Why are women's clothes so much better?

[ReineD]

Starr, I totally agree. The standard of dress for both men and women has changed considerably beginning in the 60s, and few people today know how to dress. I dare say they can't afford it. I include myself in this. The main culprit is the declining purchase power of the dollar. Families in the 50s and 60s could survive on one salary. Now they need two.

I'm not much into the idea that women's clothes are desirable just because they're "women's" clothes. There are plenty of looks which are just plain ugly

Very true. My SO and I were looking at a clothing catalog tonight and there is not one thing that neither she nor I would buy. The clothes were colorful, but woefully out of date. There was an overabundance of gauze, flowers, and frill, in contrast with lime green and fushia pants and skirts that are limiting in terms of what they can be paired with. My SO told me that she has learned to keep her bottom pieces (pants & skirts) neutral and vary her tops, rather than to do the opposite. Much easier on the budget that way. Some of the clothes in that catalog (and in many other catalogs) were just plain ugly in their styling, cut, and color choice.

And, I've seen enough "mutton trying to look like lamb" outfits to make me wince, we've all seen the 55 y.o. 5'9", 235 pound linebacker lookalikes who insist on wearing leather miniskirts and long platinum blonde wigs. That wouldn't be stylish on a genetic woman, let alone on a CD.

Another great point. I see older CDers here wearing things that belong on younger, much slimmer girls that I wouldn't wear despite my being tall and a size 8 (I'm in my 50s). But, there is nothing wrong with dressing like this in private for their own enjoyment or for posting pics in the Gallery. Or even if they wear these things to CD support groups or TG friendly nightclubs. I'm sure if they ventured out in the mainstream, they'd dress more age appropriately.