Well, I see your point but I disagree to some extent about how you phrase it, wf. Guys have it comparitively "easy" in the clothing/appearance department because they choose simple grooming habits and uncomplicated apparel. Women, on the other hand, choose to wear expensive makeup, elaborate hairstyles and fragile clothing.
I don't know if I can completely agree with you. If it's the woman's choice and not the man's, then men's magazines would have a completely different look. But since men's magazines are mostly edited and photographed by men, and they are the ones who choose the look and the clothes, then the message being sent is that it's what men want.
Not even the most beautiful women in the world, models and celebrities, pose without makeup and clothing.And when you go to a bar, it's generally going to be the one who has the makeup perfect, the hair done, the sexy clothes that is getting the attention.
It's a mixed message. Men want you to look like a model, but they want it to be "natural". Even models don't look like a model when they wake up in the morning.
Clothes, makeup, hair....it's all dictated by society and the response one gets from others.
Even men are falling under the pressure now. The metrosexual look, for example. Where they buy their clothes, what brand, their watch, who does their hair, what hair products they use. There a skin care and face cream lines just for men. Magazines with men dressed in designer clothes with a six pack underneath. Even so, they can get away with using just shampoo in their hair. If I don't run conditioner thru mine and let it sit while I finish my shower, then rinse,etc., my hair is going to be a bitch to comb, and dry, and frizzy. But believe me, any man I have been involved with would have a heart attack if I even thought of getting it cut off.
Again, I will go to the grocery store and out to lunch without makeup. I'll even wear my glasses and throw my hair up and feel just fine. But I can guarantee that if I was standing there casual vs. dressed up to go out, I'm going to get the most response to the dressed up me from the very same guys who state they love the "all natural" look.