Little historical footnote to this. Louisa May Alcott did some promotional work after the book came out, traveling, speaking, stuff like that. Coming from a family mired in genteel poverty, she only had one dress appropriate to such occasions. Women, being the kindler, gentler sex, were soon criticizing her for her lack of wardrobe, causing her some distress. Men, the brutes, couldn't have cared less about what she wore.