Why does "Dressing Up" have a Female Connotation?

"You think I might look nicer with eyeshadow?"

I was in school today to complete a group project. Since I didn't have any official lessons on, I decided to dress down. So I came in my very relaxed T-shirt and bermudas. While having lunch with a group mate, I noticed how so many of the girls in school were dressed nicely. They were colour-coordinated, they knew what looked nice on themselves and most had make-up applied.

For me, the experience was rather surreal. For 2 years, I was stuck in a camp for 5 days in a week. From the time I woke up, to the time I hit my bed to sleep at night, all I saw were guys in No. 4. And if you haven't already heard from your friends, there were those who didn't shower for 2,3 or even 4 days. Yes. They did not shower in camp. They do not make use of the shower facilities from the time they book in to the time they book out. Most of us wouldn't bat an eyelid at someone who looks dishevelled. Now, there were girls all over the school, girls who look like dressing and grooming is second nature to them. Girls who apply make up like it was their second skin.

I then turned my attention to the guys. (If anybody thinks that this is a sign of homosexuality, I don't think you are mature enough to read this blog.) Besides a few who bothered to dress up and those doing presentations, the guys looked relaxed, either in their bermudas or jeans.

So I guess the assumption that can be made here is that guys don't care how they look, not as much as girls anyway. But if you really probe deeper, is it because guys only have limited fashion choices? Is it a chicken and egg situation? Is it because the guys can't be bothered to dress up, considering they never had to make any fashion choices back in army?

How bout the girls? Why do they bother so much about dressing up? Societal norm? Peer pressure? Whatever happened to the notion of natural beauty? Would that perfect tinge of pink blush scream louder than your character? Do they do it to attract attention? Whose? Their boyfriends? Their potential boyfriends? Any other guy? If everyone dresses up, wouldn't the odd one out then be the one who attracts the most attention?

So I could spend ages wondering why it is they bother so much about their appearances. Perhaps I could ask one of them. Perhaps it could even be a project topic. Or I could just keep wondering for the next four years I study here. -Jimmy