Just a few thoughts on womanhood

Most of it baffles me, but some I've come to embrace.

Following are a few random thoughts on girlhood, in list form (since I'm an engineer and think that way!)

1) Fashion and Clothing "Trends"

Are you ladies aware that, like "buzz toys" like Cabbage Patch Dolls and Pet Rocks, clothing trends do not reflect societal choices, but actually form them? Does it not make you feel silly to chose a colour of winter coat because a perfect stranger, who stands to profit from your decision, tells you so?

For the life of me, I do not understand what the hell people are talking about when they say, "blahblah is in this year. blahblah is out." Um, if it fits and flatters you, and you like it, isn't that all that matters?

I am particularly baffled when such "advice" is applied to things that strike me as particularly timeless and should totally be up to the wearer and independent of third-party opinions. Like skirt length. I like my skirt this length, and if you tell me that this year it should be shorter, and next year it should be longer, I'll shake my head in bafflement.

Or how about when these ridiculous notions are applied to clothing that is supposed to be functional? I had the misfortune of being informed by a fashion article at the beginning of last Winter that "jackets are IN this Winter!" As opposed to which Winters, exactly, when jackets are not in?

2) Fussing with one's hair

Why do women with straight hair want curly hair, and women with curly hair, straight hair? Also, what's up with the bajillion products that line store shelves? And why is crunchy hair a good thing? And why do you utilise things that need an AC adaptor on your hair every morning, and then complain that it is damaged?

3) Makeup that looks like makeup

I thought that the purpose of makeup was to minimize flaws and to maximize assets. I mean, there's this stereotype of women who don't let anyone see them without makeup, because they want to pretend that they are "naturally perfect." What's natural about blue eyeshadow or fuschia lipstick?

4) The truly insane amounts of personal care products

Not to put too fine a point on the matter, but separate soaps for face and body? Um, if it's too harsh for your face, it's probably not a good idea to put it near your other bodily orifices either.

5) Catty bitch culture

Am I competitive with the other women in my office? When I am lucky enough to find one, we cleave together like cheese and everything because cheese goes well with everything. Dear God, can I afford not to take advantage of the one opportunity for having a girlfriend that each company offers?

Newsflash to non-engineering women--belittling other women does not make you a better one. It actually makes you... errr... mean.

Another semi-relevant note--Why do some women celebrate bitchiness in general? Those awful keychains and bumper stickers that say "I can go from zero to bitch in five seconds" or "daddy's princess" or the like. What the hell? Yeah, we all have our bitchy moments, but decent people don't embrace or celebrate them.

6) Attraction to Jerky Men

I'm not sure whether this is a real one or a stereotype, but there's a fairly common plot line about some "nice" guy wailing about how women prefer assholes.

Reeeeally?

1) Good shoes.

Feet are important. Well-made shoes of luxurious materials take good care of them, with the added benefit of making the wearer walk taller and have better posture. Cheap shoes aren't so cheap when you take into account foot, knee, hip, and spine health. And bone and joint damage is cumulative, kids, so Payless actually becomes quite expensive.

2) Good clothes... to a point.

Over the past few years I've begun paying occasional visits to some upscale boutique stores in downtown Los Altos and (horror!) Palo Alto. I am an engineer and wear Levi's to work every day, but you know what? If I need a good suit or a nice dress, it's damned easy to find in those places. Well-made clothes just fit so easily, with no stretching, forcing, or odd posture required. They are cut for human bodies and made for human motion.