[2freedi]

Correct if I'm wrong, but this still doesn't allow us to define the dropdown content and selected content for each option separately? Maybe something like this:

    <select name="commenters">
        <option value="annevk">Anne van Kesteren</option>
        <option value="jakearchibald">
            <label>Jake Archibald</label>
            <selectedcontent>
                <div>
                    <img src="profile.avif" alt="Jake's photo">
                    <div>Jake Archibald<br><small>@jakearchibald</small></div>
                </div>
            </selectedcontent>
        </option>
        <option value="sorvell">Steve Orvell</option>
    </select>

The value attribute would be required when using these new sub elements. This structure feels familiar and progressive to me.

Naively, I would imagine that the following JavaScript would cause 1 DOM update, 1 redraw of the option if the dropdown is open, and 1 redraw of the selected option:

    document.querySelector('option:selected selectedcontent').innerHTML = 'Jake Archibald';

Obviously, things are different when using multiple. Maybe a `select > selectedcontent` element containing a copy of each `option > selectedcontent` element that is updated on change events.

[jaffathecake]

> Correct if I'm wrong, but this still doesn't allow us to define the dropdown content and selected content for each option separately?

There are a few different cases worth considering:

# I want to display the option content in the <selectedoption> as is

Great! Use <selectedoption>

# I want to display the option content in the <selectedoption> a little differently (eg, hide the associated <img> or a different font-weight)

In this case, you're probably best off using a little CSS to style the content of <selectedoption> different, eg hide particular elements.

# I want to display something completely different in the <selectedoption>

<selectedoption> is optional, so one thing you can do here is just… not use it, and instead change the content of your <button> in response to state changes. This requires JavaScript.

If you really want to use <selectedoption> for this, then you could do this:

    <option>
      <div class="option-content">…</div>
      <div class="selectedoption-content">…</div>
    </option>

Along with the CSS:

    option .selectedoption-content { display: none }
    selectedoption .option-content { display: none }