Michael Dake Critiques our Collective Cultural Tendency to Scrutinise Women’s Fashion Choices during Awards Season, and draws Attention to the Drab Sartorial Options available to Men
Millions of people watch the Oscars, Grammys, and Met Gala every year. Most of us largely due to boredom, procrastination, or perhaps morbid curiosity. Each year, the leading ladies cascade down the red carpet in an eclectic range of sumptuous gowns. Their male counterparts, however, tend to opt for a more subdued look: a fitted suit, usually in black, brown, grey, navy, or beige, with little variation.
If you share in my proclivity for reading other people’s bizarre musings on Twitter, you’ve probably also noticed this disparity. Men tend to make fairly bland and predictable sartorial choices, while women must wear outfits that are interesting, unique, or “boundary pushing.” They are subjected to both higher standards and harsher criticisms. This raises serious questions about our cultural expectations regarding what women wear and how they present themselves to the public eye. It also draws attention to the glaring disparity between men and women regarding personal hygiene, grooming, and aesthetic presentation.
Men tend to make fairly bland and predictable sartorial choices, while women are expected to wear outfits that are interesting, unique, or “boundary pushing.”
While some male celebrities do take risks with their attire, the range of options available to them pales in comparison to the plethora of choices women have. The traditional black-tie dress code for men leaves little room for creativity or deviance, resulting in a deluge of monotonous tuxedos and suits.
This disparity in expectations between men and women not only reinforces antiquated sexist stereotypes but also perpetuates inequality within the industry. While women are judged primarily on superficial attributes like appearance and taste, men are afforded the luxury of being evaluated based on their talent and achievements. This imbalance further marginalises women in an already male-dominated environment and sends the message that their cultural value is contingent upon their ability to conform to beauty standards (standards that become exponentially more impossible with each passing awards season and major fashion event).
Moreover, the pressure on women to conform to a narrow cultural/aesthetic archetype of feminine glamour at award shows takes a toll on their mental health and emotional well-being. The constant scrutiny and objectification contribute to feelings of inadequacy, fostering an unhealthy obsession with attaining physical “perfection.” Meanwhile, men are often spared from being subjected to an equivalent level of scrutiny and are thus allowed to focus on their craft without the added burden of societal expectations regarding their appearance.
The constant scrutiny and objectification contribute to feelings of inadequacy, fostering an unhealthy obsession with attaining physical “perfection.”
A quick Google search for “Met Gala looks” yields countless photos of female singers, actors, and models wearing monumental pieces, with iconic hair-do’s, intricate ornaments, and avant garde accessories. The same search when applied to men shows a tedious tally of suits, with little room for innovation or eclecticism. Perhaps by injecting a dollop of colour into their wardrobes, male artists can open a door for those with more less conventional and more eccentric tastes to come forward. It’s not exactly the most compelling issue of our era, but wouldn’t it be nice to see some lovely costumes? The world can always do with more beauty.
Perhaps by injecting a dollop of colour into their wardrobes, male artists can open a door for those with more less conventional and more eccentric tastes to come forward.
Critiquing and admiring the fashion choices of those who tread the red carpet is, at least for now, a cultural staple. Nonetheless, it certainly would do no harm to see male artists demonstrate somewhat more imagination in their styling. The introduction of more colours, the incorporation of more unconventional fabrics, and maybe even the occasional turtleneck might liven up the typically homogenous world of men’s fashion.