Girl cute vs. Guy cute
I am not an anthropologist, nor am I a guy…so this post is all just from my observations, but it seems to me that there are two kinds of cute out there when it comes to women’s clothing: one is girl cute and the other is guy cute. Girl cute are the kinds of things that other women compliment you on when you wear them. Most of these fashions tend to go right over the heads of the male population. Things like bows, ruffles, frilliness, or any type of adornment that doesn’t have a function.
Take these examples:
Pointy shoes? I don’t think guys appreciate that look. I’m not sure I do either, but most guys I know seem to have a very clear witch correlation in their heads.
Big bib necklaces? All of that stuff, and it doesn’t really do anything? Doesn’t make sense to guys.
Big sunglasses? Honestly, I love me some killer Mary-Kate Olsen sunglasses, I’m definitely a fan. I think, however, that these are firmly in the girl cute category.
Hair pieces? Girl cute FOR SURE.
Dresses with big bows, big rosettes right in the middle, or ruffly skirts? I think that to guys, it’s just a lot of fabric that has no purpose, which means they just don’t get it.
Of course, the bottom line to all of this is, who cares? If you like it, then wear it. Simple as that. I remember a post from A CUP OF JO once where Joanna linked to an article she wrote for Glamour about this topic (she calls it girl pretty vs. guy pretty). The most interesting part to me was the comment where a guy said “Cute girl in ruffles = a cute girl in ruffles.” I think that’s exactly right. Of course, I don’t think you have to give up your feminism or sense of self if sometimes you want to dress in a way that men can understand and appreciate, too.
It’s just interesting to see the chasm between girl taste and guy taste.
What do you think? What else is in the girl cute category?
Related posts:
Can you share where the black dress and the black and white dress are from? I think the black and white looks like Anthro, but can’t be sure. Thanks!
The black and white one looks like it is from Shabby Apple.
i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again: girls dress for girls not for guys
samandlivi.blogspot.com
All three dresses are from Shabby Apple. Tons of cute dresses over there!
This is so funny. My husband compliments me on the most basic stuff…like black heels or a baseball hat. He usually thinks that most girls dress too over the top…he’s not a fan of too many accessories.
I dont agree at all. My husband loves my cute hair pieces, bows/ruffles/etc. on my shirts/dresses/skirts, bought me the most awesome silver pointy shoes for our anniversary last year, and is always trying to convince me to try the “big sunglasses” look. He likes the unique fashion items and steers me away from buying anything too “plain and boring”. He has great taste and therefore I dress for him, and get the compliments from both him and my girlfriends. I don’t dress super over the top, just a few cute details, and Im glad he notices them and appreciates them.
My husband is the same way Tiffany! One of the things that first caught his attention was I wore 4.5″ pointed-toe stilletos, form fitting pencil skirts and a tuxedo tops with lots of ruffles. I think most men appreciate a girl who is feminine and knows how to dress herself in a trendy fashionable way, most men just don’t understand it’s in the details that gets one to the over-all “package.”
One thing my husband absolutely does not like are belts. Like, high-waisted, around a frilly blouse, belts. I’ll ask his opinion and he always makes a face. He thinks it’s weird.
He also has a serious problem with flats. It reminds him of a smelly, lazy, old room mate I had (not you, Natalie!) that would wear flats with sequins all over them.
I think you hit the nail on the head with this post! My husband always refers to pointy shoes as “witch shoes” and he definitely doesn’t “get” excessive bows, ruffles, and frills. He also doesn’t particularly like gauchos (he refers to them as “sailor pants”) and capris (“Are they shorts or pants?”).
lol that’s funny that he has an issue with flats! Zach is the complete opposite. If I wear heels he is so confused that I would wear something that isn’t comfortable just for the look of it. Silly Zach.
Hilary, your comment on the flats are funny. My husband doesn’t appreciate flats either. I may have a sister who has cute (girl cute) flats with like big bows or ruffles or rhinestones on the toe part and Erik mentioned that they look like little girl dress-up shoes. It cracked me up because it’s kind of true, but I like flats anyway.
I just want to tell you all how much I adore your blog. I link to it from mine, and read it oh so often. I am ALWAYS inspired. This post is nothing short of the genius that is Sensibly Styled!!
bubble dress are very nice girl dresses and i always ask my girlfriend to wear one ,`”