//------------------------------// // How and Why to Dress for Romantic Success // Story: Thirty Minute Express Train to Story Town // by Predhack //------------------------------// “Alright, tonight I want to start with something that might seem simple but can rather quickly get out of hoof if you don’t pay attention. What to wear for a romantic encounter. To start can any of you tell me reasons why you dress up?” Fluttershy glanced around the room at her students. Twilight looked around furtively and started to raise a tentative hoof. Fluttershy smiled and nodded at her. “I don’t see what’s so important about getting’ all gussied up t’all,” Applejack broke in, unaware or unheeding of the fact Twilight was being called on, “It’s not like we wear clothes anyway, what’s the matter with showin’ up in something we feel comfortable in, say our skin?” Applejack gestured to herself. Fluttershy sighed and turned from her recalcitrant student to her eager one, “Twilight do you have an idea why you would dress up?” “Um, because since we don’t wear clothes normally, the appearance of clothes adds mystery to an appearance that can draw the attention of those around you in flattering manner,” Twilight suggested hesitantly. Nodding Fluttershy turned and wrote, ‘sex appeal,’ ignoring how the student she’d called on ignited in a luminous blush as her explanation was summed up so succinctly. “That’s a good answer Twilight. For some ponies the presence of clothing can have an attractive effect. But unfortunately that can be fairly situational, as some ponies find that clothing detracts from the natural features of a pony. As with all cases there can be a whole spectrum of what a pony likes or doesn’t like. One pony may like large elegant dresses, while another may find a simple saddle to be more becoming and flattering for ponies. I know at least one pony who thought that their marefriend wearing an oversized stallion’s shirt was incredibly attractive in a partner for various reasons.” Fluttershy explained. Rainbow Dash coughed uncomfortably and Fluttershy ignored her as she finished, “As with most things in a relationship communicating with your partner to find out what they find attractive or not can be very important. But at the same time while wearing something to attract a partner is a reason to wear things for an encounter, it may not be what we’re looking for. Let’s go back to what Applejack called ‘getting gussied up.’ What are some meanings for it?” Applejack and Twilight raised their hooves immediately and Fluttershy nodded at the Earth Pony. “Just getting’ gussied up. Goin’ to a spa, putting on a nice dress. Makin’ yourself look ‘nice’ for the other pony.” Fluttershy nodded. “So you put on a nice dress for all your dates?” she questioned. “Hay no,” Applejack objected, “I usually just dust off my hate make sure my hooves are clean and whatnot.” “Is that “gussyin’ up?” Fluttershy asked, “I mean you’re not going au natural. You’re making sure you’re extra clean and presentable.” “I guess it kinda is,” Applejack admitted, “But it’s two different things!” “Of course it is,” Fluttershy accepted, “But why not just show up straight from work?” “Because Rarity’d-“ Fluttershy held up a hoof. “Supposing that your partner didn’t have ‘a heart with a Mr. Clean label on it,’” Fluttershy added, picking one of the groups favorite references to their mutual friend’s tidy habits, “Would you go then?” “Well, no,” Applejack said slowly, considering her words. “Why not? If she doesn’t think less of you for being dirty then why clean up? Twilight?” Fluttershy nodded to wear the purple unicorn had been practically vibrating in her seat hoping for a chance to speak. “Because it shows you care about how you look to them and thus you care how they think of you,” Twilight spat. “Right, thank you Twilight,” Fluttershy nodded again as Twilight quietly exulted in her victory, “One of the best reasons to make yourself presentable for an encounter with your partner is because you want them to see and know you care about your appearance with them and thus you care about their feelings toward you.” “I still don’t see what that has to do with the dresses,” Applejack huffed. “Putting aside the social dictates of the situation, such as going to a fancy restaurant,” Fluttershy turned back to AJ explaining, “Those spectrums I love bringing up comes into play again. For a pony who is used to being clean and tidy, for her showing up clean and tidy is likely a given, and not considered special in anyway. For those ponies sometimes a teensy weensy bit more effort can be called for, and it’s up to the two of you to find out where you both fall comfortably in each other’s range. If I might make a suggest, try wearing one of your bolo ties next time you go out and tell me what kind of response you get.”