily clad women are in there. In that case, they are dressed scantily to get a woman to buy a product...but, the fact is that they are using the sex appeal to get the attention of the reader.

That's because a woman recognizes when another woman is hot enough to appeal to the guys, and the mags' selling point is to show the women how to do this!

And, you can't tell me that you've never been going to a party and you want to be the hottest girl in the room. Isn't that dressing for other women to some aspect...if only a competitive aspect?

When I dress to make a man melt, it is to appeal to my SO (well, his guy side). I've worn short dresses clubbing that hug my derriere and emphasize my boobs, with thigh high boots, but I don't dress this way when I go out alone or with girl friends. I even went alone to this club a few years ago to see the drag show, and there was no way I was going to dress like that. If I were single though, I would.

I think the competitive aspect with other women does exist ... it's the pecking order I described earlier, but what's there to compete over when there are no guys in the room? It's hard to have this conversation without having specific outfits to look at and compare, but I do honestly believe that outfits emphasizing boobs, leg, & a$$ (sorry if this is so repetitive) are designed for men and not other women, unless of course the wearer is lesbian or bi, appealing to other lesbians and bis.

Would a woman wear sexy lingerie for another woman if she is hetero? No.

Edit
Getting back to my main point, are the CDers who post pics of themselves in lingerie or ultra sexy outfits on Flickr, or have suggestive poses in bed, appealing to hetero women? I don't think so. Who will notice the lingerie and the poses? The men (and other CDs). Are the CDers aware there will be more that just CDs who also appreciate the art of CDing, who will oggle the pics? I don't know, it's up to them to say.

When Docrobbysherry asks whether CDs are dressing for men or women, I assume she meant the sexier outfits, not every day wear, or even the more conservative evening wear:

I was trying to ask about those of u that "DRESS UP" especially FANCY! EXTRA NICE! Not regular everyday dressing. That's why I used the "very hi-heels" analogy.
It's NOT about u dressing to "blend" or for your "comfort". It's about dressing to STAND OUT on purpose!

[Jennie1975]

When I plan on going out, I try to dress like a gg my age would dress. In the same breath I dress how the guy in me likes to see women my age dressed. Granted I tend to play up my "breast" and my assets. *wink* yet I don't want to be the center of attention for the fact that I would be caught so to speak. That being said I dress for both of me! Lol

[tamarav]

[SIZE=4]I have heard this statement many times over the years in my outings. It appears that women dress to impress each other since all men can really see is an apparent female and just go from there.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4]Women notice each other, sort of like checking out the competition at every turn. Men enjoy seeing women in virtually any clothing, "they" seem to have rampant imaginations...[/SIZE]

[Pythos]

So here is a question.

Why don't women like to see guys in clothing that shows their bodies. Why do some go all catty about a guy that has the guts to wear tight "bum hugging " pants, or even a tight skirt. Even though my experience has been relatively good, I have read women's comments on other guy's that have tried this.

Google and read the reactions to skirts for men, or leggings for men. There are some truly ignorant and sexist statements that are made. What brings this about?

On a slightly different note. Following the idea that women dress sexy purely to attract men, and then stop doing such once they have attracted one and gotten hitched, then with that, men that wear fancy suits to show power, should start dressing like bums once they have acquired a wife. LOL

[docrobbysherry]

When Docrobbysherry asks whether CDs are dressing for men or women, I assume she meant the sexier outfits, not every day wear, or even the more conservative evening wear:

Yes, I did! However, please ignore what I said there! At this point the thread is going in a different direction!

Which is FINE with me! Because there r so many interesting, and valid perspectives to the, "Why do they dress that way?", question?

[ReineD]

Why don't women like to see guys in clothing that shows their bodies. Why do some go all catty about a guy that has the guts to wear tight "bum hugging " pants, or even a tight skirt. Even though my experience has been relatively good, I have read women's comments on other guy's that have tried this.

Women do like to see raw power in a guy, but with a masculine flavor. Women kinda notice how firm all those football players' a$$es are, for example. And if you've seen the iconic Marlboro Man images, the clothes reveal a powerful build underneath: wide shoulders, trim abs, strong legs. Have you ever seen the ads for the male strip shows targeted for women? The guys have powerful builds, are shirtless and wear very tight pants. They look masculine. Uniforms seem to be popular. And leather. Look through these sites:

http://www.hwmen.com/
http://www.manhattanmen.com/
http://www.labarehollywood.com/

[Pythos]

PPPPPPPPppppppth to those masculine uniforms. LOL

The cowboy look. Geez that is such a dated and homo erotic look.

As far as the football players, that is another story. They are essentially wearing modified Leggings on the field.

So why is it usually guys are in shapeless and baggy clothing. And you say a masculine edge. What makes it masculine though. That is the key is it not?

[ReineD]

So why is it usually guys are in shapeless and baggy clothing.

*sigh* I know. I don't get why they want to hide all their assets either. You know .... there's a reverse situation here. CDs bemoan the women who walk around wearing shapeless Ts, sweat tops, and sweat pants with sneakers. I also wish that more men would pay attention to their looks, and move beyond the baseball cap, huge shapeless T-shirts, and baggy jeans that would show their butt cracks if they weren't wearing boxers.

And you say a masculine edge. What makes it masculine though. That is the key is it not?

I think the build has a lot to do with it. These guys have muscular arms and wide chests. It's apparent that they work out. Notice how the male strippers all have shaved chests though? But even if the pants are tight, they are styled more like jeans than leggings and remember, they dress like this for the show. I don't see a lot of guys walking around town dressed like this.

I think what turns off the more gender conservative women is when a guy wear something that other guys might find 'sissy' looking, or effeminate.

[Barbara Dugan]

I did overlook this thread before, very interesting ...but on my particular case I dress the way I do to attract men. It always puzzled me because I think what image or particular way of dressing will be of interest to a guy but I really never been attracted to girls.

[Shananigans]

The cowboy look. Geez that is such a dated and homo erotic look.

Whaaaaaat? I'm going to have to get after you on this one.

Nothing looks better than a guy in some a$$ hugging Levis. So, that shoots that theory that women don't like "bum hugging" pants down all together. Because, I certainly love it and so do most of the GG's I know.

Oh, to everyone...I live in Alabama, if you couldn't tell.

Cough.

[Pythos]

Reine,

I think the reason why is very simple.

Men who where clothing that shows their shapes are also derided in some manner. They get called gay (in my case with my leggings which do show my leg build, my mom calls them fairy pants). or mentally unstable, or fashion victims. You have fashionistas putting guys down for wearing skinny jeans. Just type into google "men in leggings" or "men in skinny jeans", or similar. The insults and ignorance is astounding. Many of these statements are from women.

It is easier for guys to wear shapeless and baggy clothing, so they don't have to worry about their physique....like women need to.

It is mostly one sided and sexist. One thing that has helped me keep my weight down is my catsuits. Honestly. There is little worse than an overweight beer gutted dude in a catsuit

As far as those gender conservative women are concerned, get over it. Women wear stuff that should only be worn by men, and they don't get such vitrol from men, in general. All they do is support the "women are weaker and worth less than men" when they go along with the homophobic guys calling the guys in the "sissy" stuff, Gay.

My stuff is not sissy, but to homophobes it is exactly that mearly because it is what women wear.

[Satrana]

I've worn designer outfits and I do think that generally the cut is nicer, the fabrics flow better, they do enhance the body and contribute to an overall sexier look

While this may be true, women primarily buy designer labels for the label itself. It is about the exclusivity and bragging rights. That's why designer labels get away with gigantic profit margins. Having involvement in garment production I can tell you that the better materials and styling only add a few dollars onto the production cost. The other day my wife found a bag she really liked and wanted to but it but as she examined it more closely she realized that the designer label was only embossed into the leather and was largely invisible. She lamented there was no point in buying it and put it back.

And as I said earlier, it does boggle my mind that some CDers don't realize this.

That's because you are coming at this from the GG angle. Let me give you the GM angle. When men look at women they undress them in their mind. Women do not need to wear sexy clothes, so long as they are tight the body shape is still revealed and the man uses his imagination to fill in the rest. All a revealing dress does so give men direct visual feedback without needing to engage the imagination. Now the last thing a heterosexual man is going to do is undress another man. Due to the inherent homophobia in male culture, most men would actually get annoyed if their undressing program in their head gets tripped by a sexy outfit but then realize that is a man and so the program is brought to a screeching halt.

So male CDs can wear sexy clothes knowing that other heterosexual men are not going to be turned on by the clothes. When CDs are in emulation mode, they are really in a fantasy world where they imagine themselves to be GGs. So the power trip they are seeking to capture is the feelings of men desiring women not men desiring a man in a dress. That's why passing is important to most CDs. They are trying to capture the dynamics that surround GGs but know deep down that their male body will inevitably intervene.

[Pythos]

Satrana,

Speak for yourself. I do not undress women with my mind. Oh my God what an over statement.

There are times that yea, I may, but not women that are complete strangers.

At Folsom Fair my lady friend was wearing on of my catsuits, and I have to admit, I was following her curves as she walked in front of me. I was curious what she had chosen to wear under it, since this was her first time in one. Was I mentally undresseing her? OH YES. LOL. But that is because I have feelings for her, and we are friends. There were many beautiful women at that fair all in quite revealing oufits, and I did not mentally undress them. Their outfits ranged from enticing to blea. LOL.

[PrettyFlowingGown]

I dress up for me and how i want. I love long dresses and skirts and i dont care if they are not the trend or not. i've had women (gg's) come up to me and say "thats a beautiful dress". its a big apraisal in my opinion.

[Satrana]

There are times that yea, I may, but not women that are complete strangers.

Yes I should have clarified that it is women which men are interested in that will be undressed. So your individual take on sexuality will determine which women you consider desirable and will be undressed in your mind. Unless you are a sex addict then most women you meet will not be mentally undressed.

[sometimes_miss]

I wrote: Yet, no men give a rat's ass about designer names on clothes.

Then:

Many do, how else would you explain the popularity of brands such as Tommy Bahama, Ed Hardy, etc. Men's departments are full of "names" just as women's are. It's just that as a percentage, I'd guess that more women care than men. Still, plenty of men do care.

I've never heard a man mention who's suit he's wearing, shoe brand, or anything else for that matter in my 50 years on earth. The closest you get are guys who wear Rolex's and wear them to be seen. Yet I know three doctors who own and wear Patek Phillipe watches, who never mention it. You will also see men's clothing with the labels made to be removed after purchase (this doesn't include the various logo things like Polo, etc, where the logo is permanantly in the garment). I stand by my initial comment, and when a guy goes into a store for clothes, he's looking for (sorry, but thanks to Bobby Slayton on this one) clothes that make him look cool. Doesn't matter what brand it is, as long as it looks the way we want, and of course, fits. You don't usually see men wearing uncomfortable clothing or shoes that are going to make our feet ache at the end of a night. And, I defy you to pick out each name brand of men's penny loafers out of a set of 10 and name who made them (Unless, of course, you're into feet or a shoe salesman). But women all know who makes what shoes, how expensive each pair is, who owns which ones, and want each other to know it, too (Same with handbags). Men don't care if you bought your shoes for $5 at the BOGO sale at payless, as long as they make your legs and butt look good (again, unless the guy is into feet). What percentage of guys can look at a pair of women's shoes and be able to tell you who made them? <1%, I'll betcha. Same with women's clothing; but the WOMEN know! So, who are those women wearing those expensive shoes and clothes for? And don't tell me it's because the $1000 Manolo whatevers are so much more comfortable than the Kmart shoes (there are comfortable and uncomfortable shoes of all prices), I've seen plenty of rich women taking their shoes off under the tables at social events just like the women who wear cheap footwear.