Re the elvish males, they also just look wrong to me without long hair, which is not just attractive-elvish but also softens the gender divide. It's always annoyed me that most real and invented societies have the same old gender markers: 1) voluminous and restrictive clothing for women 2) long and often intricate female hair that will also restrict freedom 3) short hair and functional clothing for men
Just ugh. I'm really enjoying RoP but there are (non-spoilery) sticking points. Why can't the elvish females and males look more alike and more youthful, which would match their longevity and more contemplative culture? And why can't nomadic harfoot women have simple trousers and tunics instead of ridiculously bulky multi-layered skirts that would catch on branches and always hamper their movement? Medieval fashion has a hell of a lot to answer to in fantasy and even SF.
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1) voluminous and restrictive clothing for women
2) long and often intricate female hair that will also restrict freedom
3) short hair and functional clothing for men
Just ugh. I'm really enjoying RoP but there are (non-spoilery) sticking points. Why can't the elvish females and males look more alike and more youthful, which would match their longevity and more contemplative culture? And why can't nomadic harfoot women have simple trousers and tunics instead of ridiculously bulky multi-layered skirts that would catch on branches and always hamper their movement? Medieval fashion has a hell of a lot to answer to in fantasy and even SF.