Are some jobs 'too feminine' in aesthetics?

[Scott]

Female Hyur, maybe, but not Miqo'te. Their ears in particular seem like an afterthought, if they get accounted for at all. They used to, though it's always been extremely hit-and-miss whether the placement makes sense, but I'm not sure if there's been a single new piece released in Shadowbringers that has room for their ears at all.

That may be true. I never played a Miqo so I don't know the ears problem first hand. Maybe its Female Hyur. Would male total sense.

I just recognised that it was far easier in XI to find gear that fits my Male Character than in XIV. Its easier with a Midlander but with a Highlanders many gear pieces just look kinda off. Not feminine or something like that... must of.... as if it just don't fit their broad shoulders so well.

[Theodric]

There's some design decisions that are arguably very strange when it comes to male characters, such as the decision to always forbid Highlander men from having eyebrows that aren't tacked on as face paint. I think it's telling in itself that Highlander women aren't beholden to the same limitations.

I'm hoping that the upcoming addition of Midlander stubble is a sign that we'll see more character customisation options added to the game over time. Ideally I'd like to see a complete overhaul of the system, which may happen at some point...or may not.

Hopefully we see more masculine hairstyles added in Endwalker, too.

[Iscah]

There's some design decisions that are arguably very strange when it comes to male characters, such as the decision to always forbid Highlander men from having eyebrows that aren't tacked on as face paint. I think it's telling in itself that Highlander women aren't beholden to the same limitations.

I don't think it's about gender favouritism.

From what I've noticed – though I don't understand it either – it seems to be an "anime thing" that the hulking muscle man type characters are often drawn without eyebrows. It's the same archetype that Highlander men, but not women, fit into.

So I don't get why, but it's not just something they're making up out of nowhere to make the men ugly. There's a precedent for it.

[Alacran]

I do believe so, however i don't think that it's a bad thing.

I feel jobs & their animations are extensions of our character presentation. FFXIV devs have given us quite a selection in terms of self representation in that regard.

I have never felt there wasn't an issue with my male Highlander Hyur being masculine. As a Dark Knight main & one of my sub jobs being Scholar, most of the jobs i have chosen to level, i feel have been able to represent an older, traveled, experienced, adventurer. Now that we have Sage on the way, i feel the option for healers is simply being added to.

Now we only need a physical ranged DPS that doesn't jump around like a fool.


Mayhap a Hunter?

[Lubu_Mykono]

Melee and Tank = Masculine
Ranged/Mage/Healer = Feminine.

It's pretty simple.

[Shurrikhan]

Mayhap a Hunter?

I could dig it. While some will dismiss it just because it shares a name with a WoW class (nevermind that it's been in prior RPGs, too), I like the thematic space it could occupy, especially if we don't end up with a gambler or the like. It benefits from both the Marksman and Rogue-ish Bounty Hunter vibes in a way that I think would work well together, especially for those who want something serious-looking without being necessarily excessively edgy.

[PlushyprincessMusa]

Melee and Tank = Masculine
Ranged/Mage/Healer = Feminine.

It's pretty simple.

U know y that is false

Ninja/samurai are both femine
And mch kinda isnt.

Also monk is subjectivly both

[TheMightyMollusk]

Melee and Tank = Masculine
Ranged/Mage/Healer = Feminine.

It's pretty simple.

Looking at the key art for each job, monk is a female, and machinist, black mage, and summoner are male.

[MellowMink]

I don't see the point in gendering things like class animations, graphics, or outfits. Robes have been a gender neutral thing for a large part of human history. Most things that people would call a dress are just robes. Also who cares? this seems silly

This. I'm seeing some problematic rhetoric in parts of this thread due to gender stereotypes being perpetuated.

[Yandere-chan]

Well, remember, masculinity and femininity are in part culturally defined, so it would be a bit imperialistic to only go by one cultural standard. Furthermore, I think everything being gender neutral would be aesthetically very boring and end up leaving us with many outfits that are sort of appealing to everyone but not especially appealing to most people. Not every design should aim to please everyone as aesthetic preference is by nature subjective and niche in its appeal to us as individuals. I for one tend to love designs that are very feminine to my aesthetic lens.