Would it be odd for me to point out now that ballerina flats are a turn-on for me.
women's vs. men's departments
- Thread starter Rÿcher
- Start date
^Except it never was just about shoe departments. Read:
"Man, Fried Chicken is delicious!"
...is not the same as...
"Man, Fried Chicken is delicious, I see why so many black people like it!"
In case you missed it, this thread's the second one. Notice how not funny it would be even if it were a joke?
But I digress, lest I rekindle the "debate", which I would hate.
Add me to the list of guys who only buy shoes very infrequently, but will usually pay for quality. And also to the list of people who don't know any women who horde shoes. That's not to say that there's no truth in that women comprise a much greater percentage of clothing sales. But % of what, exactly?
I would venture that only a relatively small % of the population as a whole are prolific clothes shoppers, and that of those, most are probably women. Same with tech toys and men, most of whom only very infrequently buy new gadgets, but make up the larger % of people who do.
"Man, Fried Chicken is delicious!"
...is not the same as...
"Man, Fried Chicken is delicious, I see why so many black people like it!"
In case you missed it, this thread's the second one. Notice how not funny it would be even if it were a joke?
But I digress, lest I rekindle the "debate", which I would hate.
Add me to the list of guys who only buy shoes very infrequently, but will usually pay for quality. And also to the list of people who don't know any women who horde shoes. That's not to say that there's no truth in that women comprise a much greater percentage of clothing sales. But % of what, exactly?
I would venture that only a relatively small % of the population as a whole are prolific clothes shoppers, and that of those, most are probably women. Same with tech toys and men, most of whom only very infrequently buy new gadgets, but make up the larger % of people who do.
As to general stores not stocking as much choice in male items, perhaps it's because it's usually the long suffering wife, mother, and in some cases sister (I've seen this one myself), who go out to buy their men's personal items. The shops obviously recognise from which side their bread is buttered. OP, if you want all this to change, then more men need to stop being so damned reliant on their women!
Or just do what I do and buy everything in one big order every once in a while off the Internet.
As to general stores not stocking as much choice in male items, perhaps it's because it's usually the long suffering wife, mother, and in some cases sister (I've seen this one myself), who go out to buy their men's personal items. The shops obviously recognise from which side their bread is buttered. OP, if you want all this to change, then more men need to stop being so damned reliant on their women!
Or just do what I do and buy everything in one big order every once in a while off the Internet.
I find it essential that I try the clothes on before I buy them. It can be so much fun, too. Especially if you take the time to also try some stuff that is super horrible and you would never even dream of actually buying...
I am a girl and the most I've ever paid for shoes was $15.
I also have only bought a total of four pairs with my own money.
Don't stereotype.
I also have only bought a total of four pairs with my own money.
Don't stereotype.
I find it essential that I try the clothes on before I buy them. It can be so much fun, too. Especially if you take the time to also try some stuff that is super horrible and you would never even dream of actually buying...
I was talking about things like underwear, socks etc. I'm not exactly a common case because I just buy simple clothes that I can reorder. I buy Levi's 501 jeans because they don't ever change, for instance.
I didn't know it was possible to buy shoes. I thought they only came as gifts. 
I was never that big on shoes in the past, but now I find myself ordering a lot of them (I also usually have to look online for a decent selection because I wear a size 14). I think I have at least 15 pairs of different types of shoes at the moment, though some I don't wear very often.
A
Amaris
Guest
I had to think about that one for a minute before I remembered the alternate definition of "thong."
And no, I never spend more than $50 on shoes.
I rarely spend more than $30 on shoes, and that's only because I have to buy slip-resistant shoes for work.
My last pair of shoes were $11 tennis shoes from Walmart.
I can beat that:
Pair of Nike's, had them for 13 years. Bought them at a Wal-Mart for $7.
J.
I have in my closet
1 pair: Rothco Black Leather boot, combat ($50 a pair, usually last 11months, good for daily activities)
1 pair: Bates USMC Spec Boots ($200 and worth every penny, great for everything)
1 pair:Bates M9 combat boots (from my service days)
1 pair:Shoes, Dress (that only see the light of day when my dress blues do, not often)
and
1 pair: Vans skateboarding shoes (in the house only)
1 pair: Rothco Black Leather boot, combat ($50 a pair, usually last 11months, good for daily activities)
1 pair: Bates USMC Spec Boots ($200 and worth every penny, great for everything)
1 pair:Bates M9 combat boots (from my service days)
1 pair:Shoes, Dress (that only see the light of day when my dress blues do, not often)
and
1 pair: Vans skateboarding shoes (in the house only)
1. I have a pair of work shoes pretty much low-top work boots.
2. A pair of every-day shoes.
3. A pair of dress shoes.
All I need.
2. A pair of every-day shoes.
3. A pair of dress shoes.
All I need.
As to general stores not stocking as much choice in male items, perhaps it's because it's usually the long suffering wife, mother, and in some cases sister (I've seen this one myself), who go out to buy their men's personal items. The shops obviously recognise from which side their bread is buttered. OP, if you want all this to change, then more men need to stop being so damned reliant on their women!
Or just do what I do and buy everything in one big order every once in a while off the Internet.
I find it essential that I try the clothes on before I buy them. It can be so much fun, too. Especially if you take the time to also try some stuff that is super horrible and you would never even dream of actually buying...
This. As much as I something don't feel like it, trying stuff on is always pretty important for me. Especially with pants. Shirts less so, especially if they're from a shop I normally go to and already know how their sizes and fits run, but sometimes even they have to be tried on first.
And I agree with you about the more "wild" clothes. Sometimes you just have to see for yourself how that wacky shirt that you would never buy is going to look on you.
Rÿcher
Fleet Captain
Here's something, when shopping for socks, I like to peruse the women's section. It's not like there's anything that differentiates women's from men's socks other than the label. I especially like stripes and argyles over-the-calf.
I draw the line at shoes though. I wouldn't look good in heels.
Humor, I love it!
I draw the line at shoes though. I wouldn't look good in heels.
Humor, I love it!
Humor tends to work best when you don't constantly have to point out that it's humor or repeatedly seek acknowledgment of it.
Yes, I saw 'Generations.' That's not really the point though.
E
Elmo Dukat
Guest
I often wear SPOCKED's black socks. They work great in my winter boots (which are calf-height). Or in sneakers.
The problem I have with most women's socks is that they just don't fit right --- the ankle-height ones slip and disappear into my shoes, the dress stockings that are supposed to be knee-height stop mid-calf, etc. I have insanely long legs that are even long for a six-foot tall person (I have a disproportionally short torso).
I actually only buy men's shoes. Women's shoes just don't feel right on my feet. Plus guys have way better colors and styles. I pretty much only wear black or brown Van's, which are easy to find in men's shoes but really difficult in women's. Women's shoes are usually white with pink stripes and shit on them, it's irritating. And they are usually tennis shoes or look like track shoes, which I don't like. The only women's shoes I own are dress shoes, and even though they aren't heels (I refuse to wear heels) they are still painful to wear. Women's shoes never fit my arch correctly.
By that logic, men's makers should up their levels of planned obsolescene in order to keep men shopping more frequently. And indeed, many lower priced makers do exactly that. The quality of construction in menswear has deteriorated with more and more makers prioritising price over durability.
It's very expensive to do this in a neutral but stylish way. Better quality means natural & more expensive fabrics and more labour-intensive construction processes. Keeping this timelessly elegant requires very good designers. These are all expensive steps so a maker won't get a large market share following this model. It's more a niche luxury thing. Still, there are some women's makers that follow this model - Chanel (think the classic 2 piece Chanel suit), Loro Piana (muted but elegant looks), Ralph Lauren, Brooks again, etc, etc.
One archetype for a durable and moderately elegant daytime women's look is the somewhat preppy Sloane Ranger country-in-town look popularised in the 80s by Princess Diana. It fades in and out of wider fashion (it's coming back a bit at the moment), but tends to stick around as an undercurrent in one form or other in the meantime. The French call it "le look anglaise".
It's perhaps interesting to note that alongside simple dresses and heels, it also uses many staples of menswear in a feminine way - tailored shirts & suits, deck shoes, jeans, simple sweaters, barbour jackets, etc, etc. Don't know what that says, but I think it says something.
I'm SO glad this trend is over on this side of the pond. Lots of cute cheeky heels around this autumn instead.
Cashmere's a tricky beast. Not only the yarn itself but also how it's woven make a tremendous difference. If you stick to 2-ply at least, and made in Scotland, you're on pretty solid (if slightly more expensive) ground. Good makers include Ballantyne, Lyle & Scott, Begg, Johnstons, Pringle, etc.
Outside of Scotland, Loro Piana & Ralph Lauren Purple Label are also consistenly great.
The made in China 1-ply stuff tends to pill & fray very easily.
This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
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