Letters to the Editor
-
I don't get it - Is this supposed to be somthing new?
In the 80s, all my friends dressed in preppy, JCrew clothes that were basically the same thing all the guys were wearing. In fact, we frequently swapped clothes with our brothers and guy friends. Make-up? I have tons of photos of my friends with little or no make-up and undone hairm (or, rather, hair free of products but lovely and healthy-looking). I don't think it was some big statement or anything.
Why can't this just be a trend? A reaction to the overdone fashions of late?
-
firefly82--
I've never bought the name-brand Converse--can't see spending $60 for a pair of canvas sneakers. I get Target's Converse knockoffs--I go through a pair about every six months, but at 5-10 bucks a pop, I'm OK with that.
You say you work with dancers; I'm assuming that means, um, regular dancers and not "exotic" ones. You know any company who makes dark brown or red low-heeled character shoes in wide widths? I have to dress up for/walk to work/be on my feet a lot, and these are the only women's "dress" shoes I've found that don't hurt. (I can't wear ballet flats or anything without a strap to hold it on because my feet are shaped like a duck's--really narrow heels and really wide toe boxes.)Unfortunately, I've only been able to find character shoes in black and what can best be described as band-aid color.
(I do have the option of "dressing down" for work, "The Man" doesn't dictate my clothing...but I work for commission selling art. I gotta wear what sells the pictures to pay the rent!)
-
So, the REVOLUTION Starts Here?
I love skirts, love them, love, love, love them! I don't understand why everyone doesn't wear them, including guys. Seriously, guys, they are much more comfortable.
-- NicoleShield
Count me in, Nicole. I am totally in agreement that guys should be able to wear skirts. Even the light, diaphanous ones.
What time does the revolution start?
-
Fashion has left most women in the dust
Plenty of women are jumping off the fashion merry-go-round. It is simply too exhausting and expensive to keep up with the latest trends. They are mostly recycled from the late 70s/early 80s, which IMHO was the nadir of clothing design. I consider that I get a free pass not to wear this junk because I wore a lot of it the first time around, when it at least was original (although still ugly). These clothes look horrible on anyone who doesn't have the body of a teenaged boy. They also look silly on any woman over the age of 30. No thanks! I'm waiting until they revive a more aesthetically interesting era, such as the 1920s, before I even consider getting back on.
Besides, a lot of women dress to please ourselves, not to impress men. I wear clothing and accessories that I like the looks of, that fit well, and that flatter my body type. Depending on the situation, this can include anything from cocktail dresses to ratty jeans and sneakers. And my husband notices when I wear something that he thinks looks good; he couldn't care less whether it's fashionable.
Also, working in a casual techie environment (where jeans, sneakers, and computer t-shirts are the preferred male dress) gives me the freedom to wear whatever I feel like, as long as it's appropriate for a workplace setting. Bonus: no requirement to wear pantyhose and heels!
I think my feminist cred is in pretty good shape after getting a degree in a male-dominated field and making my career in a male-dominated industry -- putting up with a great deal of sexist nonsense along the way. Femininity is a role like any other.
-
Don't blame the "hipsters" for the poor writer's mistake
I can't even tell you how much I hate women hating on other women for liking women things. I don't want a $500 bag either, but I'm not about to turn into a lady misogynist. Those women are just as bad as the ones marrying for money. But I don't think that was the story here.
And while I hesitate to accuse the women portrayed in the article of being hipsters (especially because I'm a scotch drinker with a boy's haircut), I totally agree with Tracy that if you're spending $200 on jeans and you're wearing designer sneakers, you are in fact image-concious. The only difference between you and more mainstream, pump-wearing ladies is that they let their freak flag fly and admit it...BUT, let us remember, in the story, they do admit it. They say they wear fancy clothes, one woman says she loves shopping, and the Jezebel blogger that was interviewed posted on that blog that she hated how unflattering her picture was. Perhaps it's not these women who are in denial.
The writer went in with an idea, and found that she couldn't make the facts fit her original thesis statement. The result was no real hook, a confusing tone, a short piece that somehow managed to be all over the place. I feel bad for her. She thought this was a great story IDEA, and she probably knew it wasn't panning out really early. It must have been hard to turn that in...at least I hope it was.
-
The Hater--
--on the Onion AV Club also commented about this article, although in a much funnier and snarkier way.
- http://www.avclub.com/content/hater/5_trends_i_just_made_up_looking
-
@ Leeandra Nolting
A couple people I know, including dancers with bad knees, swear by Dansko. They're known for their clogs, but they also make Mary Janes, both flats and low-heeled in a variety of styles, and they have some really nice brown and burgundy colors. The soles are way too hard for me, but some people find them very comfortable. Sketchers also occasionally has some comfy but nicer styles.
Yes, regular dancers, not exotic. ;)
-
ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so very tired of explaining this to men, but to explain it to women, to feminists even - oh it's exhausting.
I'm a feminine chick. I wear skirts almost exclusively, regarding shoes: the higher the heal - the better I feel. I like to have my face made up (not like a call-girl, but nice, soft makeup), I like girly stuff - candles, smelly soaps, teeny tiny nick-naks. None of it is to impress men, I'm sexy because well, baby I'm just sexy. I HATE it when men assume I'm soft, beautiful, sexy for them. I'm not - it's for me - I feel good, I feel confident & feel comfortable smiling at strangers (women too) & making friendly banter with my fellow errand runners. Looking good for me leads to feeling good and allows me to function better in my career, as a mother and as a citizen in general. Women don't necessarily try to look nice to please or "fetch" men. If I'm wearing a skirt or heals it's not an invitation to gawk at me or feel me up. If I look good to you, it's because I care about myself. (phew, I feel better now that I've ranted) : )