I believe that there is a wide-spread notion in society that no matter WHAT a woman does, she’s seeking approval and inviting judgment from others - likely because women are just seen, positionally in the hierarchy (by many, many people) as not as powerful as men, and as needing permission/validation. Our hair, dress codes, weight, verbal tics, even women authors aren’t considered as serious or legitimate.

Subconsciously, I’m certain, many people who saw your post assumed you were seeking their approval, rather than expressing genuine emotion to share with the world, and reacted like your mom when you were a teenager, dressed up for a night out with friends: “you weren’t REALLY planning on wearing that, were you?”