jj@rabbit.UUCP (03/26/84)
Some notes on women's clothing as observed by a male: Over a long period, it's become evident that much of the women's clothing on the market is both constructed in an inferior fashion (as regards materials, workmanship, and durability) compared to male clothing, as well as being much more expensive than men's clothing. (We will, for the time being, leave out other important and often neglected quantites such as comfort, appearance, and practicality.) I live on the east coast, near NYC. While I don't know it for a fact, I'm assuming (information is obviously welcome, either to confirm or deny) that such is the case elsewhere. What I want to know is *W*H*Y* ????????? Why is it necessary for a woman to buy clothing more often than men (I'm talking about dresses/blouses/skirts/pants/shoes/outerwear, please, not nylons and the like) and to pay more for the clothes? I certainly agree that society, as it currently exists, seems to place a premium on a woman's appearance <expletive> and fashionability<deleted>. Even assuming that it is indeed desirable, and desired, that a woman be in the "correct fashion", why is it necessary for a woman to pay more money for a lesser product? (I'm assuming that for argument's sake only, to separate the issues as much as possible.) I have been of this opinion for quite a while, I thought I'd raise it now. I'm not really interested in leering males, long diatribes about the necessity/shallow-nature-of appearance, or a lot of other things. I am curious to know what other folks' perceptions of this situation are as regards clothing, and the basis for this ?discrimination?. I am certainly aware that there is some high quality women's clothing available, and occasionally at a reasonable price. I am also convinced (as is at least one other individual of my acquaintence) that such clothing, and outlets for same, are much harder to find than the male equivelant, while clothing stores/departments for the female tend to be much larger and ?better stocked?. -- TEDDY BEARS ARE NICER THAN PEOPLE--HUG YOURS TODAY! (If you go out in the woods today ... ) (allegra,harpo,ulysses)!rabbit!jj
saquigley@watmath.UUCP (Sophie Quigley) (03/27/84)
<bon appetit>
I have a hunch that the reason women's clothes are more expensive then men's
clothes is the same as the reason why dry-cleaning or adjustments on clothes
are more expensive for women than for men: it dates from the old idea that
women are supposed to saw and wash their own clothes, and women who don't
do such things are obviously spoiled lazy incompetent rich bitches who deserve
to pay for making other people do their jobs.
This is a purely subjective impression though, and I might be very paranoid in
thinking it, but then again I might not be.
Sophie Quigley
...!{decvax,allegra}!watmath!saquigleycmgiuliani@watrose.UUCP (cmgiuliani) (03/27/84)
First of all, let me admit that I have nothing whatsoever to support what
I am about to say here. It is just an idea that seems to me to be more
plausible than some of what I have read on the net.
The clothing industry, womens' included, is probably quite competitive.
This leads inevitably to the conclusion that women are not being gouged
simply because they are women. I am sure that any company which perceived this
to be the case would immediately stop gouging, for the price advantage.
So why is womens' clothing more expensive although less durable? (I must
take your word that it is) Because women are more concerned with how their
clothes look than how long they last. Men are concerned with how their clothes
look, but tend to place durability higher up on their priority lists -- if only
because the mens' fashions are much less volatile.
With womens' fashions changing so quickly and with the tendency for women
to place more importance on apperance, the clothing industry must put more
effort into just providing the bewildering variety of womens' clothing demanded.
In short, I am saying that the clothing industry's priorities are only a
mirror of their customers'. If it does not mirror your priorities, that is
because you are in the minority.
Albeit probably a growing minority ....
Carlo @ the U of Waterloowarren@ihnss.UUCP (Warren Montgomery) (03/27/84)
My own experience with clothing stores is that the variation in quality and price for women's clothing seems far greater than for men's. (Though this is changing). The stuff all starts out high, but the experience that my wife and I have had is that women's clothing seems to go on sale more frequently and at much deeper discounts than mens, so women who don't care whether if they have the latest colors and styles can pick up items at less than 1/3 of the original cost quite regularly. When was the last time any of the men out there bought pants at less than $5, or leather shoes at less than $10 (both items my wife has bought in the last 6 months). The very high quality stuff is of course less well discounted, but it's not necessary to pay high prices for cheap junk. There are lots of stores in this area (Chicago) claiming to be quality discounters of both men's and women's clothing. (There are whole shopping centers devoted to this). Our experience has been that the prices are frequently not significantly lower than elsewhere in these establishments, so as usual caveat emptor. -- Warren Montgomery ihnss!warren IH x2494
tims@mako.UUCP (Tim Stoehr) (03/28/84)
Could it be because women tend to wear clothes that are lacier, fancier, shinier, sheerer, etc. than men's clothes. Sure, lots of women dress plainly, but plain women's clothes seem to be just as durable as plain men's clothes.
jbf@ccieng5.UUCP (Jens Bernhard Fiederer) (03/29/84)
Since sewing, etc., is woman's work, most women do their own. The artificially high prices of women's clothing is meant as a punishment for those too lazy to do their own. (OK, for those who couldn't tell otherwise : :-)) Azhrarn -- Reachable as ....allegra![rayssd,rlgvax]!ccieng5!jbf Or just address to 'native of the night' and trust in the forces of evil.
wombat@uicsl.UUCP (03/29/84)
#R:rabbit:-263500:uicsl:16400053:000:397 uicsl!wombat Mar 28 14:56:00 1984 So how come with all this variety in women's clothing I can never find clothes I'd be willing to wear in public? Trying to find a good-looking suit with pants and *gasp* pockets! is ludicrous. I've been buying "men's" tennis shoes for years now; I think it's about time I started looking for clothes in the men's dept. Wombat "I hate "fashionable" clothes" ihnp4!uiucdcs!uicsl!wombat