That's true. I agree with you absolutely... to the point where I'm still irrationally afraid of groups of teenage girls because they might start saying mean things. (I'm getting close to 40 so you know, it's pretty silly but... yeah, totally get you.)

Teens are often mean and have a very visceral way of finding the top and bottom of the so-called food chain. By god, I think most of us have been on the receiving end (many of us even on the "giving" end, no doubt) of telling someone how stupid they look and so on. I was not very clear in my reply - I want to correct that now.

I do believe that as ADULTS we should be able to let anyone's mean comments about our fashion choices or whatever to be what they actually are - some (usually) bitter person's way of projecting their own insecurities and then pulling you down by nasty commentary. It is often very subtle so it can be hard to explain to e.g. your company's HR department etc., but the bottom line is: you won't be stoned to death if you decide to wear "manly" clothes at the office or something.

Is it fair when someone makes you feel like shit about these things? Never. Sadly, our reality is rarely fair, if ever. So sometimes it really is up to us - as adult women - to let those comments pass and give them exactly the amount of attention they require: zero.