# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/41 "2002-06-08T02:52:23Z")
Thankfully I had already amassed a large collection of clothes before this phase; storing cans in the shelter before nuclear war, if you will. 😉 And **Monty** , what about Tart Mart? ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/42 "2002-06-10T00:51:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by trishdish \* > **(what is the male version of a trollop?!? A shimbo?!?)** Studmuffin? ---
**Author:** ![Minor\_Irritant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Minor\_Irritant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minor_Irritant)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/43 "2002-06-10T01:44:39Z")
Ah, to be male. **Monty** : how does “Ho Depot” strike you? ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/44 "2002-06-10T02:12:07Z")
What bugs me is this: shorts. It is impossible to find a fashionable, not-revealing pair of shorts nowadays. I mean, most of the ones in the stores are either the size of a postage stamp or the kind that my 50 year-old mother wears. There’s no inbetween. Being someone who has not-so-great legs, this really pisses me off. What also bothers me is the fact that most available clothes are either of what I consider to be the tacky/trashy variety or look like uber-prep clothes (nothing against preps; we just don’t share the same style). I find myself shopping more and more at Hot Topic simply because I find their clothes to be less offensive. If you consider the nature of that store, it’s kinda sad. Then again…I’m the owner of a Fun Bondage Outfit, so who the heck am I to talk? ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/45 "2002-06-10T02:13:50Z")
They already have a store for overweight men who want to show it all off. It’s called the Piggly Wiggly. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/46 "2002-06-10T02:19:59Z")
“Ho Depot?” Nah, I’d rather be around rich ones. ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/47 "2002-06-10T12:36:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by trishdish \* > **what is the male version of a trollop?** A troll, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/48 "2002-06-10T17:46:47Z")
(Is about to comment on skanky fashion, then notices the short, short, low-cut vinyl dress she wore out dancing on Saturday. Decides it probably would be hypocritical.) ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/49 "2002-06-10T17:51:16Z")
On the other hand, I got that dress at a goth shop, not Banana Republic, and I do object to regular clothing stores selling skanky clothes- there are specific stores which cater to the slut market, and the two should remain separate. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/50 "2002-06-10T23:49:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lissla Lissar \* > \*\*(Is about to comment on skanky fashion, then notices the short, short, low-cut vinyl dress she wore out dancing on Saturday. Decides it probably would be hypocritical.) \*\* Uh oh…that’s immodest and you’re just asking for trouble, you _Skandalon_! 😛 Of course, I wear bikini bathing suits. They’re more comfortable, more convenient when using the ladies room, and the fresh summer air feels good on my skin. Plus, any one piece makes me look frumpy. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/51 "2002-06-11T01:53:15Z")
You know, you could transport this thread back in time till, well, whenever (1970’s, 1930’s, Ancient Rome, whenever) and the specific type of “outrageously skimpy” clothing being complained of would vary, but that is all. Face it, the older you get, the more it seems that those damned young people are dressing like tarts, and the more it seems that the shops you used to like now are too tartish for you. It _has_ to be all in the mind’s eye, because if fashion was \*actually[i/] getting skimpier and skimpier over the ages, we’d all be nude by now. Round and round it goes… ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/52 "2002-06-11T02:53:34Z")
(slight cough) Well, **Princhester** , that depends how long a time frame you use, and what countries you’re talking about. Specifically speaking of Western fashion, while there has been a bit of back-and-forth about coverage, I’m pretty sure that no other century has had women wearing as little as they do now. I think the Twenties were the first time Western women had ever showed their knees. Note to everyone: I’m not talking about the Amazon Basin or Africa, I’m talking maybe 5th century C.E. until now, and Western costume. There was even a fairly long period when it was immodest to have one’s hair uncovered. [definite hijack] Also, this is the first time I _think_, that prestige has been displayed entirely through labels instead of through conspicuous consumption of fabric or expensive ornamentation. [end of hijack. Pray continue] ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/53 "2002-06-11T03:18:29Z")
I seem to recall some old story that at different times in the old Roman Empire/Republic there were styles for women which merely propped up their breasts and did not cover them. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/54 "2002-06-11T19:16:54Z")
Um, not sure about the “not covering” bit, but I can imagine sheer stuff, definitely. That’s why I specified “Western costume 5th century Christian era forward”. I think this is the first time in Western costume history that belly tops and bare legs have been fashionable. Even the Regency period was only about clingy low-cut dresses. ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/55 "2002-06-11T20:22:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*I seem to recall some old story that at different times in the old Roman Empire/Republic there were styles for women which merely propped up their breasts and did not cover them. \*\* I think we need to back to that style. Yes, it’s time. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/56 "2002-06-11T23:27:08Z")
Well yes **Lissla Lissar** but what you are doing is focussing on the only part of my broad argument that suits you. Fact is, _I_ wasn’t concentrating on CE, I was commenting on the whole of the human race and all of history. Not only that, but the skimpiness part is not the crux of my point. My main point is that older people complain about the “outrageous” way younger people dress. Period. Whether that is complaining that hemlines are rising, cleavage is falling, ribald toes are on view, a whisp of hair is now to be seen. Whatever. You wanna sound old: complain about young people’s clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/57 "2002-06-12T02:31:59Z")
Didn’t Homer say, “We live in a degenerate age.”? There’s a great bit in _For The Time Being_\* by Annie Dillard where she writes up a list of various complaints throughout history- all about how the present time sucks, and the old days were better. > [@](#): > > You know, you could transport this thread back in time till, well, whenever (1970’s, 1930’s, Ancient Rome, whenever) and the specific type of “outrageously skimpy” clothing being complained of would vary, but that is all. “Outrageous”… yes, every age will complain about the lack of decency in its young people- however, all I was saying was that the complaints weren’t necessarily about “outrageous” and “skimpy” combined. Could be one or the other. It would be an interesting thing to research. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/58 "2002-06-12T03:01:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Princhester \* > \*\* > My main point is that older people complain about the “outrageous” way younger people dress. \*\* Well, in the case of this thread we could give equal time for both genders, but it just so happens that the Menswear department actually _has_ stylish, fashionable clothes that are neither the same Brooks Brothers suit from c. 1960 NOR giant pants large enough to fit 3 people in them, with the waistband at crotch level… while the Women’s department does seem divided between Britney-wear and Maude-wear. So there is a basic element of unfairness there. ---
**Author:** ![trishdish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d2c977/32.png) [@trishdish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trishdish)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/59 "2002-06-25T17:42:07Z")
I had almost completely forgot that I had started this thread! My first pit rant and I have tears running down my cheeks with the thought of the Slut Hut! Love it! The only reason why I’m here is because I was doing a search for another of my posts. And Princhester, the point of my rank wasn’t to complain that those young whippersnappers are showing snatch but instead to say that me, myself and I, would prefer not to when donning my work casual clothing to head into the office. Actually, this article, cited by someone else, [http://www.usatoday.com/money/covers/2002-05-20-gap.htm](http://www.usatoday.com/money/covers/2002-05-20-gap.htm) renewed my faith that I’m not becoming a fuddy duddy, just a thirtysomething chica who prefers not to put on a muff show at the office. The people have spoken. ---
**Author:** ![trishdish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d2c977/32.png) [@trishdish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trishdish)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-dress-like-a-prostitute-i-would-shop-at-the-ho-store/112541/60 "2002-06-25T17:50:22Z")
I had almost completely forgot that I had started this thread! My first pit rant and I have tears running down my cheeks with the thought of the Slut Hut! Love it! The only reason why I’m here is because I was doing a search for another of my posts. And Princhester, the point of my rank wasn’t to complain that those young whippersnappers are showing snatch but instead to say that me, myself and I, would prefer not to when donning my work casual clothing to head into the office. Actually, this article, cited by someone else, [http://www.usatoday.com/money/covers/2002-05-20-gap.htm](http://www.usatoday.com/money/covers/2002-05-20-gap.htm) renewed my faith that I’m not becoming a fuddy duddy, just a thirtysomething chica who prefers not to put on a muff show at the office. The people have spoken. [Previous 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) [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=4)