When I examined myself in the mirror this morning, the song "Mannish Girl" popped into my head. Actually, I look more "boyish" than "mannish", and even that could be considered a stretch. Pink lipstick and the enamel rose belt buckle function as indicators of femininity. My facial composition and hips conform to the set of shapes that society categorizes as "female".
Fashion has a messy, inextricable relationship with gender expression. Consider how unusual it is to see an American man wearing a skirt. I'm not talkin' Utilikilts--no, something frilly and flowy. Any guy wearing that would be shunned or ridiculed. In fact, transgender people who don't resemble the stereotypical mold associated with "man" or "woman" are routinely harassed. The unfunny fashion police prevent safety in public restrooms.
Normally the way I dress is unambiguously ladylike, because that's the aesthetic I gravitate toward. Going a little more butch felt strange, although not unpleasant, and the new sensation caused me to reflect on social justice in the paragraphs above.
Now look at the cool thing the wind did to my hair!
MWAH! Closing note: the title of this post comes from Lana Del Rey's "Blue Jeans".
My personal favorite kind of androgyny isn't right in the middle: it combines signifiers of both extremes. You're rocking it!
ReplyDeleteAlso, my computer is blocking the "something frilly and flowy" link as containing a virus.
Uh-oh, that's weird. It definitely doesn't contain a virus, but it's an affiliate link--maybe your computer/security software doesn't like that? Anyway, thank you!
DeletePS I really like your concept of androgyny!
DeleteI don't know, I've seen a few men wearing frilly skirts in my day. But New York is an unusual place. :P The trans public restroom harassment thing is no joke though. Serious gender identity issues aside, does it really matter that much where other people pee? I'm too busy worrying about my own pee.
ReplyDeleteSeriously! I do my best not to even notice other people in public restrooms.
DeleteI love the simplicity of this look!
ReplyDeleteRachel
Thank you, that's what I liked about it too!
DeleteI'm surprised we haven't transitioned all bathrooms to unisex at this point. It's so much more efficient!
ReplyDeleteI'm not exactly surprised, but it's certainly something architects should keep in mind!
DeleteLove the look! I've tried to experiment more with concepts of (fashion) androgyny in the past, but it never seems to quite work, LOL!
ReplyDeleteI think it's terrible that people abuse others for being...unexpected in a bathroom. The only people I don't want in my public restrooms, and that I would even consider hitting over the head, are people (regardless of gender) who started peeking over/under my stall door, or went for a grope, or started exposing themselves and doing unspeakable things to the washrom fittings (don't ask). You know, *actually bad/creepy stuff*. I would be surprised if I saw a 'man' in the ladies' room, but provided 'he' was just going about his private business privately, like everyone else, I wouldn't have a problem. It's the non-hand washers that need to be policed... *shudder*.
Exactly. Amen to that!
DeleteA simple white tee and blue jeans looks sexy on both men and women (points to 20 years worth of CK adverts for evidence), but I'm at a loss to describe what qualities would make one look seem more feminine or masculine. Is it the posture we hold our bodies? The way we drape our clothes? The haircut, makeup, or adornment we give ourselves?
ReplyDeleteThere must be more to feeling like and presenting yourself with mannish/ladylike qualities than the clothes we wear.
Hmmm..... boxyish vs. waist-defining? I agree, it's hard to pin down.
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