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10 Comebacks for When Someone Says You Dress “Too Fancy”
Whether we like it or not (we don’t), the reality is that women often need to do more than men to get the same amount of respect—and that includes the way we dress.
If you’ve worn clothes as a human woman, you’ve probably encountered a handful—nope, a bucketful—of men who feel entitled to question and comment on your outfit choices (“But I said you look sexy! That’s a compliment!!!”). And—setting aside that one guy in high school who generously alerted me to the fact that it’s “not attractive to us” when girls wear “those flowy skirts” (read: A-lines)—one of the more annoying forms of this happens when you’re told you’re dressed “too fancy.” I’m not talking about wearing a ball gown to the grocery store (but if that’s your thing, we support it). This recently happened twice in a row to a friend who showed up to her law school lecture with a blazer over her T-shirt and jeans.
Whether we like it or not (we don’t), the reality is that women often need to do more than men to get the same amount of respect—and that includes the way we dress. Until that changes, here are some comebacks to keep handy for the next time you get some unsolicited style advice:
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“Sorry, does my blazer make your fleece vest feel intimidated?”
(Assuming he’s wearing an ill-fitting and/or stained T-shirt.) “They say dress for the job you want, so I’m guessing you’re an aspiring...professional Fortnite player?”
“Oh, Ted, I’m glad you’re here. The printer needs ink. Or toner. Maybe both.” (Most effective on people not named Ted.)
“I’m surprised you noticed! It doesn’t look like you’re into fashion…”
“If only I made more than 79% of what a man doing my same job would make, then maybe I could afford a hoodie as nice as yours.”
