Valentione's Day Items

[Iscah]

Part of my dislike for the dress is how it's going to hang on a femroe over how the vest will look. If you look at like, the princess dress, or any big skirt'ed armor, they've rigged the armor model REALLY high on the waist compared to other races.

I'm not sure if it's the height exactly, but I've definitely noticed that the angle of skirts on Roegadyn is tilted forward compared to other races, so they sit awkwardly forward at the front and the hem doesn't hang down evenly.

(The princess dress is huge and too high on the waist for everyone - I suspect it was modelled for Lalafell first. This was a screenshot I'd taken a while back of it on my Midlander and a photoshopped attempt to make it look better.)

[Eloah]

'Well *I* don't see that many people using the *insert 2B or bunny suit sets here* so obviously they were not a big deal and so I don't see why the devs should waste their time on this whole gender-gear issue.'

Most people I know who use the items that have become unrestricted, like the 2B attire or the bunny suit, tend to use them in private.

No matter what, the gender issue will never go away, but at least SE is making a conscious effert to make things fair, I think. I personally feel the only reason this is an issue at the moment is because a vast majority of people who play female characters are stating they don't like the dress, even before they can try it on. And people who advocate for "gender equality" are quick to point out that the male version of something is actually unique by comparison, this time.

But how unique is it really? It's just another suit jacket with slacks; but it does feel like more effort was put into it so it would feel "less plain". The difference being though, that dress physics tend to vary, whereas the suits tend to remain the same, so people have an easier time visualizing the male outfit over the female one.

The bottom line is this, people's personal preferences aside. Modeling for each race and gender takes time, except for lalafells since they "share" a model. But, we are being given two gender-locked outfits, both of which look like they were give equal time and effort in designing. That is equality. No matter what people are gonna find something to complain about, it similarly happened with the Spriggan outfit too. I think females complained the top was "closed" and they got shorts and "stockings" again. Guys on the other hand were happy to get another capri style pant. But no one can deny that this is SE being fairer then they have in the past.

Two things of note I wanna mention that I remember seeing.

One, I think I saw someone mention gender locked hairstyles, besides the recent Ivalice hairstyles, I dont think any hairstyle has been gender locked since before Heavensward's release or a little after if anything.

And Two, I think the main reason Y'shtola got a new outfit over some of the other Scions isn't because they wanted to make more female glamd, it has more to do with her being FFXIV's poster child; so she will always get the "good shite" lol.

EDIT: I hate my phones auto correct.

[Iscah]

One, I think I saw someone mention gender locked hairstyles, besides the recent Ivalice hairstyles, I dont think any hairstyle has been gender locked since before Heavensward's release or a little after if anything.

That was me.

The hairstyles aren't actually locked but the ones added as HoH/Eureka prizes were more likely to appeal to female characters, and originated in the hairstyle design contest as female designs.

People complained about this favouring female characters, even though the equivalent male entries were already in the game for free - and adding the female ones as rare rewards meant that (1) it was harder to get them and (2) people who got it and didn't want it - eg. because they had male characters - could potentially make gil selling it.

[Sated]

And the whole 'the set you take automatically switches to the gender your character is' is also... terrible. They just need to step away from gender-locking sets of gear completely.

Yea, the single-item rewards are really the worst version of it - an item shouldn't drastically change its appearance when the player equips it.

At least these gender-exclusive versions have the option to be more easily be completed in the future.

[Eloah]

That was me.

The hairstyles aren't actually locked but the ones added as HoH/Eureka prizes were more likely to appeal to female characters, and originated in the hairstyle design contest as female designs.

People complained about this favouring female characters, even though the equivalent male entries were already in the game for free - and adding the female ones as rare rewards meant that (1) it was harder to get them and (2) people who got it and didn't want it - eg. because they had male characters - could potentially make gil selling it.

It's not a "fair" comparison by any means, but the equivalent hairstyles were added to PvP and the Ishgard Restoration. Far easier than HoH or Eureka, but there is still a barrier.

The ones you are referencing are, Gyr Abanian Plait(HoH) and Form and Function(Eureka). The equivalent hairstyles are Style for Hire(PvP) and Modern Legend(Ishgard). All 4 are the contest hairstyles.

Here is a list for anyone interested in locating any hairstyle.

https://ffxivcollect.com/hairstyles

[Just_Jak]

Honestly I think the complaint, for me at least, is that there isn't just an option for us to choose. Not all women like dresses. I hate wearing them myself, and the dress doesn't suit my main. It'll be great for an alt of mine, but I'd like the ability to choose the men's set for my female character...and well, we were told they'd stop gender-locking/un-gender lock things. Having the first holiday of the year have two great glams that are gender locked kinda undermines that promise. Not to mention that not all women like dresses, nor all men suits. No point in arguing with each other, when I think it's honestly just easier to say that all people have different preferences. My preference for the suit is strong enough to get me on the forums at last, because women have no options like this set men are getting - the 'best man's' set isn't great at all, and there's...the GSM vest? That you need to be an 80GSM for and can only wear as that job. Men do need some better glams, but it doesn't hurt for women to be able to wear them, as well. The sets are nice, and I'm grateful for them - they're both so good looking. I do just...wish we could pick which one we want, no matter our character's gender. Because the sets are so good!

[Eloah]

Honestly I think the complaint, for me at least, is that there isn't just an option for us to choose. Not all women like dresses. I hate wearing them myself, and the dress doesn't suit my main. It'll be great for an alt of mine, but I'd like the ability to choose the men's set for my female character...and well, we were told they'd stop gender-locking/un-gender lock things. Having the first holiday of the year have two great glams that are gender locked kinda undermines that promise. Not to mention that not all women like dresses, nor all men suits. No point in arguing with each other, when I think it's honestly just easier to say that all people have different preferences. My preference for the suit is strong enough to get me on the forums at last, because women have no options like this set men are getting - the 'best man's' set isn't great at all, and there's...the GSM vest? That you need to be an 80GSM for and can only wear as that job. Men do need some better glams, but it doesn't hurt for women to be able to wear them, as well. The sets are nice, and I'm grateful for them - they're both so good looking. I do just...wish we could pick which one we want, no matter our character's gender. Because the sets are so good!

Your sentiment is warranted, everyone should be able to wear whatever they want, regardless of gender. But we do have to take into account that these items do take time to impliment. We also have to take into account that when anyone, designs outfits or uniform for each gender, the go to is usually a suit for males and a dress for females, since that is the easiest differentiation method we have. The stick figures on bathrooms could easily be reversed, but they are too engrained in our minds otherwise.

However, one thing you said is a bit counterintuitive to the current situation, though I don't think you meant it that way.

Men do need some better glams, but it doesn't hurt for women to be able to wear them, as well.

This statement is or was actually how the devs initially viewed the glamours they created. They'd make an outfit for males and think it would look good on females so unlocked it. However, they would not do the same with the sets made for females, they left those gender-locked. This is what created that divide and spiraled to a head with the Bunny Suit and Thavnairian outfits. Gender locking isn't good, but as long as an equality is maintained, one set male one female, the heart of the issue is pacified.

The rewards for this event are "fair" at least in regards to maintaining base equality. Glamours for retainers aside, which SE has addressed.

I do however have a question, that I feel might show how arbitrary this topic is for the current event.

This isn't the first time we've had gender-locked event rewards. And by that I mean the items are seperate, not that they have a different look but are the same item. we've gotten them before in the following events:

Valentine's Day - the male and female aprons. The male version just being a reskin of the culinarian's level 50 outfit. The female version was a complete origional.

Little Ladies Day - the Songbird and Senechal attire, and the Lady and Lord's Suikan, as well as their respective clogs. The Songbird and Senechal outfits are again a "dress" and a "suit" on equal footing, and the Suikan's are very similar too, hemp length being different though. The only major difference being the socks on the female clogs.

Moonfire Faire - various swimsuits and yukatas, all of which are on equal footing with another compared to real world attire. Males even get flat wood clogs and females sockless ones. But at the same time, why can't males get a one-piece swim suit and females a more sporty look with shirts and a crop top?

All Saint's Wake - the Werewolf outfits are unique with the female outfit being "cuter" and getting a skirt again? Why does a werewolf need a skirt. Why can't males be cute? Also of special mention is the Witch's attire which while one item, is a whole outfit on females compared to males since females have the skirt attached.

The Garo Event also had unique outfits for some of the female jobs, that arguably were better than the male versions.

So it's not like any of this is new. And in most cases the same rules applied, you could only receive the one for your gender, but maybe get the other gendered one later, through either the event or the Calamity Salvager. So why the uproar now. In all of the previous instances the gear was fair, something equally nice for males and females, but no one ever really complained, at least not to this much of a degree.

Honestly, I really do think it's a case of the female outfit being really disliked among the people who play female characters. And because they dislike it people are clamoring for the unlock, probably because the male version is similarly themed but less busy. I'm not saying gender-locking is good, or that things shouldn't be unlocked, but I dont think this outfit is the proper platform to hard press the issue on. I think people just don't like the female version and don't wanna just say that and move on. Honestly, how often do you wear the other event specific items, that usually have specific themes that people might not wanna wear on a daily basis.

Not every piece of gear will be for everyone, bit that doesnt mean the devs are being unfair.

[Tsalmaveth]

There was an interview were Yoshida was quoted saying they were going to be easing off and removing restrictions. It got people's hopes WAY way up. Then data was found with sets being unlocked. People got... VERY excited. Then the 2B set appeared.

People have been... chomping at the bit. The thought that 'hey... maybe JUST maybe... the devs have learned that we do not like or want sets to be this way IN GENERAL and they should stop doing it' as a whole. That we, the players, thought the overall feeling from the developers had started to move AWAY from this from seeing the mentioned interview and the 'found data' and so on... we are A TAD BIT DISAPPOINTED about all of this. And these forums are EXACTLY THE PLACE to voice our feelings on the matter. This is where FEEDBACK is supposed to be. It isn't just 'hey... so the dress is ugly so... NOW we're going to complain'... Nah. It ain't that. It's build up from other things.

[Sated]

It's honestly disheartening to see so many people rag on the dress. I know it's not as unique a look as the vest is but I love it. I really wish I could use it.

[WhiteArchmage]

It's honestly disheartening to see so many people rag on the dress. I know it's not as unique a look as the vest is but I love it. I really wish I could use it.

My main gripe about the dress is that those kind of skirts don't translate well to taller races. As Iscah pointed out, the skirts tend to flare and angle awkwardly as they're designed for the more "kawaii waifu" body types like Au Ra. It's not BAD, it's just an awkward look and Viera look downright amazing in shirts and slacks. Hell, I'd even take turning off the ears to wear the guys' hat (although the ladies' hat also looks pretty dapper). But hey, if people like the dress and want to wear it, male or female, that's cool, too, just not my thing.

EDIT: Also, good gods that princess dress looks terrible, thank the gods I never bought it.