Why are women in modern western influenced societies generally more individualistic with their personal appearances then men?

[Otherguy]

This is far removed from an over encompassing rule and not at all true for every corner of the globe throughout history, but women seem to be much more individualistic with styling their personal appearances then men in my personal experiences. Speaking only as American that has never left the continental United States, I’ve seen women that have hair lengths that range anywhere from nearly buzzed to even down past their thighs while going out and about for example.

Men on the other hand, while still by no means uniform in their appearances, generally tend to follow more baseline patterns. The majority that I’ve seen generally don’t have their hair any longer than their earlobes, and only a handful have it past their shoulders. Most deviations are whatever or not they have facial hair such as beards, mustaches, and perma-stubble. Fashion styles for men also seem somewhat more static then women in these past several decades. For example, if a guy looking like this 1920s photograph of Rudolph Valentino was walking past my front window, I don't think that I would notice much beyond thinking he was a little overdressed. On the other hand, a women dressed in 1920s fashion, like Greta Garbo in this photograph, would be much more startling for me.

For the sake of comparison, here are some male actors from the 1950s to the 2010s:

1.Rod Sterling in the 1950s

2.Clint Eastwood in the 1980s

3.Patrick Wilson in the 2010s

Now here are a group of actresses selected from the 1970s alone:

1.Jane Seymour

2.Jessica Lange

3.Farrah Fawcett

At least for modern western culture, why are women generally much more individualistic with their fashions and personal appearances then men? Why do their hair and clothing styles also evolve more more rapidly in the past few decades then their male counterparts?

 

[Phuel]

…Patrick Wilson is such a WTF moment LOOL

Western women aren't much more individualistic in their style choices than men at all, even in the 21st-century. For every conservative-looking Rod Sterling/Clint Eastwood/Patrick Wilson (LOL still hilarious that he’s an example as he may be one of the most generic-looking type and not someone that’s associated with “style”), there's the gender bending and twisting masterclass style of David Bowie/Phil Oakey/Boy George. James Dean and Marlon Brando of the 1950s remain style icons for sheer force of masculine sexuality but wearing just a white tee during their time, was provocative and unsettling. And Jim Morrison and Mick Jagger of their 1960s style just intoxicated natural sexuality that was shocking and even considered feminine for its time. And if we’re to speak of these current times in mainstream media, and as much as I may loathe them or their fashion sense, there’s Jared Leto/Harry Styles/Johnny Depp.

And that’s just the Western hemisphere. Have a gander at the Eastern hemisphere, and you may be impressed— or shocked, at how traditionally Western feminine styles are just accepted norms of Eastern hetero men, whom tend to be more flamboyant, as far as Western sensibilities go, in their fashion expressions than women. And that’s not even getting into Eastern cultural traditions, just fashion. It’s a worthy deep dive.

 

[fashion review]

The perception that women are more individualistic in appearance may stem from societal expectations that place greater emphasis on their looks while associating men with conventional styles that align with traditional views of masculinity.

However, I agree with Phuel here!

…Patrick Wilson is such a WTF moment LOOL

Western women aren't much more individualistic in their style choices than men at all, even in the 21st-century. For every conservative-looking Rod Sterling/Clint Eastwood/Patrick Wilson (LOL still hilarious that he’s an example as he may be one of the most generic-looking type and not someone that’s associated with “style”), there's the gender bending and twisting masterclass style of David Bowie/Phil Oakey/Boy George. James Dean and Marlon Brando of the 1950s remain style icons for sheer force of masculine sexuality but wearing just a white tee during their time, was provocative and unsettling. And Jim Morrison and Mick Jagger of their 1960s style just intoxicated natural sexuality that was shocking and even considered feminine for its time. And if we’re to speak of these current times in mainstream media, and as much as I may loathe them or their fashion sense, there’s Jared Leto/Harry Styles/Johnny Depp.

And that’s just the Western hemisphere. Have a gander at the Eastern hemisphere, and you may be impressed— or shocked, at how traditionally Western feminine styles are just accepted norms of Eastern hetero men, whom tend to be more flamboyant, as far as Western sensibilities go, in their fashion expressions than women. And that’s not even getting into Eastern cultural traditions, just fashion. It’s a worthy deep dive.

Many male celebrities, particularly in music and pop culture, have pushed boundaries in fashion and appearance, often embracing styles that challenge conventional masculinity.

The influence of East Asian fashion, particularly K-pop idols and actors, has brought a more fluid and expressive style to the forefront, where male celebrities often wear makeup, bold hairstyles, and androgynous clothing without stigma.

Once you consider subcultures and global trends, you'll know that men, too, have plenty of room for self-expression through style!