I can only say that I for one have never asked if I looked fat in something, if I have to ask I already know the answer so why ask it. I guess that is why us men are so confused by this question. You already know the answer to the question and nothing we say will change your mind so why put us in that position.
The reason you would never ask a guy is because he would say, "Yeah but it's not the pants and that shirt really makes you look like a dweeb." You bust his chops back, nobodies feelings get hurt and you order another beer. Man rules.
That is correct and if we ever do piss another man off it is forgotten the next day.
Women on the other hand hold onto it like a prized piece of jewlery and let it fester and then after a couple of days when you have forgotten all about it they are like aren't you going to say your sorry. We give then that " for what" comment and now its a full blown fight. We ought to just say sorry right off the bat because we will in the end anyway.