Girls just wanna have fun, men just wanna get out.

I have the unfortunate condition of being married to a man that absolutely hates shopping. Well, that's not entirely true - he abhors shopping for anything other than golf equipment, golf accessories, and electronics. He gets edgy and jumpy and visibly uncomfortable; put him in a mall and he will break out into a cold sweat, begin hyperventilating, and run for the nearest exit. I consider shopping as necessary to my spirit as breathing, so after 12 years of marriage we have reached a point where I have taken over nearly all shopping excursions. Husband has no black socks? Kids are growing out of their sneakers? It's time for a teacher appreciation gift? I'm your girl.

However, in the course of my life I've met plenty of guys who loved to go shopping. In high school I dated a man who enjoyed hanging out at the Ralph Lauren store, trying on bespoke shirts and tailored blazers. My college boyfriend loved browsing through Barney's, ogling sharply tailored suits and polished black shoes. And I have friends whose husbands absolutely relish any kind of shopping, whether for cologne or Merino wool sweaters or cashmere overcoats.

A recent article by Christina Brinkley in the Wall Street Journal explores the differences in shopping styles between the sexes. Based on interviews with designers, salesmen and shop owners, Brinkley argues why she believes men are the superior shoppers. Women, she argues, have been encouraged to favor "fast fashion" by the faddish womenswear clothing industry, which has "trained generations to seek out throwaway styles" of clothing that are of lesser quality. Many women I know bypass the opportunity to try on a garment in the store before buying, assuming that because the brand is established, the fit will be flattering. Sophisticated men, on the other hand, are meticulous when considering a purchase, and deathly focused on tailoring and comfort. According to Brinkley, when they go shopping, they peer inside the garment inspecting for loose stitching and soft seams. They are patient and thorough when trying on clothes, stretching and moving to check for puckering and gaping buttons. And they put much less focus on the brand. Men will not compromise tailoring and utility for trendy uncomfortable clothing. Unfortunately, most women will.

I must agree with the theory that men shop differently than women, though not necessarily for the reasons Brinkley mentions. I believe most men shop like they're smartbombs dropped from F-22's. They're tactical. They have lists. If they walk into a mall, they usually know exactly where they're going and what they're buying. They are concerned with durability and comfort because if the item lasts, they can shop less often. They don't pay attention to what's trendy. They don't go from store to store to store. They don't wander aimlessly. They want to get in, buy what they need, and get out. That's it.

While men might be more utilitarian and focused when shopping, there is no doubt that women have much, much more fun. We enjoy buying, owning, exchanging, and trying on dozens of items before making a decision. We love the thrill of locating the perfect shoe and the greatest bargain. We research, we consult our friends, we spend afternoon reading fashion magazines - all for the glory of feeling attractive.

I suppose my shopping style utilizes techniques from both sexes. While I enjoy browsing from store to store, and keeping up on fashion trends, I also put much more weight on how a garment fits and whether it's something that reflects my individual sense of style than its popularity or brand. I believe in trying things on and taking the time to examine for defects. And if it's too tight, it stays in the store, no matter what the price. 

What's your shopping style? Do you believe women have been trained to compromise fit and quality for "fast fashion" and throwaway styles?

Men: What to wear this winter

It seems that lately, EVERYWHERE I look, I see men dressing badly. Single guys, I can (somewhat) excuse. I mean, there's nobody advising them what to wear when they pick out that morning's outfit. Sadly, these single men also seem to live in a dank cave without access to Esquire/GQ/Maxim/any other men's magazine that includes a what-to-wear feature. I also wonder...don't these unfortunate urchins own a mirror? Do they care at all, or are they simply lazy? OR, are these guys completely oblivious to the similarly unflattering looks worn by their gender? I am largely influenced by what other women are wearing. For example, if I see a cool, flattering outfit on another chick, I mentally catalog it and attempt to recreate the look. I'll put my own twist on it and make it my own, but I can't deny that I'm affected by trends and fashionable women.

In the summertime, men challenged by fashion often wear the following uniform: jean shorts, either hemmed or chopped violently from an old, ill-fitting pair of jeans (ick), a faded oversized golf shirt without a pressed collar or a hole-ridden, oversized tee, and either sneakers without socks or mangled flip flops. Sometimes sweat shorts are involved. Fellas, this is not an attractive look. Typically, this outfit is accessorized with a beer gut and flat ass. Sexy! Occasionally, a short-sleeved button-down is involved. I hate those shirts, but that's just me. Hmmm. Allow me to specify: A silk camp shirt and cargo shorts, hot. A poly-cotton plaid with an unpressed collar, not.

In the fall, these poor souls change into pleated chinos, a wrinkled button-down from 1993 or a hooded sweatshirt, and white sneakers with black socks or scuffed tasseled loafers. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.

Now that winter is firmly here, I would like to offer the following suggestions to men regarding what to wear in the cooler months.

• No. Stonewash. Jeans. Ever. Seriously, dark jeans all the way, in a slightly slimmer cut. They hold up longer (even when they fade a little bit) and immediately make you look like you know how to dress yourself, at least a little. Also, if the jeans are too long, for the love of all that is good in the world, have them hemmed. Jeans that pool up around the ankles look terrible.

• Pleated pants are the devil's handiwork. NO PLEATED PANTS. A flat front chino (in grey, navy, camel) or wool slack, on the other hand, is slimming, polished and simple. Dress 'em up or down - they're always a win.

• Just remember this: no woman will ever want to be with the dude in sweat socks and Tevas/Birkenstocks. Keep the sandals to summer. And, while we're on the subject, no Tevas EVER.

• Grooming is important. An unkempt beard that could nest small furry creatures is gross. I don't know when beards came back into fashion - they seem to the the goatees of the 2010's. However, avoid being excessively groomed. I prefer my men a bit more relaxed. Stubble is sexy. Cro-Magnon facial hair is not.

• You need your own suit, something that fits well (I prefer a slim fit) and makes you look and feel like a million bucks. I'd go with gray or black, not navy. Wool only. No polyester blends. As far as a tie: Slim ones, in muted patterns, elongate the chest. On the other hand, a fat tie with a bad-ass knot works too as long as it isn't too loud. Just dress like Don Draper, anywhere, anytime, even at the gym. You'll look ridiculous, but impeccable.

• You can't go wrong with slim-fitting cotton, linen or other natural-fiber button-down shirts (white, blue, gray, black, etc.) Just make sure they don't have weird embroidery or epaulets on the shoulders or anything. And long sleeves only. You can roll them up to show off your manly forearms if it gets warm.

• No Ed Hardy, Affliction, or other tattoo-inspired clothes. End of discussion.

• Also, gym clothes belong at the gym. Sweat shorts, tee shirts, sweat socks and (most) sneakers should remain in the confines of the locker room or running path. I applaud you for working out. But your body-odor scented outfit in the deli is vile.

• A classic leather jacket, fitted but not tight. No pimp coats or anything with tons of pockets and zippers.

• Some sort of bag besides a backpack. A plain leather messenger bag in black or brown leather works fine.

• Shoes: Chuck Taylors, any color. Suede dessert boots. Simple, flat heeled boots. Unadorned polished leather shoes. Dark brown or black are more versatile than saddle or cordovan.

• I'm personally a fan of the chambray/denim shirt on men. It looks rugged and autumn-appropriate. It doesn't hurt that Jon Hamm and Sam Worthington both look devastatingly handsome in them either.

• A dark green army jacket, without much embellishment (such as zippers or grommets) or too much bulk. Simple, masculine, comfortable and chic. Swap for a substantial navy peacoat in colder weather - as long as it's made from a non-piling fabric and is somewhat fitted, it'll work.

• Sweaters can be sexy. V-necks in thin cotton or merino wool are good. Chunky, half-zip sweaters are very attractive.

• Scarves! Trust me, men can wear them and not look all creeptastic daytime-wear-for-weird-discotheque-guy. Keep them somewhat short. No fringe, obnoxious patterns, or floor-draggers. No suffocatingly chunky knits either.

• Hats: baseball caps belong on frat boys, dudes at baseball games, and Little League coaches. Cowboy hats belong on...cowboys. Driver caps and fedoras work. Personally, I dig a man in a tweed or canvas drivers cap.

So there you have it.