Since I'm (supposed to be) packing my clothes for college, I guess I've had clothes and clothes shopping on my brain. I've walked into countless stores looking for clothes that fit my feminist, body-positive-ish, machine-washable, cute ideals and it's been a bit of a struggle to say the least. ;)
1. Short Shorts
Constantly tugging down your shorts as you walk isn't practical folks. Since they're sarcastically called "Denim Underwear" by some of my guy friends I'd say that's pretty obvious sexual objectification here. Also, their media presentation perpetuate the ideal of thin, hairless legs as the ideal.
2. Swimsuits that fall off when wet
I'd say this is about as impractical as you can get, clothes meant for the water that fall off the wearer's body when wet. Girls like to swim laps, play monkey-in-the-middle and dive too, okay?
3. Generally Revealing Swimsuits (even one-pieces)
Some of us don't want to show up to the beach half-naked okay? Here's a great Buzzfeed article on this issue for queer femmes or non-binary folks in particular.
4. Thin T-Shirts Requiring Camisoles
Capitalism at its best, selling multiple shirts for one outfit to women experiencing various levels of the wage gap. *Fabulous*
5. Overly Revealing Sportswear
I'm sensing a theme folks!! Some ladies don't want to walk around the place half-undressed, they just want to live active lives in comfortable clothes. The 2016 Wimbledon and Nike's priority of fashion over function proved this perfectly.
6. Skirts impossible to bend over or sit in
Speaking of active lives...some of us are clumsy and would like to pick up that pencil off the floor without our butts on public display. Hyper-sexualization of women's bodies seem to be a problem around here!
7. Sheer Nylons
Okay, I'm honestly not sure why these were invented. Your legs pretty much look bare wearing them because they are sheer, nylons are hard to put on especially for folks with mobility issues and oh yeah they cost a lot of money. Let's create arbitrary "professional" societal standards like hairless legs should be covered in see-through, expensive material. *Awesome*
8. Heels
Continuing with the arbitrary "professional" standard theme, high heels are again unnecessary sexualization, constraining activity and discomfort/possible physical harm rolled into one.
9. NO POCKETS!
Aaarrggghhhh!! (My feelings on this topic) The only thing worse... FAKE pockets that you don't notice until you're home from shopping. Here's the sexist history of women's clothing lacking pockets.
10. Sweater/Coat that isn't warm
I get it society, bulk (due to fatphobia) isn't sexy. But when a girl's gotta shovel snow or take the neighbor's kids sledding or sit in a cold classroom, an actually warm coat or sweater *would be* nice. (A coat with big pockets too would be awesome, but that would be too much to ask!?!)
11. Bras
Okay, please hear me out. They can be uncomfortable, are always waay overpriced and many of them serve no true practical purpose except conforming to societal standards.
So femme-styled fashion is often sexist due to societal standards, well, that's nothing new... *sigh*. I love to spark discussions, if you agree or disagree with my sexist pronouncements; let's hear about it in the comments.
