Comfortable Clothing Quest

Time to get my panties in a bunch about an issue.  Okay I'm grouchy.  Why am I grouchy?  Well its a few things really but mainly just one, clothing.  I'm wanting some new clothes and shoes but I want comfort to be a factor in my quest.  It is a quest because comfortable clothing is hard to find.

Why can't womens' clothing be made for comfort?  I'd like nothing better than to wear something similar to pajamas all day and even in public if I knew I wasn't going to be judged.  But I have to be realistic, I know other females are going to judge me.  Most men don't care what the female is wearing on her body as long as its a nice face and body to look at.  By no means am I saying men are shallow but they are visual creatures that get turned on usually first by how a woman's body is undress-able in their minds.

So okay with that thought in mind why are the men the main fashion designers?  And if its the women that are designing my clothing then why the heck is it so uncomfortable and unforgiving?

Over the weekend I went shoe shopping with my husband.  We purchased him a new pair of running shoes as his were starting to show wear after six months.  Usually we buy him two pairs at a time so he can switch off on them.  This time he refused the second pair.  Why I don't know?  But any way I'll get to the shoes for women.  Why is it that all the pretty pairs of shoes are so uncomfortable?  I like the look of high heels and how they make my butt look curvier but I don't like how there is never enough room in the toe box, nor enough padding in the toe box.  I mean come on now, if you want me to wear the dang things for hours on end at a party or even at a work place how about adding some padding and a bigger toe box, toes do swell with all the body weight being put on them.

As for the adorable ballet flats, how about adding an arch support?  The comfort factor is almost perfect in them but for the fact that the arches are lacking the necessary support to prevent plantar fasciitis.  At this point I'd rather don an ugly sneaker that I know will support my feet properly when I'm walking for hours on end.

Now lets get to the heart of the matter with the bras and panties.  Why are they using synthetic materials in fabrics that are so close to the skin?  Polyester does not breath.  Nor does the foam lining in the "t-shirt" bras.  In summer time we women do sweat.  So who's stupid idea was it to use fabrics that don't wick away sweat but allow it to just sit there on our skin causing rashes?  Cotton bras are out there but often times they are ugly as sin.  A cotton bra with some natural fiber lace, wide comfort strap and a nice plunging neckline would be a treat to find.  Readers if you know of any shops that sell just that for someone with a DD cup let me know.

As for the panties, get real.  How come mens elastic in their underwear is wider and more often then not, covered with a soft cotton or silk fiber?  Why don't womens underwear have the same feature? We've come a long way since the steel or whale bone corsets and long cotton underwear but has it been for the better?  All-cotton panties can be found but usually the elastic waist band is not comfortable.  Forget thong panties, I used to wear those but they can be quite uncomfortable if your pants have the tendency to ride up or slide down when working.

Socks are a wonderful item.  I love a soft pair of socks.  But I don't like socks that are synthetic fibers.  Our feet do sweat and if you are wearing the same pair of socks for eight plus hours your feet run the risk of catching athlete's foot.  Who wants to stand all day in a pair of sweaty socks and uncomfortable shoes?

Forget the panty hose.  Pantyhose are one of the worst ideas to come to market.  More women have had to experience a yeast infection from wearing a polyester sausage casing in summer time than from wearing cotton tights. Luckily I've never had a yeast infection, TMI yes I know.  I gave up on panty hose years ago.  Women, get yourself a garter belt and your body will thank you.  Plus a garter belt and hose are ever so much more sexy than support top panty hose.

I want comfortable clothing.  I want quality clothing.  Clothing that will last longer than just one season and stay fashionable.  So if you see me in a t-shirt and jeans you'll know that I don't care about looking chic I just want to feel comfortable of which makes me happy.  In the end does anything else really matter but your own happiness when it comes to clothing?

Women In Combat; Fighting A Losing Battle

photo from:http://www.military.com/news/article/politics-likely-to-keep-women-out-of-combat-units.html?ESRC=eb.nl

Okay well this just ruined my day.  I had such high hopes that women would finally be treated as fully equal to the males.  I guess not.  Yet again our equality has been put on the back burner.  I thought for sure with the repeal of the DADT (don't ask don't tell) the next logical step would be to allow women to enter into the combat infantry jobs.

Of course, as per usual, it all boils down to the politics.  The squeaky wheel gets the grease and someone isn't squeaking a loudly as they did for the gay population as they should be for equal rights for women in the military.  Yes, I know women are considered to have those equal rights already, but when we are denied certain jobs because of our gender that is far from equality.

Some of you might ask why it bothers me so much since I'm just an Army Wife?  Well its because I think that all women should have equal opportunities in all areas of the military and civilian jobs.  Just because our reproductive parts are on the inside doesn't mean we can't do the job.  Ask a female body builder if she can lift more than the average male soldier and you might find out that she can.  I get tired of hearing that our bodies aren't strong enough.  If our bodies aren't strong enough then how come we can give birth vaginally to eight pound babies without anesthetic?  Not to mention that labor lasts for hours.  So I ask, why are they afraid of us not being able to handle the possibility of being held prisoner and tortured?  Why do they think that we'll cave to our emotions?  Have they never seen an enraged female protecting their loved ones?

Good grief!  To you politicians out there, wise up.  Women are equal to men in every aspect.  We women deserve the chance to prove ourselves.  Oh and don't tell me that we might be risking other lives while trying to prove ourselves in combat.  Males in the infantry combat positions that have yet to prove themselves risk other lives just as much as the untested female counterparts.

Feel free to weigh-in on your opinions.  I'd love to know what my readers are thinking about this post.

Women In Combat; One Step Closer

photo from: Panel To Recommend Allowing Women In Combat

As stated previously in my post, Women In Combat, I feel as though women are capable of holding combat positions with the proper training.  I like the idea of women in combat.

It has been shown that when women are in combat it creates a better unit cohesiveness.  It improves morale.  A properly trained soldier, whether male or female, will do their job without regard to their sex. 

My previous posting of this hot topic showed how many people were for and against women being in combat.  Some of my readers posted on Facebook their support of women in combat.  Other readers posted how they didn't want women in combat and their shallow reasoning as to why.  What are we afraid of?  Are we afraid that our husbands are going to have sex with these female soldiers?  Seriously ladies if they were going to cheat they wouldn't wait for the war zone, they'd cheat at home too. 

Is it because you think a woman can't handle the job?  No soldier is required to lift beyond their capacity as in you aren't going to see a sixty-two inch tall woman hefting over her shoulders a seventy-two inch male and carrying him across the battle zone.  Drag the guy yes, two person carry most likely. All soldiers are trained for their jobs and continue to receive countless hours of training for their job throughout their careers. 

Some readers made comments on how the hygiene would be a big issue for females.  I think females, properly trained on field conditions, know what to do and how to stay clean.  They do train both sexes of soldiers on field hygiene.

There are women in combat roles already, so what is so wrong with changing their job title to that of front line combat?  What are we afraid of?  Women in the military chose the jobs that they want just like their male counterparts do when entering into the service.  Its not like women are going to be forced into the combat positions without proper training.

For those of you against women in combat, well its time to re-think your position.  We will be entering those traditionally male only roles and very soon.

Good luck to the female soldiers.  Thank you for your sacrifices.

Women In Combat

Photo from news article, Army Mulls Women In Combat Arms Units.

Personally I like the idea of combat jobs in the US Army opening up to women.  Women have been in combat already but still aren't allowed to hold infantry positions which would put them on the front lines.

I also think that we should have a more uniform Army and that women entering BCT, Basic Combat Training, should be required to shave their heads just like their male counterparts.  I'm sure that there are a few that would disagree with the hair cut of my design but its for hygiene reason.  Think about rolling around in the mud with long hair falling down in your eye from your bun or however it has been pulled up with the bobby pins.  Shave it off and you won't have to worry about the hair issue.  Hair does grow back.

I asked my husband a few weeks ago about the issue of women in combat positions.  He believe that for hygiene reason, menstruation, that it just won't happen.  There are medications that can be taken that will just about stop the menstrual cycle completely when administered properly.

What other hygiene reason now?  The hair, maybe, but see above how I feel on that issue.

Is it because we have breasts?  Well I've seen enough guys in their uniform that have breasts that rival mine and I'm far from being flat chested.

Is it that we pee in a squat position?  Well the guys have to squat to defecate and expose their butts so what if we do it  for both.

Is it that they are afraid that we'd get raped?  Um, well hate to tell you guys but you can also get raped and I'm sure its not going to be something you'll enjoy.  Should we take men out of combat because they might get raped?

Is it our hormones?  If you are afraid of our hormone cycles then you shouldn't have a girlfriend, wife, or a female child.  It doesn't matter whether the female is in combat or on the homefront we are still going to have hormone challenges just as is the male counterpart.  Oh wait did I just say that men get hormonal?  Yes I did.  Its called Irritable Man Syndrom, IMS.  Its a proven fact that men also cycle through their hormones and get cravings for particular foods.  Usually its beer and beef but we all know that beer will bloat you too and make you cranky if you can't fit into your pants.  Maybe that is why they started making low calorie beers, too many men complaining about bloat?

But in all seriousness I know of several female soldiers that would love to have the chance to be in combat positions.  Not all of us females are stupid enough to take our rifles into the showers to clean them.  Give women an equal shake in the US Army.  We can do the job.