What men know about women's fashion could probably be inscribed on the head of a pin.  That's not a criticism it's a fact, in as much as what do women know about football? Ditto. However, what they think about women's fashion, is another matter. If you have ever wondered what is going on in the mind of a man, when it comes to your wardrobe, RTE's Off The Rails were on a quest to answer this burning question on Wednesday night's show. The common perception is that men couldn't care less about women and style, but the intrepid Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney were determined to prove that old chestnut wrong. Some of the answers from men about their likes included: 'High heels' and 'Effortless'. Dislikes: 'Too much to understand' and 'Showing off too much is tacky and cheap'.

Not content with these nuggets of insight, Sonya and Brendan then gathered a group of men in a big, empty room to view a series of images of women, strategically shown in segments, starting from the shoes. Peeptoes were deemed 'Classic', tiger print red heels  as ' Full-on porn shoot', pink sandals and dark tights, 'Frumpy', and Uggs, 'very young and casual'. Then, as the torsos of the images were revealed, the Uggs started to win out due to the rest of the outfit (apparently, your top, jacket, skirt length and jeans style can change all.) Finally, when the full images were revealed to show Cheryl Cole, Michelle Heaton, Mischa Barton (Ugg lover) and Sarah Jessica Parker, the majority of men voted for Mrs Cole, FHM's Sexiest Woman of the Year. In the end result, women's patron saint of style, SJP, got just one vote and Mischa got none. So, big hair extensions, winsome dimples and fresh flesh beat high style and natural beauty. Surprised?

Not content with the outcome of this experiment, Sonya then donned Mrs Cole's signature little top and skirt combo to take it to the streets and ask the average man and woman what they thought. Man: 'Very nice.'Woman: 'Horrendous.' Man: 'It's not just about T&A – it's the shoulders, legs, backs.....' Think, fashion, nope. Open comedian Dennis Leary's latest book, Why We Suck, and turn to the male and female brain exhibit drawings that show what is at the forefront of each gender's thoughts. Women: Shoes. Men: Sex.

In reality, men don't think too much about women's fashion. Unless they are put under the microscope on TV, or the woman they are with looks in any way embarrasing to them (and the hot chick in the corner looks so much better), it's just not a priority. So long as your muffin top is not spilling over your jeans, you can walk easily without hobbling in your 5 inch platforms, your clothes actually fit you, and you're not asking, 'Does my bum look big?', their thoughts will be happily otherwise occupied.

A truism by one woman interviewed was that women don't dress for men, they dress for other women – they notice. We sure do. A walk down the street, entrance into a restaurant or arrival at the office in a new outfit will get you more top-to-toe looks than if you wandered in wearing your pajamas and a pizza box for a hat.
 
A knowledgeable professional on the subject of women's fashion, designer Michael Mortell commented that a woman will probably take a man's opinion seriously if she fancies him, and quoted Coco Chanel: 'All men are like little boys – just treat them like that'.

Next time you debate over what to wear and ask for his opinion, accept that your bloke is more likely to be preoccupied with thoughts about the match on Saturday or the latest Guitar Hero game. And isn't that just as well? Do you really want to date or marry your girlfriend?
 
 

Written by :

Leanne de Cerbo