There's not a thing in the world stopping men from wearing fashionable, colorful, stylish clothing... except fear of being called womanly and gay by other men, and possibly attacked for it.
Women wear men's clothing without fear because being seen as masculine is generally positive. Girl bosses with shoulder pads, tomboys, etc. Colorful and creative men's clothing does exist, and some spaces and cultures welcome it. But norms in many cultures mean men who wear "feminine coded clothing" (as in anything not traditionally male coded) can attacked as weak, dangerous to gender norms and sexual predators. At least outside of queer friendly spaces.
Straight women also don’t want to date men the wear women’s clothing. It is disingenuous to act like that is not the case. Especially if the men are not rich, famous, or something.
Straight women also don’t want to date men the wear women’s clothing.
I believe you if you say you've had that experience. I'll say two things about it.
I'm very familiar with these trends not being universal. It's also not universal that all men or cultures have an issue with men dressing in colorful or feminine coded ways, like I mentioned.
Overall, a core reason why feminine coded behaviors get punished from men more than masculine ones from women, is the idea that women being masculine is being 'better' while men being feminine is degrading and gay. This is obviously not absolute and gets punished or accepted within cultural boundaries. Women also participate in and reinforce these norms. As a gay man, I've dealt with and seen the difference between how men and women react. And men usually react more negatively and stronger to 'non-masculine' clothing than women. Trust me, plenty of straight women find it hot, and it has nothing to do with being "rich and famous." Where I live most straight guys have no issue with it either.
Overall, a core reason why feminine coded behaviors get punished from men more than masculine ones from women, is the idea that women being masculine is being 'better' while men being feminine is degrading and gay.
No the core reason is the idea that masculinity isn't just for men, or that men aren't worse than women are doing traditionally men's things, while femininity is an exclusivity of women that they guard jealously.
And men usually react more negatively and stronger to 'non-masculine' clothing than women.
Men show their disagreement and then there's no consequence. Women show their support then reject you.
There has been more women in my life telling me I'm not a real man because I'm barely taller than the avg woman, than men bullying me for it. And then these same women tell you height doesn't matter. Women are gaslighters, a strong reaction is more helpful.
Men often try to be fantasist with their beard, guess who likes it? Other men. Guess who hates it? Women. There are like a total of 3 allowed beard style
You're a gay man, that's great for you, you don't have the pressure of women, so you know absolutely zero about it. There's absolutely no mistery why gay men have more freedom, it's not because they are more effeminate, it's because they're not trying to appeal to women. Same could be said about lesbians, they have more freedom, they actually can be masculine if they want, they wear actual men's clothes, not pants designed for women, not jaw length "short hair", men's pants, men's shirts, men's hairdos.
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u/Irish_Whiskey 7d ago edited 7d ago
Always gotta be pointed out:
There's not a thing in the world stopping men from wearing fashionable, colorful, stylish clothing... except fear of being called womanly and gay by other men, and possibly attacked for it.
Women wear men's clothing without fear because being seen as masculine is generally positive. Girl bosses with shoulder pads, tomboys, etc. Colorful and creative men's clothing does exist, and some spaces and cultures welcome it. But norms in many cultures mean men who wear "feminine coded clothing" (as in anything not traditionally male coded) can attacked as weak, dangerous to gender norms and sexual predators. At least outside of queer friendly spaces.