Spring Break
Cross Dressing
Too Cool For School
Connie Yan
Issue date: 3/28/07 Section: Focus
"I know a lot of my friends buy the girls sneakers because they're cheaper," Tang said. "Say you're a 9.5 in men's, you get a bigger size in women and it's a lot cheaper."
I often shop in the boys section at Ralph Lauren for oxford shirts because not only are they a tad cheaper, but they are also cut for a smaller person. Yet, I have never heard of a man shopping in the women's section even if the shirts are identical and dirt-cheap. It is simply because the labeling deters.
Even if that North Face jacket fit perfectly and was only a dollar, "I don't think I would buy one if I knew it was a girl's," Caples said.
Although it is not right, it is simply the way things are. There are also rules that apply to the cross-dressing phenomenon. There are some things that are okay to toss around between males and females and some things that are strictly for boys and strictly for girls.
Besides oxford shirts and fleece vests, puffy vests and hooded sweatshirts are fairly unisex items - the difference is in the cut. Women can find oxford shorts with a slightly tapered waist, fitted darts and a more feminine cut. Puffy and fleece vests for women can come with fur, designs and a slimmer shape. The women's version often comes in a wide range of pastels and bright bold colors, which is why they often opt for the darker, subtler men's colors. The L.L. Bean fleece for instance, does not come in a Dark Khaki or Guide Gold for women. Women can shop in both sections at the Co-op, pick up a pastel hoodie and a vintage tee, but men have to stick to one section.
Unfortunately, it is socially acceptable to be a bit masculine if you are a woman, but not a tad feminine if you are a man.
"Like how it was OK for girls to play with G.I. Joes but not for a boy to pick up a Barbie," said Amanda Pelletier, 4th-semester music education major.
I often shop in the boys section at Ralph Lauren for oxford shirts because not only are they a tad cheaper, but they are also cut for a smaller person. Yet, I have never heard of a man shopping in the women's section even if the shirts are identical and dirt-cheap. It is simply because the labeling deters.
Even if that North Face jacket fit perfectly and was only a dollar, "I don't think I would buy one if I knew it was a girl's," Caples said.
Although it is not right, it is simply the way things are. There are also rules that apply to the cross-dressing phenomenon. There are some things that are okay to toss around between males and females and some things that are strictly for boys and strictly for girls.
Besides oxford shirts and fleece vests, puffy vests and hooded sweatshirts are fairly unisex items - the difference is in the cut. Women can find oxford shorts with a slightly tapered waist, fitted darts and a more feminine cut. Puffy and fleece vests for women can come with fur, designs and a slimmer shape. The women's version often comes in a wide range of pastels and bright bold colors, which is why they often opt for the darker, subtler men's colors. The L.L. Bean fleece for instance, does not come in a Dark Khaki or Guide Gold for women. Women can shop in both sections at the Co-op, pick up a pastel hoodie and a vintage tee, but men have to stick to one section.
Unfortunately, it is socially acceptable to be a bit masculine if you are a woman, but not a tad feminine if you are a man.
"Like how it was OK for girls to play with G.I. Joes but not for a boy to pick up a Barbie," said Amanda Pelletier, 4th-semester music education major.
Be the first to comment on this story