During the period leading up to the 1920s, it was fascinating to witness the perception of female ankles and shins as objects of desire within Western societies, despite the fact that men commonly donned knickers.

In Japanese culture, there is a certain allure associated with the back of a woman’s neck, eliciting a sense of fascination and sensuality. Similarly, in contemporary Middle Eastern societies, there exists a strong emphasis on concealing a woman’s face, adding an air of mystery and modesty to their culture.

In the course of the Gulf War in 1991, it was strictly prohibited for female members of the U.S. army to don t-shirts that exposed their arms. This measure was implemented as a means to avoid any potential offense to the Saudi Arabian allies. Consequently, women, unlike their male counterparts, were compelled to endure the scorching heat while donning the complete army uniform.

Yes, throughout history, clothing standards have often been determined by gender, and these standards have evolved over time, sometimes reflecting societal values, power dynamics, or cultural norms.

Historical Context: The example of female ankles being considered erotic in Western cultures underscores the shifting nature of modesty standards. What was deemed immodest in one era becomes commonplace in another.
Power and Control: Often, restrictive clothing norms, especially for women, have been a way to exert control over their bodies and actions. Corsets, for instance, while fashionable, also physically restricted movement.
Cultural Influences: Clothing standards can also be influenced by religious or cultural beliefs. For instance, in many traditional societies, women are required to cover more of their bodies than men due to modesty norms.
Gender Expectations: Clothing has often been a tool to reinforce traditional gender roles. For instance, blue for boys and pink for girls is a relatively recent Western convention, but it’s deeply ingrained in modern society.
Fluidity and Change: Despite these historical norms, there’s been a gradual shift towards more gender-neutral clothing and a breakdown of traditional gender-based clothing standards, especially in the 21st century. This is part of a broader movement towards recognizing and accepting gender fluidity.
Practicality vs. Norm: In some cases, gendered clothing evolved from practical needs. For example, men’s shirts have buttons on the right because men traditionally carried weapons and buttoning with the left hand was easier. However, many other gender-based clothing norms don’t have such clear practical origins and are more a result of societal conventions.

The changing nature of clothing norms based on gender underscores the fluidity of societal standards and the potential for societies to evolve and redefine norms over time.