Archive for październik, 2007

Skirts for women, trousers for men &

środa, październik 31st, 2007

Fashion as any different part of human life has it`s own stereotypes. Many years ago it was said: long hair, scarves, skirts and make up are for women, ties, short hair, trousers and suits are for men. Are those days a history now?
Stereotypes are sometimes helpful in our lives. They present a system by which we can live easily. Also an easy-to-gauge archetype and if they are to strict they`re closing people`s thinking in schemes. We don`t like new ideas and like to believe that everything is black or white - in fashion: for women or for man.

Many women believe that tights were made specially for them and laugh if they partners start to wear them. Those women are wrong. In the beginnings of tights their only users were men. They not only invented them but till XIX century didn`t let women to wear them. At those times wearing tights was a sign of good birth, an element of man`s aristocratic wardrobe. While closer to our times their range decreased and they became more popular and ordinary. Also a piece of women`s wardrobes. If man wants to have warm clothes the only thing left are warm trousers.
Women don`t remember that they had to fight to wear man`s trousers and ties. One of the reason of this battle was to have a privilege to practical and comfortable clothes. In some aspects women and man are just the same - it`s a willing to have comfort, stay healthy and safe. According to that the stereotype that the real man don`t wear scarf is only a slogan. The reality is totally different. When it`s cold also a man needs to stay warm no matter what the weather. That`s why they appreciate wearing scarves. For example cashmere scarf or shawl also gives a finish to a `look`, pleasure in it`s unique touch. Mens scarves are usually in different colours than women`s and the only shinny scarf might not look good on a man`s neck.
What about skirts? The classic one are still tend to be worn only by women. The stereotype that man are only wearing trousers is too strong and we can`t free from that. And are we forgetting about Asian culture where men are wearing kimonos and Scottish culture where every man has it`s own kilt? Perhaps it isn`t a totally good example (real kilt-lovers might feel offended when putting kilt into the same basket with skirts) but this may show that also man may look good not only in trousers-shape clothes.

Every year brings a new changes to fashion. And after time those revolutions are becoming natural - but first they must break the rules and stereotype thinking.