I don't think some men realize that this quote seemed to be "a thing" long ago. Our mom's made us wear dresses to family gatherings. Where the boys could wear playclothes and play outside, girls were relegated to the house (maybe helping in the kitchen - dishes) when we wished we could be playing outside. The boys weren't expected to help hand wash a pile of dirty dishes. So, we were jealous of the boys being able to have fun. Wearing dresses was not fun or exciting as a girl growing up in the 50's.I think she was turned off when she was young and her mother always insisted on getting all dressed up, and being shown off like a doll.
In the current times, kids wear whatever they want to family gatherings - and most people have automatic dishwashers.
So, women may be lucky to be able to wear dresses in some respects, however, many choose to dress casual. I don't see men going around wearing nice clothes or suits to gatherings. It's a casual world.
