Comments on: Dressing for whose shape, exactly? http://www.about-face.org/dressing-for-whose-shape-exactly/ Wed, 05 Jun 2013 08:05:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Sara http://www.about-face.org/dressing-for-whose-shape-exactly/#comment-3965 Sara Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:48:42 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=9059#comment-3965 Cassandra, you're right on! I love to read About-Face articles (as well as other similarly critical blogs/articles) because they definitely help me to enjoy my life. Yes, I feel angry and indignant in the moment, but I feel angry and indignant about these issues whenever I see them on my own, anyway...so when I see that there are others out there that feel the same way, it makes the world feel like a much less crazy and much less scary place. It makes me feel less alone in my anger and indignation. There are times when it seems like I must just be nuts, but your words and the words of your peers make me realize once again that it's not us that are crazy, it's the "toxic" cultural attitudes towards and representations of women that are truly crazy! Cassandra, you’re right on! I love to read About-Face articles (as well as other similarly critical blogs/articles) because they definitely help me to enjoy my life. Yes, I feel angry and indignant in the moment, but I feel angry and indignant about these issues whenever I see them on my own, anyway…so when I see that there are others out there that feel the same way, it makes the world feel like a much less crazy and much less scary place. It makes me feel less alone in my anger and indignation. There are times when it seems like I must just be nuts, but your words and the words of your peers make me realize once again that it’s not us that are crazy, it’s the “toxic” cultural attitudes towards and representations of women that are truly crazy!

]]> By: Cassandra http://www.about-face.org/dressing-for-whose-shape-exactly/#comment-3811 Cassandra Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:48:41 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=9059#comment-3811 I think it's easy to say "Oh, just ignore it. Don't read it." I think Jean Kilbourne sums it up nicely: "Just as it is difficult to raise kids safely in a physically toxic environment, where they're breathing polluted air or drinking toxic water, it's also difficult or even impossible to raise children in a culturally toxic environment, where they're surrounded by unhealthy images about sex and relationships, and where their health is constantly sacrificed for the sake of profit." It's not just difficult to raise children in our environment; it's difficult to navigate as an adult. The reason I continue to read these articles, the reason I continue to "complain" (although I would argue I'm critiquing) , is because I want to contribute something non-toxic to our cultural environment. I want to reach other women and men who are fighting their way through the incredible pressure our culture places on "normalcy" and "perfection." "Complaining about drivel" helps me enjoy my life. And hopefully it helps a few other people enjoy their lives too. I think it’s easy to say “Oh, just ignore it. Don’t read it.”

I think Jean Kilbourne sums it up nicely: “Just as it is difficult to raise kids safely in a physically toxic environment, where they’re breathing polluted air or drinking toxic water, it’s also difficult or even impossible to raise children in a culturally toxic environment, where they’re surrounded by unhealthy images about sex and relationships, and where their health is constantly sacrificed for the sake of profit.”

It’s not just difficult to raise children in our environment; it’s difficult to navigate as an adult.

The reason I continue to read these articles, the reason I continue to “complain” (although I would argue I’m critiquing) , is because I want to contribute something non-toxic to our cultural environment. I want to reach other women and men who are fighting their way through the incredible pressure our culture places on “normalcy” and “perfection.”

“Complaining about drivel” helps me enjoy my life. And hopefully it helps a few other people enjoy their lives too.

]]> By: c http://www.about-face.org/dressing-for-whose-shape-exactly/#comment-3676 c Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:07:33 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=9059#comment-3676 the unspoken assumption of these articles is that you actually give a shit what you look like, if you don't, don't read them, and just go out and enjoy your life rather than complaining about drivel. the unspoken assumption of these articles is that you actually give a shit what you look like, if you don’t, don’t read them, and just go out and enjoy your life rather than complaining about drivel.

]]> By: Amy http://www.about-face.org/dressing-for-whose-shape-exactly/#comment-3418 Amy Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:51:08 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=9059#comment-3418 As my husband says..."I am in shape. Round is a shape." Damn straight it is. Wear whatever you feel like. As my husband says…”I am in shape. Round is a shape.” Damn straight it is. Wear whatever you feel like.

]]> By: Cassandra http://www.about-face.org/dressing-for-whose-shape-exactly/#comment-3384 Cassandra Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:49:46 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=9059#comment-3384 What? Are you suggesting women should dress practically and comfortably without killing their bank accounts? That's just crazy talk! What? Are you suggesting women should dress practically and comfortably without killing their bank accounts? That’s just crazy talk!

]]> By: Amy http://www.about-face.org/dressing-for-whose-shape-exactly/#comment-3368 Amy Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:08:46 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=9059#comment-3368 I have a big problem with the "real women have X" type of thinking (I wrote a whole research paper on it as my final project in college). Real women have many, many things, and a lot of those things are indefinable. It's insulting that I'm not considered "real" just because I don't fit into ever-changing, arbitrary, and narrow definitions. I exist, therefore I'm "real." Don't tell me I'm not just because I don't have big boobs. I have a big problem with the “real women have X” type of thinking (I wrote a whole research paper on it as my final project in college). Real women have many, many things, and a lot of those things are indefinable. It’s insulting that I’m not considered “real” just because I don’t fit into ever-changing, arbitrary, and narrow definitions. I exist, therefore I’m “real.” Don’t tell me I’m not just because I don’t have big boobs.

]]> By: Sherc http://www.about-face.org/dressing-for-whose-shape-exactly/#comment-3323 Sherc Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:27:31 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=9059#comment-3323 Thank you so much for this - very well done and exact! I'd like to point out that it's always only women who are expected to think that way: planning ways of carefully cultivating flawless looks, with the loss of time, money, and personal fulfillment. If women are told they should "dress for their shape" why don't men? Instead, guys just dress for their own comfort, allowed to wear swim trunks that go down to their knees, because those are easiest to run around and lounge in, and even have pockets for carrying spare change and sunglasses. If a woman wears those with a bikini top, she's apt to feel like inadequate, based on nothing more than our idiotic women-objectifying culture. Interestingly, some women DO dress with aspects of mens clothes, and guys undoubtedly find that hotter because she's comfortable and confident enough to do so. Thank you so much for this – very well done and exact!
I’d like to point out that it’s always only women who are expected to think that way: planning ways of carefully cultivating flawless looks, with the loss of time, money, and personal fulfillment. If women are told they should “dress for their shape” why don’t men?
Instead, guys just dress for their own comfort, allowed to wear swim trunks that go down to their knees, because those are easiest to run around and lounge in, and even have pockets for carrying spare change and sunglasses. If a woman wears those with a bikini top, she’s apt to feel like inadequate, based on nothing more than our idiotic women-objectifying culture.
Interestingly, some women DO dress with aspects of mens clothes, and guys undoubtedly find that hotter because she’s comfortable and confident enough to do so.

]]> By: Cassandra http://www.about-face.org/dressing-for-whose-shape-exactly/#comment-3322 Cassandra Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:24:02 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=9059#comment-3322 I'm not really an expert (in any way) on giving fashion advice, but from personal experience, I'd say just have fun choosing clothing. Don't worry actively about your body type or what's on trend while you're shopping, and the experience will be a lot more enjoyable. Try things on and make fun of ridiculous and impractical thing with your friends. Eventually you'll stumble upon something you feel comfortable in. But I think feeling comfortable and fashionable in clothing comes from feeling confident and good about yourself, rather than following arbitrary standards. I’m not really an expert (in any way) on giving fashion advice, but from personal experience, I’d say just have fun choosing clothing. Don’t worry actively about your body type or what’s on trend while you’re shopping, and the experience will be a lot more enjoyable. Try things on and make fun of ridiculous and impractical thing with your friends. Eventually you’ll stumble upon something you feel comfortable in. But I think feeling comfortable and fashionable in clothing comes from feeling confident and good about yourself, rather than following arbitrary standards.

]]> By: belle http://www.about-face.org/dressing-for-whose-shape-exactly/#comment-3319 belle Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:35:46 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=9059#comment-3319 nice reading your blog.. can you please help me to figure out what comfortable wear I will choose for my medium built body. I like to be on fashion but its really hard for me to look for a dress that really fits me. need your advise . thanks nice reading your blog.. can you please help me to figure out what comfortable wear I will choose for my medium built body. I like to be on fashion but its really hard for me to look for a dress that really fits me. need your advise . thanks

]]> By: Julia http://www.about-face.org/dressing-for-whose-shape-exactly/#comment-3302 Julia Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:06:02 +0000 http://www.about-face.org/?p=9059#comment-3302 I love this article! The inanimate object comparison, while it may be a loosely helpful guide ends up being demeaning. And you are completely right about the celebrity comparisons. People should stop worrying about comparisons and strive for what is healthy for them. I love this article! The inanimate object comparison, while it may be a loosely helpful guide ends up being demeaning. And you are completely right about the celebrity comparisons. People should stop worrying about comparisons and strive for what is healthy for them.

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