# If I wanted to dress like a prostitute, I would shop at the Ho Store. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 5, 2002, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541 "2002-06-05T21:43:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![trishdish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d2c977/32.png) [@trishdish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trishdish)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/1 "2002-06-05T21:43:30Z")
Ah, my first Pit Rant. Please let me be worthy…please let me be worthy… Okay, what’s the deal with skin tight, flesh baring, ass crack showing, hoochie mamma cleavage, so called “clothing”, aka fabric once intended cover your nakedness, I’m seeing in the stores these days? And I’m not shopping at Hoes-Is-Us. I’m talking about places like The Gap, The Limited, Banana Republic… Also know that I’m not some geriatic, housecoat wearing old coot. I’m 32, reasonably fit size 10 woman who is not yet ready to start shopping at Talbots but would like to continue to purchase clothes at the stores she’s shopped at for years. But when did it become the norm to wear something that has your tits hanging out of it? When did club wear become casual wear? Did I not get the memo saying that I should wear skirts that reveal my cooter to my office?!? This all seems so counter-intuitive as well. While in the papers I keep reading that we, Mericans, are now the fattest, most bloated people on the planet and that 2 year olds are keeling over with massive coronaries on the playground, would it then not make sense that clothiers would instead be providing to the masses things more tent-like to cover their girth? Who exactly is wearing these flesh baring trollop costumes? Women who walk around thinking the are Miss Thang but instead are Miss Watch It Jiggle? Who can I blame for this travesty? Can I blame Britney? Can I blame Canada? Please, please, enlighten me! ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/2 "2002-06-05T21:53:50Z")
> [@](#): > > Who exactly is wearing these flesh baring trollop costumes? Well, trollops, of course. God bless 'em. ---
**Author:** ![trishdish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d2c977/32.png) [@trishdish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trishdish)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/3 "2002-06-05T22:03:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Drastic \* > \*\* > Well, trollops, of course. God bless 'em. \*\* Okay, then, for the sake of argument, how about some equally opportunity male trollop (what is the male version of a trollop?!? A shimbo?!?) fashion? ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/4 "2002-06-05T22:30:54Z")
Hrm. Fashion. That would require shopping, for clothes. Clothes. Shopping. For clothes. Going shopping. Doesn’t compute, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![tevya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@tevya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tevya)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/5 "2002-06-05T22:44:17Z")
You hit the nail on the head when you said it looks like club wear is becoming casual wear. I"ve seen the same thing but haven’t been able to put a name to the phenomenon. I think that it is mostly teenagers who are wearing the clothes. Their bodies have not yet reached maximum flabocity (like us unfortunate old fogeys). [sub]I’m not sure if that grammar is correct – it might be “like **we** unfortunate old fogeys.”[/sub] I say blame Canada and Britney Spears. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Slainte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Slainte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slainte)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/6 "2002-06-05T22:47:48Z")
[Help is on the way](http://www.usatoday.com/money/covers/2002-05-20-gap.htm) ---
**Author:** ![lucwarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@lucwarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucwarm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/7 "2002-06-06T02:06:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by trishdish \* > \*\* > > Okay, then, for the sake of argument, how about some equally opportunity male trollop (what is the male version of a trollop?!? A shimbo?!?) fashion? \*\* I think the male version of a miniskirt is a professional degree. Seems to have an analogous effect anyway. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/8 "2002-06-06T02:12:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by trishdish \* > \*\*Ah, my first Pit Rant. > > Please let me be worthy…please let me be worthy… > > \*\* I’m not generally the go-to guy around here when it comes to rating these things, but I would like to compliment you on your panache. IOW, entirely worthy, my dear, entirely worthy. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/9 "2002-06-06T02:15:01Z")
Is it just me and my dirty little brain, or does anyone else see a problem with men in miniskirts (think dangly bits)? Oh, you can blame Canada for skimpy clothing if you want, but have you _seen_ our weather 10 months of the year?!? Maybe save blaming Canada until parkas and three layers of clothing become fashionable. 😃 (and yes, I got the South Park reference. I do the best Terence and Philip imitation for miles around, I’ll have you know.) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/10 "2002-06-06T03:14:56Z")
> [@](#): > > [sub]Please let me be worthy…please let me be worthy… [/sub] [Deep, Echoey, Star-Trek-Omnipotent-Energy-Being Voice] We deem this rant… WORTHY! [/Deep, Echoey, Star-Trek-Omnipotent-Energy-Being Voice] Extra points for using the word “cooter”. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/11 "2002-06-06T05:12:19Z")
My personal fav look, is when you get _YOUNG_ girls, wearing super low rise hootchie pants, a teeny-tiny little tank that probably ties on their body, and then they have a big nasty roll poking out in between ala an inner tube around their mid section. I mean, we all have a bit of extra flesh here and there, but for the love of Pete - cover it up! Blech! As an aside, sales at the Gap this past couple of seasons have been totally abysmal - people who shop at the Gap are usually 20 - 30 - 40 something’s. Most of us don’t want our crotchet hanging out the front of our pants. Personally, if I have to wax before I can wear my jeans, they’re just too damn low. The young gals that actually favor this fashion (and probably look reasonably decent in it anyhow) don’t shop at the Gap. Hence - crapo sales. There is some justice in the world. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/12 "2002-06-06T05:30:23Z")
> [@](#): > > how about some equally opportunity male trollop (what is the male version of a trollop?!? A shimbo?!?) They have them, and they look _fabulous._ Skin-tight pants, halter tops, etc. Yum, yum, yum. Check out [http://boymeetsboy.keenspace.com](http://boymeetsboy.keenspace.com) . ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/13 "2002-06-06T06:08:45Z")
You know - the same thing happens in shops here, and I really don’t get it. Although this is the most liberal place in the Gulf, and you can get away with “showing your shoulders” (woo!) many stores are full of **ho** crap. Lycra skirt cut to the muff, ski-slope cleavage skimpy tops, slutty stuff with lacing and cut outs and bondagey strap stuff. And even more unbelievably - **the hos don’t wear it!!** Because there are many hos here, but their profession being just somewhat _illegal_ in an Islamic country, they tend to dress like “normal” women. Which is why us normal women, in a pair of trousers and non-revealing top, tend to get mistaken for hos by less worldly locals and subcontinental expats. So who the flying fuck is wearing this street-struttin’ gear? ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/14 "2002-06-06T06:14:36Z")
Just take a peek under those robes, **istara**! (I’m assuming in Dubai the all enveloping robes are still fairly common, correct me if I’m wrong) The most “respectable” looking ones are probably the ones with the least respectable stuff underneath… ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/15 "2002-06-06T06:27:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by istara \* > **Lycra skirt cut to the muff, ski-slope cleavage skimpy tops, slutty stuff with lacing and cut outs and bondagey strap stuff.** Am I the only one with a sudden urge to visit Dubai? As for the **OP** , I second the props for using the word _cooter_ with such style. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/16 "2002-06-06T10:33:23Z")
I think a lot of it comes down to [the sexualization & objectification of young teens](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=116374&highlight=sexualization) and to business interests pushing pornography into the mainstream–what William F. Buckley termed [the creepy wallpaper of our daily lives.](http://www.nationalreview.com/19nov01/buckley111901.shtml). In short, no laughing matter. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/17 "2002-06-06T10:53:03Z")
A friend of mine once coined the term “An inch below minge base”. I think that says it all, really. pan ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/18 "2002-06-06T12:45:50Z")
Yeah, I’ve noticed lately how hard it is to find decent clothes. At my age (28) and my weight (none of your business), I just can’t and wouldn’t wear low riders and skimpy tops like that. It’s nearly impossible to find fashionable but not faddish clothes. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/19 "2002-06-06T13:07:43Z")
I’ll admit that I’m at a loss here. I have never had the kind of money it takes to go clothes shopping. If necessary, I buy a shirt and a pair of jeans every year or so, but otherwise I rely on Christmas. Also, I don’t watch MTV, so I don’t know what might be affecting the minds of our youth as far as fashion. I almost hate to ask, but … cite? ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/20 "2002-06-06T13:47:23Z")
By cite do you mean examples of this type of fashion? [http://msn.eonline.com/Gossip/Fashion/Archive/0,1642,279,00.html](http://msn.eonline.com/Gossip/Fashion/Archive/0,1642,279,00.html) [http://msn.eonline.com/Gossip/Fashion/Archive/0,1642,273,00.html](http://msn.eonline.com/Gossip/Fashion/Archive/0,1642,273,00.html) [http://msn.eonline.com/Gossip/Fashion/Archive/0,1642,274,00.html](http://msn.eonline.com/Gossip/Fashion/Archive/0,1642,274,00.html) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541.md?page=2)