In the not too distant past, European aristocratic males wore both skirt-like garments as well as high heels. (In fact, women adopted high heels from European men and made them daintily and femininely narrower.) Over time, though, the European and American industrial revolutions made bifurcated pants and flat shoes more utilitarian for daily life. Women, however, who were relegated to lives of domesticity continued with the less practical fashion. But there has always been a double standard, as this article discusses in that Western society historically regards men as superior to women. Thus, women who emulate and appropriate masculine symbols (such as pants, blazers, etc) enhance their social status and are viewed as ambitious and stronger. Conversely, men who take on feminine symbols are viewed as less masculine and weaker.
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