Can fashion co-exist with feminism?
June 7th 2010 03:59
When you hear the word ‘feminist’, what’s the first image that comes to mind? Is it an image of a hairy-legged, tough-looking woman with facial piercings and multiple tattoos? Or, is it one of a dowdy academic with librarian hair, a collared shirt and sensible shoes? Maybe the image you’re seeing is of a long-haired hippie chick with no bra, or perhaps a ball-breaking businesswoman with spiked heels and a thousand-dollar handbag... the list of possible images goes on and on, but which image is the right one? Is it possible that feminists could look like any one of these women, and countless more? And is there even the slightest possibility that a feminist could be interested in something so apparently superficial as fashion?
Anyone who has studied feminism, or considers themselves to be a feminist, already knows the answers to these questions: that there are as many different images of feminism as there are women on this planet. Australian feminist writer Kate Pritchard Hughes, who has had a great deal of experience in speaking with feminists from around the world, says that the appearances of these women were incredibly diverse. “I’ve known feminists who wear jeans and Blundstones [work boots], who wear dresses and their hair long and flowing, who ‘power’ dress, who wear clothing traditional to their culture, those who shave every possible hair and those who don’t, those who wear loud and confronting lipsticks, those who wear pastel lipstick and those who wear none. You can have big hair, medium hair, or no hair. Need I go on?”
The one thing that all of these women described by Pritchard Hughes had in common? The belief that female subordination is unfair, and that women should have the same rights and opportunities as their male counterparts. This is the very basis of feminism. While there exists a huge variety of feminist philosophy (including, but not limited to, radical feminism, Marxist feminism, ecofeminism, poststructuralist feminism, lesbian separatism, socialist feminism and many, many more), all would agree that the core aim of feminism is simply to improve the lives of women by giving them the same level of respect - and everything that comes with it - as the men in their society.
Why is it, then, that even in the 21st century feminism still has such a bad name? Why do these associations with feminists being ugly, mean spirited, and anti-male still persist? The vast majority of girls and women do support the aims and ideals of feminism, and yet back away from calling themselves a feminist, for fear of negative associations with the F-word. Many feminist writers believe that it has something to do with the media’s interpretations of feminism, which are specifically designed to make young women believe that if you are a feminist, you are also unattractive, judgemental, and a total bitch.
Why would the media be portraying feminists in this way? Because the media is mostly run by white, middle-class men. They don’t want women to have the same power as they do. As such, it is in their interests to turn as many girls away from embracing feminism as they possibly can, and they do this by perpetuating that age-old ‘hairy-legged lesbian’ stereotype. Writes Pritchard Hughes, “If I were to be generous, I would say that the popular representations of feminists are constructed by people who are miserably out-of-date. If I were to be realistic, I would say that they are out-of-date and interested in generating and disseminating an image designed to dissuade young women from identifying with feminism because it is seen as a political perspective which threatens men, and threatens the patriarchal structures they have built which feminism seeks to transform.”
Now what, I hear you ask, does this have to do with fashion? Simply the fact that you can be a feminist, and a fashionista, at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive; there is absolutely nothing wrong with loving clothes and wanting equal opportunities for yourself as well. If you think about it, feminism has actually facilitated fashion to a large extent: not only in the stylings (for example, women being able to wear pants instead of dresses – you can thank early feminists for that), but also in the purchasing power (as women, we’re now able to keep the money we earn, instead of giving it to our husbands or fathers – once again, an achievement of early feminism) which allows us to buy whatever clothes we like, within our own personal budgets.
It’s also common knowledge that women do not take an interest in fashion as a means of impressing men. While men’s interest in fashion does appear to be on the rise, it is still largely a female-oriented affair, and the majority of single, heterosexual men couldn’t care less what your handbag looks like, or whether your shoes are currently being worn by major celebrities or should have been ditched in 2007. If you want to prescribe a negative association with keeping up-to-date with fashion it could be said that women do it to compete with other women… but I would say that most of us are simply doing it for ourselves, because we enjoy it.
As for those who believe that the promotion of fashion is merely a means of distracting women from more serious issues? There is some merit to that argument, but it ultimately falls flat for one simple reason: that fashion is meant to be a creative outlet, an art form, and something that we do for fun. No-one can pursue “serious issues” 24/7; they’d burn out trying. While a person should never become so obsessed with clothing that it occupies their every waking thought, there is certainly nothing wrong with taking an interest in style as a form of personal enjoyment. For anyone who says that fashion is pointless and without meaning, perhaps they should ask themselves exactly how much point and meaning there is to watching football games on television! Like any other hobby, finding that perfect outfit is something fashion-loving people do for pleasure, and in my humble opinion, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Put simply, fashion not only co-exists with feminism, it can be a means of expressing it. Loving clothes does not mean that you prescribe to some outdated notion of femininity, nor does it mean that you’re a superficial idiot without anything more important to think about. Fashion may be transitory; but the opinion that you’re worth just as much as your male counterparts is not.... and that opinion is one of which you should never be ashamed.
In a word: yes.
Anyone who has studied feminism, or considers themselves to be a feminist, already knows the answers to these questions: that there are as many different images of feminism as there are women on this planet. Australian feminist writer Kate Pritchard Hughes, who has had a great deal of experience in speaking with feminists from around the world, says that the appearances of these women were incredibly diverse. “I’ve known feminists who wear jeans and Blundstones [work boots], who wear dresses and their hair long and flowing, who ‘power’ dress, who wear clothing traditional to their culture, those who shave every possible hair and those who don’t, those who wear loud and confronting lipsticks, those who wear pastel lipstick and those who wear none. You can have big hair, medium hair, or no hair. Need I go on?”
The one thing that all of these women described by Pritchard Hughes had in common? The belief that female subordination is unfair, and that women should have the same rights and opportunities as their male counterparts. This is the very basis of feminism. While there exists a huge variety of feminist philosophy (including, but not limited to, radical feminism, Marxist feminism, ecofeminism, poststructuralist feminism, lesbian separatism, socialist feminism and many, many more), all would agree that the core aim of feminism is simply to improve the lives of women by giving them the same level of respect - and everything that comes with it - as the men in their society.
Feminism: Both personal, and political.
Why is it, then, that even in the 21st century feminism still has such a bad name? Why do these associations with feminists being ugly, mean spirited, and anti-male still persist? The vast majority of girls and women do support the aims and ideals of feminism, and yet back away from calling themselves a feminist, for fear of negative associations with the F-word. Many feminist writers believe that it has something to do with the media’s interpretations of feminism, which are specifically designed to make young women believe that if you are a feminist, you are also unattractive, judgemental, and a total bitch.
Why would the media be portraying feminists in this way? Because the media is mostly run by white, middle-class men. They don’t want women to have the same power as they do. As such, it is in their interests to turn as many girls away from embracing feminism as they possibly can, and they do this by perpetuating that age-old ‘hairy-legged lesbian’ stereotype. Writes Pritchard Hughes, “If I were to be generous, I would say that the popular representations of feminists are constructed by people who are miserably out-of-date. If I were to be realistic, I would say that they are out-of-date and interested in generating and disseminating an image designed to dissuade young women from identifying with feminism because it is seen as a political perspective which threatens men, and threatens the patriarchal structures they have built which feminism seeks to transform.”
Now what, I hear you ask, does this have to do with fashion? Simply the fact that you can be a feminist, and a fashionista, at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive; there is absolutely nothing wrong with loving clothes and wanting equal opportunities for yourself as well. If you think about it, feminism has actually facilitated fashion to a large extent: not only in the stylings (for example, women being able to wear pants instead of dresses – you can thank early feminists for that), but also in the purchasing power (as women, we’re now able to keep the money we earn, instead of giving it to our husbands or fathers – once again, an achievement of early feminism) which allows us to buy whatever clothes we like, within our own personal budgets.
This is what a fashion-loving feminist looks like (yes, this is me).
It’s also common knowledge that women do not take an interest in fashion as a means of impressing men. While men’s interest in fashion does appear to be on the rise, it is still largely a female-oriented affair, and the majority of single, heterosexual men couldn’t care less what your handbag looks like, or whether your shoes are currently being worn by major celebrities or should have been ditched in 2007. If you want to prescribe a negative association with keeping up-to-date with fashion it could be said that women do it to compete with other women… but I would say that most of us are simply doing it for ourselves, because we enjoy it.
As for those who believe that the promotion of fashion is merely a means of distracting women from more serious issues? There is some merit to that argument, but it ultimately falls flat for one simple reason: that fashion is meant to be a creative outlet, an art form, and something that we do for fun. No-one can pursue “serious issues” 24/7; they’d burn out trying. While a person should never become so obsessed with clothing that it occupies their every waking thought, there is certainly nothing wrong with taking an interest in style as a form of personal enjoyment. For anyone who says that fashion is pointless and without meaning, perhaps they should ask themselves exactly how much point and meaning there is to watching football games on television! Like any other hobby, finding that perfect outfit is something fashion-loving people do for pleasure, and in my humble opinion, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Put simply, fashion not only co-exists with feminism, it can be a means of expressing it. Loving clothes does not mean that you prescribe to some outdated notion of femininity, nor does it mean that you’re a superficial idiot without anything more important to think about. Fashion may be transitory; but the opinion that you’re worth just as much as your male counterparts is not.... and that opinion is one of which you should never be ashamed.
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Comment by angelbird72
Cooking with Feeling
I'm trying to find something interesting and constructive and discussion-y to say but all I can think of is that I agree with every single thing you said just there. That is exactly how I feel about things! In fact I'm jealous of your eloquence.
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
Appreciate the feedback angelbird
Comment by Anonymous
What if the industries you are supporting are having negative environmental effects that lead to diminished health and quality of life for women in other parts of the city/country/world?
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
At least these issues are hitting the media, though, such as with the sweatshop conditions at the iphone factory, but like I said the biggest problems still need to be overcome. Any ideas, Anonymous?
Comment by Julie Vaux
Books Well Read
Strange Situations
The Purple Challenge
Some fashionistas just dont like to think!
I'm not sure full blown fashionistas can feminists but I do think feminists can be concerned about style and whether the thin inspiration look is a form of oppression.
Fashion is not just fun. Sure it's good to dress up but too many of us use dressing up not merely as an expression of personal style but as an elitist statement falsely equating trendiness with social status.
I had hoped some one might have commented on the Alex Perry interview on ch7 tonight?
Well fashion designers realise there is more than one kind of feminine beauty and that their job or vocation is to make clothes that make so many women as possible beautiful rather than simply designing clothes for a wealthy thinness obsessed elite then feminists would need to critique fashion?
I have no objections to wearable art but any designers set trends and these trends often result in ready to wear versions of catwalk trends that simply arent wearable by any one but skinny teenagers or people who think they should look like teenagers ?
Perhaps we need feminist designers who think about creating revolutions in ready to wear?
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
Regarding the Alex Perry interview, I couldn't say as I don't watch TV. As for feminist designers, I'm all for that as well, and I'm confident it will come in time.
Not all fashion is for "skinny teenagers or people who think they should look like teenagers", though. That's rather bleak and doesn't concern the whole industry; yes a large part of it, but not all. There's plenty of gorgeous designs for both full-figured and older women, and both are being embraced with greater frequency on international catwalks as well.
Real changes will come, but like with any revolution they will take time.
Comment by Julie Vaux
Books Well Read
Strange Situations
The Purple Challenge
Besides I'll sick of designers making snide remarks about women who arent fashion victims.
Who do they think buys their clothes?
If rich parents refused to give their brats any allowance if they spend it on designer gear from designers who refuse to cater to larger dress sizes then the designers would soon change their tune?
Comment by Julie Vaux
Books Well Read
Strange Situations
The Purple Challenge
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
The thing is, women who can fit into designer clothes aren't going to be affected by designers' "snide remarks" because they're not directed at them personally. Sure, they might feel bad for their plus-sized counterparts but probably won't refrain from buying the clothes themselves.
As for rich kids buying designer clothes from an allowance..... does that actually happen, or is it just an assumption? I was considered by my peers to be a 'rich kid' when I was younger, because my father ran a successful business and my family was very comfortable as a result, but I was never given a big enough allowance to buy all my clothes designer. I doubt there would be many wealthy people stupid enough to let their children do that (the Hiltons and Kardashians of the world are a tiny, tiny minority).
It would be interesting to found out the age groups that designers cater to, because I suspect most of them would be either young professionals or fit, middle-aged women... not teenagers. But without seeing such figures, we can't ever know for sure.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
A nice meaty post, I like it.
I think the definition of feminist is forever evolving because the issues are forever evolving.
As for fashion, I am not well versed on the history of fashion through the ages but I do know why I get dressed up, or dressed down and it is for me.
Fashion is one of those tricky things though. You don't want to be defined by your clothes, but your clothes can help relay a message about yourself.
Fascinating subject.
Love & stuff
Mrs M