I think that some female garments are very comfortable to wear as a man, just unacceptable in public. For example, I see no reason why a man shouldn't wear a skirt instead of pants or a leotard instead of undershirt and undies. It seems that fashion has been genderised beyond reason there. Women have evolved, they can wear pretty much anything they like without being suspected to be pervert, with the small exception, that they are supposed to cover a bit more of their bodies than men. It seems that men are pretty much condemned to wear functional clothing with dull colours and as little variety as possible.
Well, I got a second thought about this and in fact, some garments aren't exactly forbidden for men and only the sensitive will notice a man wearing such. Probably pantyhose (except for a doctor or nurse who has to examine your legs), longer boots (not too long and no high-heels) as well as anything that doesn't instantly crash with the male body. The limits for wearing such garments are in our brains. Frankly speaking, I often prefer seeing another average man wearing something before I dare to do so too (thought I can't remember having seen a man in a shiny red oil-cloth windbreaker and I am wearing mine as often as possible).
Except for explicitly female garments as skirts, bikinis, bras etc., there are some more limits to men's wear that I discovered during the last years:
Boots become shorter and shorter. It actually seems as if men never have cold lower legs. The longest "normal" boots just go over the ankles and alternatively, there are horse riding boots, wellingtons (in black and yellow, according to chemical classification etc.), boots for skieing and military boots. All to be used only on purpose (except for the military boots which work as identification tag for certain subcultures). This is quite a recent development over the last few decades. During the last century, women always had the longer boots but not that much longer than today.
The next phenomenon was temporary only. Hoods on jackets or even hoodies were extremely rare for men for almost 10 years (in Germany at least). First, hoods vanished into the collars, then they vanished completely, only a few wintercoats, -jackets and functional clothing survived.
Men are to wear baggy clothes, perhaps concealing the lack of muscles, but I doubt that, since woman have similar problems and they can chose anything from skintight to super baggy to their liking. A man wearing a tight top is considered gay, wearing tight jeans seems okayish, but you are supposed to have impressive legs and still won't find them in the men's department. Ok, some athlets have no choice but wearing tight tops, but they are too masculine to appear gay unless they are wearing pink or black leather. But I am talking about fashion for the average man.
Skirts are almost completely banished from men's wear, except for folcloristic purposes and a few attempts that haven't got far yet. I actually think, that skirts are quite shape-sensitive. Women do know about this and if you check better online-shops, you will find guides that explain what type of skirt is best suited for which body shape. I find it quite sad, that a few guys who try to promote skirts for men have no eye for that and post photographs of men with no hips, strong body and ultra-tight maxi skirt. If that is eventually going to be in fashion, I will abstain. Designer skirts for men look much better. But I actually think that most skirt styles can be worn by some men, they only need the right match. A skinny man looks good in a hutu, an athlete will be well suited in a roman battle skirt, etc. (remember, this thread ignores the fetish potential of clothing). A skirt, and sometimes nothing underneath, is a very comfortable garment and men don't even risk cystitis.
And what about leotards? A bit complicated in the bathroom, but that is even worse for women. Having a good body shape, both, men and women look good in a leotard. I really like leotards in cold weather because you don't ever risk an uncovered (and cold) waist. The only reason I can see is that they tend to be skintight and that is a no-go for men.
Of course there are a couple of very gender specific garments. Bras are useless for men, men also don't need ultra-small tops, they can just go topless instead. As for women, I can only think of condoms, but they aren't really garments...
And there is "the other" function of clothes, to enhance the body shape and make the wearer more sexy. But that applies more to style and design than to the general type of clothes. but indeed, I am sure there won't be many unisex-skirts or leotards anytime soon. I am sure it is no problem to make designs that suit every average human on earth. but especially skirts and leotards are real good shapers for the body.
Another type of garment is some sort of gloves, actually not really gloves but the ones that have no fingers at all, ust a tube with an extra hole for the thumb. Well, these aren't so important for the general idea, since they appeared for fashion purposes only. However, I find them very useful, for example when playing organ in a church in winter (yep, I do play the organ) and they are nice for out-door smokers during cold days.
Last thing to mention for now: Colours, patterns and fabrics. Men have a small choice again. T-shirts and hoodies may be of almost any colour (except for pink and violet of course) but except for silk shirts, leather jackets, leather pants (for the daring), and leather ties (for those who like jeans-shirts), shiny materials are almost strictly forbidden. Fine narrow stripes have to be vertical and on business shirts, and except for very silly stuff ("this belly grew on XXX-Beer", themed socks and ties etc.) and lables of expensive brands, decoration is extremely sparse.
But there is one difference between women's and men's clothes that I won't ever understand: Why do buttons have to be on different sides???
There are probably more strange rules in fashion, but I think I mentioned the ones that bother me most. I have established my own rules in the meantime, keeping in mind public opinion though. But in case there will be significant changes in the future, I will enjoy them. I wonder how others think about this.
Well, I got a second thought about this and in fact, some garments aren't exactly forbidden for men and only the sensitive will notice a man wearing such. Probably pantyhose (except for a doctor or nurse who has to examine your legs), longer boots (not too long and no high-heels) as well as anything that doesn't instantly crash with the male body. The limits for wearing such garments are in our brains. Frankly speaking, I often prefer seeing another average man wearing something before I dare to do so too (thought I can't remember having seen a man in a shiny red oil-cloth windbreaker and I am wearing mine as often as possible).
Except for explicitly female garments as skirts, bikinis, bras etc., there are some more limits to men's wear that I discovered during the last years:
Boots become shorter and shorter. It actually seems as if men never have cold lower legs. The longest "normal" boots just go over the ankles and alternatively, there are horse riding boots, wellingtons (in black and yellow, according to chemical classification etc.), boots for skieing and military boots. All to be used only on purpose (except for the military boots which work as identification tag for certain subcultures). This is quite a recent development over the last few decades. During the last century, women always had the longer boots but not that much longer than today.
The next phenomenon was temporary only. Hoods on jackets or even hoodies were extremely rare for men for almost 10 years (in Germany at least). First, hoods vanished into the collars, then they vanished completely, only a few wintercoats, -jackets and functional clothing survived.
Men are to wear baggy clothes, perhaps concealing the lack of muscles, but I doubt that, since woman have similar problems and they can chose anything from skintight to super baggy to their liking. A man wearing a tight top is considered gay, wearing tight jeans seems okayish, but you are supposed to have impressive legs and still won't find them in the men's department. Ok, some athlets have no choice but wearing tight tops, but they are too masculine to appear gay unless they are wearing pink or black leather. But I am talking about fashion for the average man.
Skirts are almost completely banished from men's wear, except for folcloristic purposes and a few attempts that haven't got far yet. I actually think, that skirts are quite shape-sensitive. Women do know about this and if you check better online-shops, you will find guides that explain what type of skirt is best suited for which body shape. I find it quite sad, that a few guys who try to promote skirts for men have no eye for that and post photographs of men with no hips, strong body and ultra-tight maxi skirt. If that is eventually going to be in fashion, I will abstain. Designer skirts for men look much better. But I actually think that most skirt styles can be worn by some men, they only need the right match. A skinny man looks good in a hutu, an athlete will be well suited in a roman battle skirt, etc. (remember, this thread ignores the fetish potential of clothing). A skirt, and sometimes nothing underneath, is a very comfortable garment and men don't even risk cystitis.
And what about leotards? A bit complicated in the bathroom, but that is even worse for women. Having a good body shape, both, men and women look good in a leotard. I really like leotards in cold weather because you don't ever risk an uncovered (and cold) waist. The only reason I can see is that they tend to be skintight and that is a no-go for men.
Of course there are a couple of very gender specific garments. Bras are useless for men, men also don't need ultra-small tops, they can just go topless instead. As for women, I can only think of condoms, but they aren't really garments...
And there is "the other" function of clothes, to enhance the body shape and make the wearer more sexy. But that applies more to style and design than to the general type of clothes. but indeed, I am sure there won't be many unisex-skirts or leotards anytime soon. I am sure it is no problem to make designs that suit every average human on earth. but especially skirts and leotards are real good shapers for the body.
Another type of garment is some sort of gloves, actually not really gloves but the ones that have no fingers at all, ust a tube with an extra hole for the thumb. Well, these aren't so important for the general idea, since they appeared for fashion purposes only. However, I find them very useful, for example when playing organ in a church in winter (yep, I do play the organ) and they are nice for out-door smokers during cold days.
Last thing to mention for now: Colours, patterns and fabrics. Men have a small choice again. T-shirts and hoodies may be of almost any colour (except for pink and violet of course) but except for silk shirts, leather jackets, leather pants (for the daring), and leather ties (for those who like jeans-shirts), shiny materials are almost strictly forbidden. Fine narrow stripes have to be vertical and on business shirts, and except for very silly stuff ("this belly grew on XXX-Beer", themed socks and ties etc.) and lables of expensive brands, decoration is extremely sparse.
But there is one difference between women's and men's clothes that I won't ever understand: Why do buttons have to be on different sides???
There are probably more strange rules in fashion, but I think I mentioned the ones that bother me most. I have established my own rules in the meantime, keeping in mind public opinion though. But in case there will be significant changes in the future, I will enjoy them. I wonder how others think about this.
eady, tights (I like the smooth feeling of nylons on my skin). Remember the times, when noble men worn knee trousers and tights and additionally even shoes with (small) heels and clasp.