Guys, Why are women wearing feminine attire perceived by some males as less adept?

[Anonymous]

Do males automatically perceive women with long hair, wearing a skirt or dress with tights and heels (such as the women pictured), as less skillful, or maybe "minimally capable" at most no matter what? Or is there a way for these women to be initially perceived as intelligent and proficient? Or, even perhaps, more talented (if she is) than a fellow male, or a short-haired female whose attire is less uniquely feminine (such as wearing a t-shirt, blue jeans, and tennis shoes)?

For example:

(Example #1) If I know about something or use a skill of mine, some males are amazed that I know about it, when another male, or even a short-haired female dressed very casually, does not.

(Example #2) Going the other way, if a male, or a short-haired female dressed very casually, knows about something that I don't, in some males' minds it's because of my long hair, or the skirt/dress or nylons or heels that I am wearing.

(Example #3) I work in a profession that is mostly male (I am a tax preparer), and (unofficially) noticed that more male clients in person want a second opinion when I'm dressed as in the photos, as opposed to when I'm wearing pants or giving advice on the phone.

[Anonymous]

I have a bit of a different perspective on this, it’s so rare anymore that a woman, or a man for that matter, dresses up so nice, that it’s a novelty. On top of that, with many women wearing pants and trying to dress like men, that when a woman’s attire is ultra feminine, it throws some men for a loop when the woman demonstrates expertise.

In your case, it could also be the idea that most women don’t have the numbers oriented brain that you obviously have to be a tax accountant, which can be a surprise to some men.

[slatyb]

Women don't have the numbers-oriented brain? That's ridiculous except perhaps at the extreme tail of the distribution. If there is a difference in aptitude between women and men, it's very small. Also being a tax accountant is not mathematically challenging, it's largely a matter of knowing the tax regulations. Arithmetic is not mathematics. Calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, abstract algebra... that's mathematics.

[DryGermanGuy]

I think that was more a problem in older generations, where only the men make the money and their wives are the homemakers. Younger people, where everybody has to work, don’t hold onto these images. 🤔

[Asker]

I thought about that, but I’m seeing some of the same with contemporary young adults, too. For instance, an ex boyfriend of mine, didn’t say anything, but I could clearly sense that he felt uncomfortable with me driving when I’d be dressed like the photos, while he did not feel uncomfortable when I was casually dressed (t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes).

[slatyb]

Insecure men can't stand the thought that a woman can do something better than they can, so they try to make them feel small.

[Asker]

That idea has actually been in the back of my mind. Most instances have not resulted in overt ridicule, but more of a vibe that I sense, of, “how can a woman dressed like that have such skill”, something that doesn’t seem to be there when dressed very casually. Maybe that’s a part of the insecurity about which you refer?

[slatyb]

A young female welder was murdered by a male co-worker recently.

[Asker]

Wow!!! I'm speechless. Is it safe to assume that she was seen as an encroachment in a way ont he male dominated workplace?

[slatyb]

That seems to be the motivation.

[Asker]

That's just sick, in addition to solving nothing, not that there's even a problem in the first place to solve. Males are part of previously female dominated professions, like nursing, so I think that evens out.

[Andrew1968]

Boys who think women are less adept if they wear the above outfits should be required to wear these outfits until they grow up.

[Firesparks]

Every picture there is nothing wrong with them in fact their very beautiful 😍 id rather see that then anything else

[In_Trance]

They're not

[Asker]

... meaning, they're not as capable, or they're not less capable? Could I ask for an elaboration please?