ph/ jak & jil
I guess I should outline some basics first; I don't know if I'm a feminist. In many ways I feel the term is almost outdated, perhaps we need something new; a fresh slate to continue the fight for all those inequalities that still hold some women back today. We've come so far, but by no means are we there yet. On the one hand, I firmly believe that men and women are equals and no sex should be treated better than the other. But then again, women aren't men and vise versa. We are inevitably going to have individual strengths and weaknesses, we are going to need different things. Men don't need tampons and a prostate exam would be lost on women. I don't mind if a man opens a door for me, not because I can't open the door myself, but because it's nice. I open the door for my elders, it doesn't mean they are necessarily any less capable, it's just nice.
I digress, feminism and all it's sub-categories is a broad subject that I won't delve too deeply into. I want to focus on something I saw in an article the other day, where essentially I was told to dress like a boy-girl. Androgyny and femininity combined because suits aren't just for men and how many guys in heels have we seen lately? Quite a few. Lines are being blurred. I certainly think a matching jacket and trousers is an easy thing to throw on in the morning, and not necessarily because I want to discard my womanhood or prove men that they aren't the only people who can pull it off. Can you judge a man who chooses to wear platforms outside his home? No, heels are damn sexy, and men want to be damn sexy too.
While the article itself mentioned nothing of girl-power per se, it immediately made me think how lovely. For once, we are encouraged to dress as neither and both. While it is inevitable that in society men and women are going to have the occasional different roles, breaking past the gender stereotypical fashions is interesting. Fashion is often criticized as objectifying women, but it seems to me that it is at the forefront of a movement that is beginning to blur the lines between gender stereotypes (at least in terms of perception and how we dress) more and more every day. Some days I just want to wear a dress, but it doesn't make me any more of a girl than I was yesterday when I wore trousers. Some days I want to wear a suit with a statement necklace and lipstick, if that doesn't shout boy-girl then slap me and call me Bob. Embrace being a woman or man in any which way you please.
If you just write something 'wow those nike's are so cool' I'll know you didn't read the above, but I don't mind because nike's are so cool.
bloglovin' | twitter | facebook
If you just write something 'wow those nike's are so cool' I'll know you didn't read the above, but I don't mind because nike's are so cool.
bloglovin' | twitter | facebook
Nike totally rocks !!!!!!:))
ReplyDeleteKisses
http://franchemeetsfashion.blogspot.cz
Really love reading something like this on here....definitely write more detailed opinionated stuff like this! X
ReplyDeleteLove reading something like this on here....makes a lovely change, very interesting! I don't know where I stand on feminism either. Though, woman can actually get prostate cancer, you'd never think it would you? Xx
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading this, snappy and to the point, humourous. A* ;)
ReplyDeleteWow those nike's are so cool
ReplyDeleteI truly have the same opinion as you. Fashion is "blurring" the lines between man and woman. Even in man fashion week this year a designer put the models in woman clothings. Though I wouldn't wear wheels, I think that perhaps in some years it will be reasonable, normal for man to do it as much as woman. For woman I think it is already very "normal" to wear any, and all types of menswear pieces.
you're so right, trousers make us maybe look more like men but that doesn't mean we are! I mean, I love to dress like I'm a girl which means dresses and stuff but on the other hand I love jeans and pants too. What's it about? Everybody should be able to wear those clothes which he/she likes. I'm excited to see where this goes!
ReplyDeleteFashion is meant for both men and women…and whoever adores it simply look great as the world has itself become a very small place to live in. All visitors to this page will be staring at the shoes only…I would agree…the color combination simply speaks out the style.
ReplyDeleteCool wedges - like them :)
ReplyDeletexx the cookies <3
samecookiesdifferent.blogspot.com
Fashion really is helping to blur the gender line. I love dressing a little bit androgynous from time to time. The great thing about fashion is that it can be a way to play with gender and the way you present yourself. If we look at someone like Man Repeller who has gained notoriety for dressing for no one but herself (and preaching that message to her millions of readers), I think fashion is definitely helping the cause of feminism!
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said. Men used to wear skirts and dresses a long time ago, think about the Romans! I don't know how this has changed to be only a women's thing and the same happens to trousers, thank you Coco Chanel for changing that! :)
ReplyDeleteFashionably Sparkly
Beautiful pics!!!i'm following you!!!if you like mine, do the same!!
ReplyDeleteWWW.ZAGUFASHION.COM
ZAGU FACEBOOK PAGE
bloglovin follower
haha literally laughed out loud reading the last bit and then straight away reading the first comment! I'm not really sure where i stand on femenism either but i do know that women look good in suits
ReplyDeletehighsocietyfashion.blogspot.co.uk
haha literally laughed out loud reading the last bit and then straight away reading the first comment! I'm not really sure where i stand on femenism either but i do know that women look good in suits
ReplyDeletehighsocietyfashion.blogspot.co.uk
This photo belongs to a blog called collagevintage.com haha
ReplyDeleteI found it here! : http://jakandjil.com/2013/02/08/6114/ x
DeleteYes, i know you found it at Jak and Jil, but those shoes are from a girl whose blog is collagevintage.com and the other pair are her boyfriend's! hahaha sorry if i didn't make it clear x
DeleteI have the same views as you about feminism but I find it really hard to articulate it, so to read this was very refreshing. when people disregard that men and women are different, SO different, we are OPPOSITE genders in fact, it irritates me. we need to find the balance between equal rights and appreciation of differences, and I think its fantastic that, like you said, fashion is playing such a massive part in this acceptance of all genders, all types, absolutely everybody. very pleased to have found your blog :) x
ReplyDeleteHaha Nikes totally rock... But seriously though, this is a great post. In general I think that both men and women should ignore gender stereotypes and wear whatever makes them happy, purely because the whole point of fashion is to have fun!
ReplyDeleteX
Polway.blogspot.co.uk
Looks great,honey!Love!;-)
ReplyDeletexx
B.
http://www.beeswonderland.com
The problem is not that I don't wanna read what you wrote: I really tried but I have to admit my english isn't good enought. I'm gonna improve it and try again.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but those nikes are soooo cool!
letyourselfbeinspiredby.blogspot.it
Don't worry lovely! I don't expect everyone to read/ be able to read it of course; I'm glad you wanted to though! :) xx
Deletedeep.
ReplyDeleteno, joking. genuinely I read everything and completely agree.
cute sneakers!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.martasfashiondiary.com/
This was such a refreshing read, and I completely agree with your views on feminism. In terms of blurring gender lines in fashion, I love that - I don't like wearing tight clothes that accentuate this and that, I'm far more comfortable in something loose and shapeless! And equally, I like how men's fashion is becoming more delicate and, well - feminine! Thank you for the thought-provoking (and humorous) post.
ReplyDeletebbbreakingbones.blogspot.com x
wow those nikes are so cool!
ReplyDeleteha just kidding i actually did read what you wrote, and I completely agree. I don't know if I'm a feminist either, I go to a school where they tell us that we all should be feminists (it's an all girls school) but I just feel like being a feminist has such a bad connotation. I guess I just think that women and men should be equal, different but equal. x
sounds like an interesting article, and I agree that dressing 'sexy' or 'masculine' doesn't have to change or portray your view on gender roles.
ReplyDeleteI love nike shoes!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day :) !
http://www.TheStyleStash.com
Rafaella Online!
Hahaha yes I did like the nikes but I did read you...I think it's quite interesting what you mention.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of lines being blur, but at the same time I think it only works for women, if you think about it, there are few men that would go out there and wear something more "femenine" as oposed women don't mind wearing a suit or more masculine clothes...
You have a nice blog...I'm your newest follower.
Check out my blog if you like, follow me back :)
xoxo
www.thehotmesscorner.com
pretty cool sneakers :)
ReplyDeletehttp://chicchoolee.blogspot.co.at/
http://chicchoolee.blogspot.co.at/
Amazing sneakers! I have them in grey and pink :-)
ReplyDeletexoxo The Daily Fashion Drug
I love them! the colour is so unique! cool blog :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, fashion really dose help bluring the limits ! Though not so many boys go out with heels !
ReplyDeleteAnd your last sentence ? Love it ;)
Bisous,
Fragment de Style
totally agree with you here! love these type of posts Camilla, would love to see some more! :)
ReplyDeletexx
Let me be the first (and only one) to say that I don't like those nikes. I really don't get the hype around wedge sneakers.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm really glad fashion is blurring the lines and boundaries - I truly believe that anyone can wear whatever they want. I love tuxedos; is it my fault that they were created for men? If I look great in something, I'll wear it, and wearing a piece of clothing originally designed for men won't make me less of a woman.
Roses and Equilibrium
I'm not inclined towards wedge sneakers either, I much prefer the flat versions; the picture pretty accurately illustrates my point though, hence why it's there! :) x
DeleteHave you heard "Androgynous" by The Replacements? I was listening to it just a little while ago and thinking about how androgynous society's becoming today and that it's quite lovely really. I think it's great that fashion's blurring the boundaries a little, I love transforming from my usual girly self into a slightly more boyish persona. And it's so funny how differently people react to you, based on what you're wearing.
ReplyDeleteOh, and sweet sneakers, man!
http://theprettiestsideoflife.blogspot.co.uk
love the boots ! so pretty! xoxo
ReplyDeleteEmma <3
buy designer eyeglasses | My Face Hunter
Totally true! Why is a girl boyish when she wears sneakers and a jeans, and a boy girly if he wears a big accessory.
ReplyDeleteI think it don't matter what you wear. Fashion is about expressing yourself. And Yes! Those nike's are so cool! haha.
www.dailyunifrm.blogspot.com
Wow, those nike's are so cool!!!
ReplyDeleteJust kidding, you really made me laugh with that!
I loved post, I totally agree with you :)
Golly, you write so beautifully camilla, more posts like this please!
ReplyDeleteShope xx
nike's are so cooool ;D
ReplyDeleteBUT ALSO, I'm glad more bloggers are tapping into feminism in fashion. We definitely need a dialogue on the disparity between how women are treated when they dress like men or male-assigned fashion and how men are treated when they dress like women or in female-assigned fashion. I think the disparity is rooted in how our societies think about the female gender role. Men are viewed as strong, providers etc. so when a woman dresses like a man she's viewed as "strong" or "powerful" but the reverse is quite sad. When I think about the Western public's perception of the female gender role, lots of words pop into my head, some good, like compassionate and empathetic, and some that aren't so great like weak and superficial. It seems like when men want to dress like women, the public assigns those traits to them.
Plus, western societies have three roles for women and when these roles intersect or aren't fulfilled people are just like WTF IZ GOING ON?? They are the housewife/mother, sweetheart or homewrecker. There's TONS of music positioning these female archetypes against each other (coughTAYLORSWIFTcough) and all of them are limiting, because they are limiting, also degrading. But, on top of that, it leads to a lot of "girl hate" which is rooted in valuing looks and appearance above all else. When we see girls prettier or more wanted than us, we lose our shit. I could go on and on about this stuff but it's all really complex and hard to talk about without going on extended tangents. :P
nike's are so cooool ;D
ReplyDeleteBUT ALSO, I'm glad more bloggers are tapping into feminism in fashion. We definitely need a dialogue on the disparity between how women are treated when they dress like men or male-assigned fashion and how men are treated when they dress like women or in female-assigned fashion. I think the disparity is rooted in how our societies think about the female gender role. Men are viewed as strong, providers etc. so when a woman dresses like a man she's viewed as "strong" or "powerful" but the reverse is quite sad. When I think about the Western public's perception of the female gender role, lots of words pop into my head, some good, like compassionate and empathetic, and some that aren't so great like weak and superficial. It seems like when men want to dress like women, the public assigns those traits to them.
Plus, western societies have three roles for women and when these roles intersect or aren't fulfilled people are just like WTF IZ GOING ON?? They are the housewife/mother, sweetheart or homewrecker. There's TONS of music positioning these female archetypes against each other (coughTAYLORSWIFTcough) and all of them are limiting, because they are limiting, also degrading. But, on top of that, it leads to a lot of "girl hate" which is rooted in valuing looks and appearance above all else. When we see girls prettier or more wanted than us, we lose our shit. I could go on and on about this stuff but it's all really complex and hard to talk about without going on extended tangents. :P
Shit. I just wrote this whole long thing with some great points and then Google was like, "HEY LOG IN SO WE CAN DELETE YOUR MESSAGE" Jerks.
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna summarize it cuz now I'm feeling lazy. I was trying to make the point that it seems like it's more socially acceptable for women to dress like men than it is for men to dress like women...and that has a lot to do with how Western (and also Eastern, but that's so much more complex) societies perceive the female gender role. It has some great qualities attached to it like compassion and empathy but it also has some awful and limiting characteristics attached to it like weakness, cattiness, and superficiality. When men dress like women, it's almost like society assigns those qualities typically seen in the female gender role to them, and thus regard them as inferior. Whereas when women dress like men, they're viewed as powerful, assertive, and aggressive...all "good" traits that have been assigned to the male gender role. I think that the US has historically positioned women as naturally inferior to men. I've noticed three female archetypes that our society loooves to propagate: the homewrecker/slut, the sweetheart, and the mother.
For whatever reason, it blows people's minds that women can fill none or multiple of these roles. And pop culture is SO awful at reinforcing these stereotypes and even positioning these female archetypes against each other (coughTAYLORSWIFTcough) I could go on and on about the complexities of gender roles and perception of gender in modern society but I definitely think we have a looong way to go before all the eating disorders, body image issues, low self esteem, gender violence, and sexual assault is significantly diminished. I think women have made a lot of progress in how they perceive themselves and each other (girl power! :B) but I think men are struggling with maintaining a solid identity while excluding or limiting qualities like domination, control, and power. They'll get there eventually.