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Thread: Why don't we look like women anymore?

  1. #1
    Yekhefah
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    Default Why don't we look like women anymore?

    I was just looking at an old clip of Lauren Bacall, and I got to thinking about Betty Grable, Katherine Hepburn, Mae West, on back to Lillian Gish. Women used to dress like women and make an effort to be feminine and pretty every day. When did we get away from that?

    I wish I could wear a pretty dress and curl my hair like Lauren Bacall without people asking how come I'm so "dressed up." Don't get me wrong, I love my jeans, but how come it's so rare to be feminine nowadays? Even our movie stars are onscreen in limp hair and T-shirts.

  2. #2
    beauty21queen
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Yeah I wish I could get all dressed up without someone asking me where im going.I would love to do that, but then I wouldn't want to do it on a daily basis, im just too lazy.

  3. #3
    Lola Rose
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    I dress up allmost everyday. My everyday wordrobe is at least 60% bresses and skirts. I love my heels and pretty tops. I find that people who only occassionally dress up are asked more about it then I am.... it's normal for me to be seen in dresses and heels, so I'm not asked about it.

    I agree tho, I long for the days when housewives still wore pearls and not sweats.

  4. #4
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Easy answer? It's expensive & time consuming & we have less to gain from it. It's a relic from when women had to exploit that BIG Pedestal society put them on. ("Not tonight, I have a headache. " "Come back next week, I'm on a losing streak." "I have to wash my hair tonight." Etc.)

    I do appreciate it when I see it, though.

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    God/dess Bella21's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Styles change with society, to agree with Maxine.

    (But, if you ALWAYS wore pretty dresses and curled your hair, you wouldn't really be dressing up. )

    I love wearing pretty dresses and skirts in late spring and summertime. Otherwise, it's just too cold! I go to school in sweats nowadays. They're pretty sweats, but they are sweats nonetheless. Screw those guys, I'm not waking up any earlier than I have to.
    If you think school is hard, try being stupid.

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    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    well, not for nothing, but this [I look myself up and down for a moment] is what a woman looks like. I DO look like a woman. I don't really love the idea of femininity that is all about maintenance and helplessness and effort. It glorifies, frankly, weakness - an inability or a disinclination to run up the stairs, to move your head too much when you laugh, to eat or drink in public. Everything I dislike about the word "feminine". You can be strong and still feminine means you can be strong and not SEEM strong. I disagree. I choose to, insofar as there is no alternative to the word feminine, believe that femininity IS strong. I do look woman and feminine in my jeans, or my pyjamas, or while wearing chapstick instead of lipglass because that is what women look like.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

  7. #7
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Good point, Jenny.

  8. #8
    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Quote Originally Posted by Yekhefah View Post
    Good point, Jenny.
    that's not a hate on for skirts and high heels. It's just that I don't like to characterize it as being inherently more womanly.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

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    Featured Member sophiemarie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    History changes like fashion. Not everyone dresses the same. I like to change how I dress. I dress for the occassion.



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    Featured Member Krazyjane's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    I have more important things to worry about right now, like school. I can either spend two hours primping, or I can throw on jeans and a tshirt and use those 2 hours to study. I do dress up when the times call, and I do have exquisite taste. It makes thsoe efforts much more visible, and I love it when people don't recognize me, drop their jaws, and exclaim that they had no idea that I was this hot.

    Back in those days, women were more valued for looks because they were staying at home. Homemaking wasn't considered working, they didn't have their own money. They had to seduce men out of it. It was also a time when the media was respectful of things like FDR's disability, when things like divorce and sex jsut weren't talked about. Keeping up appearances was important. Women dressing up was part of it.

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    Featured Member sophiemarie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Looks are valued today it is just that styles have changed. Not everyone has a glamerous look like Angelina. Not everyone is a rocker like Courtney.
    Fashion is about expressing yourself thru clothes of your choice. There is no right way to dress. Be yourself and love it...........



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  12. #12
    Featured Member Fawn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    I'm not so sure it's about taking two hours getting ready. Afriend of mine loves dresses because she can be ready in 15 flat and looking like she's going out on the town. As long as the dress is dressy, you look dressy.... even if you're just wearing dr.pepper chapstick and a bun pulled together with an elastic band.

    However, I love my jeans and live in them. I'm too thin for dresses. I look 12 when I've got one on.
    " Remember during each test there is some girl in Australia jealous of you who wants to do what you're doing."- Lilithmorrigan

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  13. #13
    Lola Rose
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    I am out the door in 45 at most, it can be done in as little as 20. And I not only do my hair, makeup, slip on my clothes and heels, but I cook breakfast for mself and whoever is home, and walk my puppy. Then it's off to starbucks. lol.

    I like the way I'm treated when I look nice, it's respectful, gracious, and worthy. My teachers and people who meet me remember me, and have higher expectations of me right off the bat. I'm treated well in stores, anywhere I go. I act in relation to how I'm dressed, and that is certainly important.... but really, people do notice. I've treid wearing sweats and sneakers, and the service, treatment and respect I get is less.

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    God/dess Andygirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    This thread is funny considering we are some of the most feminine women on the planet. The average gal doesn't do half of what we do to look good and stay sexy. Being feminine is so much more than wearing a dress and pantyhose.
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    God/dess Bella21's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    ^I think a good deal of us do the whole "looking sexy" thing at the max at work and then say "fuck it" for the rest of the time being. What Fawn said is true, though. I'm treated much better when I'm wearing something nice (even if it's just a cute top, jeans, and heals) than when I'm just wearing something comfortable.
    If you think school is hard, try being stupid.

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    God/dess PaigeDWinter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Yek I adore you for this post.


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    God/dess PookaShell's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    I would like to dress up more often. When I have some extra money to buy prettyful clothes I'ma dress up like a prettyful pooka.

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    Veteran Member dollyrocker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    "When did we get away from that?"

    Most women back then had the spare time to dedicate to beautifying more because, simply put, they were bored housewives (or future bored housewives), and needed to occupy themselves SOMEHOW.

    Even though womens lib as we know it started in the late 1800s, it wasn't until the 1960s and 70s that it became typical for women to stand on their own two feet. And once that happened, well, we abreviated our ideas of glamour.

    I'm a vintage enthusiast myself and really love those old hairstyles! But they had a tradeoff: a lot of them were acheived through perms, which were much harsher back then. But it wasn't uncommon for women to get these perms on a monthly or more basis. So the actual condition of their hair left much to be desired, and washing the hair only once every two weeks became a common practice!

    The quality of those old clothes are unparalled though! I have dresses from the 1920s that have outlived countless dresses I've bought from the mall.

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    God/dess PaigeDWinter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Quote Originally Posted by dollyrocker View Post

    The quality of those old clothes are unparalled though! I have dresses from the 1920s that have outlived countless dresses I've bought from the mall.



    Egads yes! I have a few vintage items and they are insanely well made and hold up so well!
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    Featured Member Lyssa Lynn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bella21 View Post
    ^I think a good deal of us do the whole "looking sexy" thing at the max at work and then say "fuck it" for the rest of the time being.
    This is so true for me! All the preparation and primping at work..uggh..at least I make money off it. When I'm out and about, I don't really care what people think of my apperance. I know I'm a good woman..besides, it'd be kinda rough trying to go for a ride on my motorcycle with heels and a dress on...not to mention the hair!

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    God/dess Vyanka's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    I heard countries like Italy and Greece, you wont see women wear sneakers just to go to the grocery. Esp. in Greece. That the women always look prim and proper. I admire that. I love being a girly girl. But it's like you said, if I look a little bit more feminine(not decked out), ppl will ask where are you going. lol

  22. #22
    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Quote Originally Posted by dollyrocker View Post
    "When did we get away from that?"

    Most women back then had the spare time to dedicate to beautifying more because, simply put, they were bored housewives (or future bored housewives), and needed to occupy themselves SOMEHOW.

    Even though womens lib as we know it started in the late 1800s, it wasn't until the 1960s and 70s that it became typical for women to stand on their own two feet. And once that happened, well, we abreviated our ideas of glamour.
    Well, that's not entirely accurate. Keep in mind that we're talking about movies - and a specific KIND of movie, at that. Not necessarily indicative of the lives and appearances of your average woman. Like you think maybe Betty Grable and Katherine Hepburn maybe spent a little time in makeup before doing that shoot? Movies are now for a more sophisticated audience; so you might think that the trend towards depicting women in their lounge wear is a) different styles of dress, b) a more"realistic" portrayal of people and c) the fact that different kinds of movies are being made now.
    Also, keep in mind that the "bored housewife" issue was not some universal truth before 1960, but was actually a very specific period in time - the late 40s and 50s, during a fairly unparalleled time of prosperity in the Western world - and even then for a specific class of women. I'm from a working class family, and I can tell you that the women in my family ALWAYS worked. Not just the single mothers, either. And we're talking about going back 4 or 5 generations (my great grandmother was born in 1902, and HER mother worked).
    Finally - keep in mind that society in general is less formal. Even like 25 or 30 years ago people dressed up to get on planes. You would never see a guy wearing khakis or jeans to the office. Now you do.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    I live in Europe and I'd say 95% of women in the city I live in are VERY done up whenever they're out. Grocery store, in the city, walkign around.. out with the baby in the buggy, occasionally you see more casual wear (not scruffy jeans and a tank, but tailored pants and a nice cotton top) at the playground. It looks really nice, but frankly it is very irritating as well. You can't just run out to the store quickly for something without feeling like you need to get dressed to the nines and have your hair and makeup done, no to mention the uncomfortable shoes. It is also a pain in the ass when you spend X amount of time getting a baby/toddler ready, and then they're sitting there screaming while you'res sweating trying to get your face and clothes on. It would be so convenient to wear slobby clothes sometimes.

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    Featured Member Krazyjane's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Quote Originally Posted by Meghan View Post
    I live in Europe and I'd say 95% of women in the city I live in are VERY done up whenever they're out. Grocery store, in the city, walkign around.. out with the baby in the buggy, occasionally you see more casual wear (not scruffy jeans and a tank, but tailored pants and a nice cotton top) at the playground. It looks really nice, but frankly it is very irritating as well. You can't just run out to the store quickly for something without feeling like you need to get dressed to the nines and have your hair and makeup done, no to mention the uncomfortable shoes. It is also a pain in the ass when you spend X amount of time getting a baby/toddler ready, and then they're sitting there screaming while you'res sweating trying to get your face and clothes on. It would be so convenient to wear slobby clothes sometimes.
    Hehe, reminds me of when I was visiting a friend in a completely Jewish area of the Bronx. All the women were pushing strollers while wearing tailored skirts and heels. If their husbands were with them, they were in business suits. The thought of wearing heels while pushing a stroller makes me cringe.

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    Featured Member sophiemarie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why don't we look like women anymore?

    Sounds like my neighborhood in BK. All the women paint their faces like stripper or worse just to go get a cup of coffee. It's not becoming. People should look like people. We re not on the "big screen".
    There is "street fashion" and "runway fashion" and they can't be combined. Life in NY is not "Sex In The City" and if you think it is you are brain washed.
    Last edited by sophiemarie; 02-03-2007 at 01:52 PM.



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