Page 29 - Fashion issue

He Said, She Said

Photos by Lisa K. Miller

Are men really from Mars and Women from
Venus, as author Dr. John Gray states in his
bestselling book? Do men and women re-
ally see things that differently? If given the
same question could their answers really
be so different? At San Diego Woman we
wanted to explore the differences between
"them" and "us". Read this month's install-
ment and find out how the sexes differ when
it comes to communicating with each other.
What topics would you like to see us duke it
out over in upcoming issues?
No topic is off limits, so write me at
editor@sandiegowoman.com. I can't wait to
hear from you!

He Said... She Said...

Fashion, for men, seems like an oxymoron. It’s like most of us Fashion for men? Now, you wouldn’t think it was that hard for men
are lost to the art of dressing ourselves. Unfortunately, the battle considering that they only have a few basic wardrobe pieces from which
rages on and men have a big red X on our chests. You can say, to draw. With women the style changes every 5 minutes, so it is a lot
“You’re not going to wear that, are you?” Followed by the raised tougher for us to keep up with the trends. Yet, so many men are fashion San Diego
eyebrow and tilted head and rolling eyes. We on the other hand challenged. Come on, how can you get pants, shirt, shoes, underwear Woman
cannot repeat the same to you, and there are times we really, and socks wrong? Imagine if you had to coordinate slips, bras, shoes,
really need to. You get to ask the question, “Does this make my panties, jewelry, hairstyles, dresses, skirts, pants, culottes, purses, stock-
butt look too big?” While we know the endgame – whatever we ings, thigh highs, knee highs mini-skirts, maxi-skirts, midi-skirts, etc…
say is wrong, either to you or us. Hint: If you have to ask, it is. etc… etc. But yet with all of these options, women for the most part get it 29
Many times we’d like to ask why you are going to show so much right. No we may not all be fashionistas, but most of us know that it isn’t
of your breasts. Now, don’t get me wrong, we like it – every- right to wear sneakers with a mini skirt or high heels with knee socks, (un-
where! But if you’re going to complain about the ogling and less you are Britney Spears) but why do men not understand that sandals
whistles then either wear a bigger necklace or a higher neckline. and white socks do not turn us on.
It’s that simple. Remember the definition of insanity: Doing the I do get the concept of wearing what is comfortable, but every woman
same thing over and over and expecting different results. knows if you came to the door to pick us up for a date and we were
The difference between fashion and style is simple: Fashion is dressed this way, you would ask why we were not ready? Yet you can
what you’re constantly trying to keep up with and style is what show up dressed the exact same way, and if there were no stains on your
compliments you more completely without the chase. Style is t-shirt, you would consider yourself appropriately dressed for the best
Levis and a ‘cute’ blouse with simple accessories. Fashion says restaurant in town.
you will either layer this season (three months, tops!) or wear Those heels you mentioned, obviously you don’t understand the concept
colors that don’t match anyone’s season. (As a quick sidebar, behind heels. The shoes most of us crave are the designer heels like
what in the world are you doing wearing the shoes today. You those gorgeous Louboutins. They are not made for walking. When we
can’t stand or walk in them – we can see the tortured stress on are accessorizing our outfits, standing in front of our shoe racks, there is
Vintage Midnight Glass Earrings your faces). Style says wear what looks best for you – YOU – a formula that we consider in our heads, based upon the amount of time
and not some fashionista from New York or Paris. There’s not a we will be vertical. For example, are we going out to a restaurant where
man out there who won’t look at you if you’re wearing something we will be immediately seated, or will we have to stand around the bar
that doesn’t look good on you – we’re dogs and know it. But the waiting for our table. Is there a parking structure or lot directly adjacent to
women you dress for will judge you and, to me, it takes more our final destination, and how long will we actually be at the event. If the
strength of character to dress with what is best for you than to formula allows for it and we will not be on our feet for long periods of time,
chase the elusive paradigm of fashion. we can pull out the Louboutins, but if not it may be the more sensible (and
Here’s where the male of the species come in: We wear what yes ugly) Birkenstocks. And let’s face it, you guys would much rather see
we feel looks best on us. I’ll grant you we make tons of mis- us in 6 inch sexy heels than flat rubber clogs.
takes, but when dress up time comes we usually rally. Man puts As for asking that age old question “Does my butt look big in this outfit,”
All items can be found at www.etsy.com/shop/TrashyChic on suit, man likes the attention. Grunt. Ladies, we admit we’re of course we ask. Women are insecure at heart. Even a super model
challenged fashion and style wise, and we do need some help, will tell you that there is a part of her face or body that she dislikes. Yet a
man could be short, fat and bald and he will stick out his chest and admire
but PLEASE stop with the rolling of the eyes and that sigh before
you ask us what the hell we’re doing with “that on.” his profile thinking to himself, “Damn I look good today!” So of course you
don’t ask us if we like the way you look; so how do we ever get to give our
input if we don’t come out and ask you, “Are you really gonna wear that?”