I don’t know if I have ever seen anyone talk this way about an old man’s clothing choices. Usually it’s only women who are held up to this cradle to grave scrutiny of our every move. When you say that she looks “ridiculous,” you’re channeling the full weight of a sexist and ageist culture.
If you saw an old man dressing flamboyantly, you’d smile quietly and go on with your day. You wouldn’t bother trying to analyze your reaction because you would barely have one. And there’s your answer.
I don’t know if I have ever seen anyone talk this way about an old man’s clothing choices. Usually it’s only women who are held up to this cradle to grave scrutiny of our every move. When you say that she looks “ridiculous,” you’re channeling the full weight of a sexist and ageist culture.
If you saw an old man dressing flamboyantly, you’d smile quietly and go on with your day. You wouldn’t bother trying to analyze your reaction because you would barely have one. And there’s your answer.