I think part of the problem is that many of us were raised not to be feminine, in case we attracted men ever. There was I think a great culture of perhaps androgeny at least for Catholic girls and the purpose was to make us unattractive. If you can keep teenage girls in clunky shoes and dark depressing uniforms you have prevented all sorts of interest from boys. The trouble was they never said OK when you are 18/21/35 you can shake loose of all this and wear prettier things. mg