What Men Want
From a story in the Daily Mail, check out how women dress and how their men would dress them if they could. Your thoughts?
Thanks, AB!
What Men Want
From a story in the Daily Mail, check out how women dress and how their men would dress them if they could. Your thoughts?
Thanks, AB!
This was adorable! Most of the guys did a good job -- except for polka-dot jumper guy. Not sure what he was thinking. I would like to try this experiment with my boyfriend, but I fear I would wind up in some odd cosplay thing.
sofar at April 4, 2011 7:51 AM
... the Daily Mail?
Are you serious?
Ben David at April 4, 2011 7:57 AM
Does anyone else find it strange that a "fashion assistant" (the first subject in the piece) has absolutely horrid taste when it comes to her own "fashion"?
AlS at April 4, 2011 8:10 AM
... the Daily Mail?
Are you serious?
British papers can be pretty terrible for accuracy (including the respected ones -- an ev psych researcher had a "reporter" for the London Times invent what he said pretty much wholesale).
However, just to sneer for sneering's sake...?
Do you think these women aren't really the girlfriends of the men pictured? What possible lies or flaws could be in a piece like this?
Amy Alkon at April 4, 2011 8:13 AM
@AIS: Yes. She looks like a crazy bag lady.
I also think it's funny that she said the outfit her boyfriend picked for her isn't leaving anything up to the imagination. The dress is fingertip length, and there's nothing showing on top.
I *hate* the tights-with-shorts "trend."
ahw at April 4, 2011 8:19 AM
I think they guys did good overall. I like the polkadots jumpsuit, she looks young and can carry it off. I'm not a fan of the short dress either. She doesn't look awful, but I'd sure never wear it anywhere buy a nightclub.
Dh went clothes shopping for m for christmas. I liked what he got, and obviously he liked it, so I've been buying things in that vein lately. It never hurts to take a hint from someone who cares for you, and needs to be hot for you!
momof4 at April 4, 2011 8:41 AM
Most women don't seem to really care about their partners opinion on hair style or clothes. Who are they dressing for?
david at April 4, 2011 8:53 AM
Other men? (ba-dum-bum!)
Juliana at April 4, 2011 9:44 AM
heh, notice how the women suddenly looked a lot more feminine?
Huh, maybe that's what a man wants? for the record I like the jumpsuit... it is pants but very stylish...
Interestingly, I only ever saw my ex-wife [of 10 years] in a dress twice, one at a friend's wedding... [18 years ago and I can still remember that dress] the other when we got married. No matter the ways I complimented, she would never wear one again.
heh, with all this 20/20 hindsight, I think I may know why. :devil:
SwissArmyD at April 4, 2011 9:55 AM
heh, notice how the women suddenly looked a lot more feminine?
Note that the men put the women in outfits that were more waist-revealing. I've noted the importance of women revealing a waist for many years, vis a vis the late Dev Singh's and others' research on waist-to-hip ratio (showing that men prefer an hourglass figure). Men like to see a woman's waist.
Amy Alkon at April 4, 2011 10:00 AM
Wow, that new outfit "Kiaran" is wearing would look great on me. I think my sweety would like it, too! I noticed that with a lot of the women, the men improved the clothes they were wearing, but stuck them in shoes that would probably have me breaking my neck, trying to walk across a parking lot during an Iowa winter.
Pirate Jo at April 4, 2011 10:22 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/04/04/what_men_want.html#comment-2002037">comment from Pirate JoI wear floor-length skirts almost every day, and then boots that are high-heeled but comfortable. Donald J. Pliner makes some. They're expensive but I got a pair on sale (the non-leather/stretchy fabric black kitten-heeled ones) and they have remained new looking for about four years. My kinda purchase.
I find that when I buy expensive but high-quality stuff, I end up saving big. The best is my backpack I got in 1992 from The Original Leather Store in Manhattan. $125, a lot of money back then, especially for me, but it is still almost new nearly 20 years later (had to have the leather drawstring replaced once, and probably will again very soon). I've probably saved $1,000 on computer bags over the years by buying that bag.
Amy Alkon at April 4, 2011 10:25 AM
It's still too cold around here to matter. Give it another month and we'll be able to see what you've got under the parkas and winter jackets.
MarkD at April 4, 2011 10:53 AM
The last woman looks wonderful in the new outfit.
Astra at April 4, 2011 11:01 AM
I'm surprised the guys did as well as they did, but then again, women for the most part cannot dress themselves anymore. Or they just dress for other women.
lsomber at April 4, 2011 11:11 AM
I thought the guys did pretty well and were very considerate of things they knew their women hated wearing. I've dated more than one man who wanted me to wear cheap, slutty fetish outfits, complete with stripper shoes, in public non-fetish environments. This, despite being 15 years past a time when I could get away with it. Sigh. I guess it says something about the kind of relationship we had.
My fiance, on the other hand, doesn't seem to care. I ask and try to otherwise ascertain his preferences so I can wear things that appeal to him, and I like to look cute and fashionable anyway, but the only opinion he's ever ventured is that he dislikes a certain Saturday t-shirt. He tels me I look nice almost every day; possibly he likes how I dress. I hope so, because after several decades of dressing myself I've come to like my style.
Miss Conduct at April 4, 2011 11:13 AM
"Do you think these women aren't really the girlfriends of the men pictured? What possible lies or flaws could be in a piece like this?"
For starters, these women have had their hair and makeup done professionally in the second photos. They've been shot in good lighting, smiling. Of course they look better -- especially since they were dowded down as much as possible in the "pre" photos.
Also, the clothes fit too well to be randomly selected by their men. They were either pointed to these particular outfits or given a rack of suitable clothes to choose from. No way they wandered a store and happened upon these themselves.
So, yeah, the entire premise is probably a setup.
elementary at April 4, 2011 11:46 AM
Ehhhh....not so impressed. Most of the before pictures are of causual/everyday sort of attire (dare I say frumpy?), with the after being more "out for the evening" fare. So the results look more stunning.
I'd rather see her choices for the later venue and then compare those with his.
But if your fellow compares your clothing styles with his grandma, you may want to re-evaluate your style. Or maybe grandma is really trendy, or you're both stuck in the '80s. Which I understand has come back into fashion.
I R A Darth Aggie at April 4, 2011 12:00 PM
Even if it IS a setup, what harm can come from killing off the "shlepping around town in PJs and bedroom slippers" look?
I certainly wouldn't expect a woman to dress up like this every day, but a little effort would go a long way toward dropping the divorce rate.
Even now, my mother won't go out to the store for a carton of milk without putting on slacks and shoes.
Would it kill modern adults to put at least a little effort in and wear something other than bedclothes or gymclothes in public?
brian at April 4, 2011 12:01 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/04/04/what_men_want.html#comment-2002495">comment from AstraAn essential to remember: Men like to see women in clothes that show off a waist.
Amy Alkon at April 4, 2011 12:04 PM
elementary, I did notice that all of them had their hair done in the "after" photos. Although some of them really needed it... the third lady looked like she'd been sleeping with a van der Graaf generator. And from watching "What Not To Wear", I've began to notice the number of women (not just on the show, but in my area) who seem to have no idea what size they are. Quite possibly their men know better than they do themselves what fits them.
"Note that the men put the women in outfits that were more waist-revealing. I've noted the importance of women revealing a waist for many years,..."
That's why there is no such thing as a woman who looks good in a baby-doll top. (Unless it's lingerie, but that's another matter altogether.) A female friend of mine, who is otherwise in great shape, has a little bit of a tummy bulge. She's gotten to where she wears baby-doll tops darn near every day. She thinks she's covering her stomach, but what she's doing instead is actually making herself look pear-shaped. It drives me crazy, and I keep trying to figure out whether to say something, but I can't work up the nerve.
Cousin Dave at April 4, 2011 12:11 PM
And I'll give my assessment of the four makeovers:
1. That dress on Beth is terrific, and she looks great with her hair down. A far more mature look. Yes, the dress is a bit short for everyday, but the same idea would work in a just-above-the-knee dress. Unfortunately, from the writeup and judging by her "before" picture, it appears that she's the sort of woman who never mentally made it out of junior high school, and probably has Hello Kitty stuff all over the house. I'd dump her.
2. Kiaran's "before" look was hideous; almost anything would have been an improvement. The jumpsuit was the right idea but the wrong garment. I don't like the polka dots either, and the legs are way too blousey; Kiaran was right when she said something more fitted would have been better.
3. Vanessa's "before" look actually would have been a decent casual look (other than the light-socket hairdo) if she had tucked in the shirt and rolled down those pants legs. I personally did not like the dress; the width at the bottom over-emphasized her hips and the pattern is matronly. The fairly low cut at the top, along with the jacket, did work well though. The hair, needless to say, was infinitely better. I understand that it was probably professionally done and she can't do that every day. Maybe she could get it cut to a little longer than shoulder length and wear it semi-straightened.
4. Carol's before look was not terrible; it was just kind of plain. It might have worked if she had a top with some pattern and a bit of jewelry. Her after look is fantastic. I wouldn't change a thing.
Cousin Dave at April 4, 2011 12:28 PM
So i think there is a big difference between the first couple and the other couples - the last three couples seemed more loving to me. Those women don't have a "before" style and the before and after pics reflected the shift from paying no attention to clothes to thinking about what makes you look nice. However, the first girl clearly thought a lot about her "before" outfit. Even though it looks awful, it makes sense that she's a fashion assistant because that thrift store grandma look is kinda in right now. She has a certain style, and her boyfriend hates that style. They just shouldn't be dating.
Sam at April 4, 2011 1:43 PM
I'm always amused at the apparent novelty of men picking clothes. I've bought, variously, presents of clothing (unassisted, before you ask) for my sister, sister-in-law, mother, stepmother, and girlfriends. Helped a female friend pick out a corset. Given opinions on bras, dresses, tops, panties. Just be honest guys - it either looks good or it doesn't. Some things suit some people, some things don't. There's nothing wrong with saying so. I remember telling an ex that a really nice-looking dress she tried on just didn't suit her - it sat badly under the bust - I grabbed the sales assistant to check and she confirmed that a lot of people had had trouble with it. Just a bad cut.
Ok, you screw up every now and then - the dress I got for my mother just did not work, but the one for my stepmother was perfect. Go figure.
These guys seem to have done a pretty good job. Maybe they had some discreet help, but that's ok.
An essential to remember: Men like to see women in clothes that show off a waist.
Second that in spades.
Ltw at April 4, 2011 2:35 PM
Sam, I agree. And I think another difference with that first couple is that she's the only one of the four women that didn't seem to respect her partner's opinion at all. Even the woman who didn't like the jumpsuit thought that her husband had a good idea and wanted to tweak it a little. But Beth's reaction was to say that her boyfriend has no taste (which she did by using all her fashion-assistant knowledge to shut him down) and she couldn't wait to get back into her awful "before" outfit. You'd think that if she respected her partner's opinion, she'd at least want to say that, while that particular outfit wasn't for her, what specifically does he think she could do to adjust her style to be more appealing? If done correctly, that conversation doesn't have to end in a fight. Especially considering it didn't come out of the blue: they did a photo shoot where he got to change her style. I'm guessing she thought the whole time that she would be able to point out that he has no taste.
Love Carol's husband: he was considerate enough to make sure she had a jacket that covered her arms because she hates them, not him. That's actually really sweet.
NumberSix at April 4, 2011 2:41 PM
That's why there is no such thing as a woman who looks good in a baby-doll top. (Unless it's lingerie, but that's another matter altogether.)
Thankyou JEsus YES. Its gotten to the point that I'm tempted to just tell this fact to random women I see wearing them.
As for the reason baby doll lingerie works is beacs unlike regulat tops the lift and definde the breasts, also most of them are translucent or are parted in the middle
lujlp at April 4, 2011 3:06 PM
I'll third the baby doll top thing. STOP IT, PEOPLE!!!!!
That said, I could never wear those high-heel shoes. Too many problems with my feet.
Daghain at April 4, 2011 7:40 PM
Super cute!
Baby doll tops make me look preggers.
NicoleK at April 5, 2011 12:04 AM
I'm feeling frumpy and needing to revamp my look. I'm having a hard time because I can't wear dresses (nursing a baby, I need easy access). Separates are fine, the problem is my tops get covered with spit-up, food (from attempting to eat with baby in lap), and other stuff so they are constantly getting washed, making them kinda limp. Any ideas for nice tops that wash well and don't need ironing?
NicoleK at April 5, 2011 2:19 AM
Amy, I'd love to see you do a makeover segment. You are the Advice Goddess after all. I'd like you to pick women with different shapes and sizes and feminize them.
What's funny is some women who aren't a nice shape or size think it's not worth bothering trying to look nice, whereas on the contrary, those are the women who most need clever clothing and make-up tricks.
NicoleK at April 5, 2011 2:21 AM
I rather like the baby doll tops especially paired with a fitted blazer/cardigan, a cute scarf, skinny jeans, and ballet flats. Love!
I thought all the men did a very nice job. Perhaps there were things which wouldn't appeal to my taste, but all the ladies looked much better in the silhouettes presented by the men than the ones they chose.
I would totally be game for my fiance choosing an outfit for me - I rather think he has very nice taste (in many things). :) Heck, I often solicit his input - I don't always take it, but I like asking him none-the-less.
N at April 5, 2011 2:49 AM
I think the guys did a pretty good job considering that they're not fashion experts. It's one thing to be able to tell when someone is dressed badly; it's another thing to actually be able to pick them out a flattering outfit in terms of fit, proportion, and silhouette AND taking into account color, pattern, material type, etc. Like the first woman's outfit--I thought the fit and cut was great but I can see why she wouldn't be a fan of the sparkles or wild colors. If they'd had a real personal stylist on board then I'm sure they could come up with a combination that both would be happy with.
Shannon at April 5, 2011 8:27 PM
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