Full disclosure: I’m not really sure that I identify as a feminist. A few years ago I definitely would have, but now I’m not so sure, the more I explore feminism the more I begin to think it isn’t friendly to someone like me. I am good at cooking, cleaning, running a household, makeup, hair, dressing… and I am far more likely to wear full skirts and dresses than anything else. I don’t mind men holding doors or elevators, or insisting on picking up a check (out of politeness you can only demur three times). So, I don’t know, and I don’t want to write 500 words on this, it isn’t really the right forum. Onward.
2. There is more to each of us than a love for fashion, how do you incorporate every aspect of yourself into your blog?
I keep Delayed Missives really personal style-based, but I try to be as honest as I can about everything I post here. And sometimes I let personal details slip through, I’m still working on that blog award from Shenneth, I swear, I just can’t find any photos of myself from high school (am still unsure if this is actually a bad thing).
3. With the fashion industry still being a male-dominated profession, how do you think it would differ if women played a larger role?
I don’t know how to answer this because I’m not an industry insider and I’ve never done an academic study on gender in the fashion industry. It makes me hesitant to answer this question because I feel like I don’t have enough information to give an accurate answer. Maybe LVMH would acquire less luxury labels? (ha. P.S. There’s a really good article about Christian Louboutin in The New Yorker that eventually led me to think that mindset is the only thing that separates the high heel as a form of oppression and the high heel as just another shoe.) Anyway, I actually don’t think women are doing too badly in the industry. I do realize that there are more men designing than women (at least I think there are) but I don’t consider the gender of a designer when I select clothing– especially because I think gender is such a product of the society we live in. I think we hold gender norms up and make them sort of the be-all and end-all when it comes to interacting with people, which isn’t necessarily a good thing to do.
4. How is your self-image and the way you carry yourself informed by your beliefs?
I tend to wear what I want to and in the end I really don’t care what other people think. I wear skirts a lot — and dresses too — despite the number of “dressed-up” (you know what I’m talking about) comments I tend to get. I do find it very insulting that someone would believe the only reason I would be wearing something other than sweatpants is if I were going to see a man. As if I care at all what a man would think of what I am wearing.
5. Do you think clothing/makeup/hair helps communicate the truth about yourself or are those things superfluous add-ons?
For me, I think it’s superfluous because my outside appearance doesn’t always match up with my personality. Clothing and whatever is more like a study in art and aesthetics to me… maybe I’m communicating a few truths about myself instead of all of them at once? I can’t imagine what that would look like, definitely a fashion disaster!
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I really like the way you answered these questions an definitely agree with you on your answers. I didn’t answer the questions myself because I too don’t really identify as a feminist, though of course I agree with equal rights for women. I dress in a manner that makes me feel comfortable and ‘myself.’ If gentlemen appreciate that, it’s great, but I dress for myself first and foremost.