noun
another's eyes; how others see one; appearance to others
Refers to how one is viewed by other people, often used in the set phrase よそ目に to mean 'in the eyes of others' or 'to the casual observer'. The phrase よそ目には can introduce a contrast between outward appearance and reality.
よそ目には幸せそうに見えるが、実は悩みが多い。
To the casual observer they seem happy, but in reality they have many worries.
彼はよそ目を気にしすぎる。
He cares too much about what others think.
世間体 refers more to one's public reputation or appearances in society, while よそ目 focuses on the gaze or perception of others in a more immediate sense.
人目 also means 'public gaze' or 'attention of others', but is more commonly used in phrases like 人目を気にする (to be conscious of being watched). よそ目 often appears in the adverbial form よそ目に.
Compound of よそ (elsewhere, another place) and 目 (eye). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination naturally yields the meaning 'another's eyes' or 'how one appears to others'.