Here in Texas where it’s very hot and humid (and I don’t work in a standard office), nice shorts for me are the most common. Brand name running shoes are a fitness indicator as well.
I was struck by how much Ashton Carter blended in with the line of military dress uniforms behind him. My guess is there is an element of militarism in mens suits. Also, high heels make women appear taller than they actually are which conflicts with your idea that they dress to appear smaller. Overall, while interesting, none of this is particularly surprising. Both are attempting to exploit wired-in preferential tendencies that evolved in us over the last million or more years.
I wonder: what does it say about gender expectations that women can wear suits like men, but men cannot wear dresses like women? Might it be because men are seen as giving up power by wearing traditionally women’s clothes?
I think we all give up power through wearing traditional women's clothes. The reason why (most) women still do it is that we (on average) gain some more while we lose some.
I think it is for reasons like this women complain so much. We are treading a fine line and very often we make the wrong decision. Getting power from sexiness takes some kind of skill. We don't all possess that skill in equal amounts. So probably many of us are giving up power in absolute terms when we participate in the sexiness game.
It could be merely cultural; kings and emperors traditionally dressed in very flashy ways.
But my sense is that by de-emphasizing frills and individuality, men fit the mold of a skilled worker--ready for orders, competently carrying out any task. Generally speaking, this streamlined appearance, without long hair or feminine curves, characterizes the appearance of a fit, young male. Tove describes men wearing muscle suits and looking like gorillas (which may not be that far out--they do call them "monkey suits"), but I think really men just try to look trim, tall, and broad-shouldered: able-bodied and useful to any woman who might need them.
There’s European influence to the suit.
Here in Texas where it’s very hot and humid (and I don’t work in a standard office), nice shorts for me are the most common. Brand name running shoes are a fitness indicator as well.
I was struck by how much Ashton Carter blended in with the line of military dress uniforms behind him. My guess is there is an element of militarism in mens suits. Also, high heels make women appear taller than they actually are which conflicts with your idea that they dress to appear smaller. Overall, while interesting, none of this is particularly surprising. Both are attempting to exploit wired-in preferential tendencies that evolved in us over the last million or more years.
I wonder: what does it say about gender expectations that women can wear suits like men, but men cannot wear dresses like women? Might it be because men are seen as giving up power by wearing traditionally women’s clothes?
I think we all give up power through wearing traditional women's clothes. The reason why (most) women still do it is that we (on average) gain some more while we lose some.
I think it is for reasons like this women complain so much. We are treading a fine line and very often we make the wrong decision. Getting power from sexiness takes some kind of skill. We don't all possess that skill in equal amounts. So probably many of us are giving up power in absolute terms when we participate in the sexiness game.
It could be merely cultural; kings and emperors traditionally dressed in very flashy ways.
But my sense is that by de-emphasizing frills and individuality, men fit the mold of a skilled worker--ready for orders, competently carrying out any task. Generally speaking, this streamlined appearance, without long hair or feminine curves, characterizes the appearance of a fit, young male. Tove describes men wearing muscle suits and looking like gorillas (which may not be that far out--they do call them "monkey suits"), but I think really men just try to look trim, tall, and broad-shouldered: able-bodied and useful to any woman who might need them.