My Hyde Park moment

[philena]

A woman and I both turned onto Woodlawn at about the same time, and she said to me that I looked like a boy from behind. She then continued talking about the way I dressed, how it was clear that I was into neutral clothes, that there are other options for girls, and so on. It wasn't at all hostile, more like a "be aware of what you can wear when you decide you're ready for it." She was very friendly, and prattled on about machines they now have in the Gap (or maybe Old Navy) that measure a woman's body with electric eyes to tell them exactly what cut of jeans are good for them, because all women's bodies are different. I pointed out that all men's bodies are different too, but they make do with baggy pants and a belt, and she laughed and said that I could buy girl's jeans baggy if I wanted, with rhinestones or butterflies or embroidery. I suggested that these machines might not be as good as she thought, because they were fake make-work for the fashion industry, and the effort might be better put into something else. She said that girls like and want to have those options. I said that girls have been conditioned to think they need those options. She laughed and said that I was just in a "neutral stage", and I should think about the other options when I decide I'm ready for them.

Huh.

Comments

[suddenleap.livejournal.com]

Weird. This was just a strange woman you did not know at all? Because that seems really odd and kind of offensive--I generally assume that college-age people are aware of their options and dress however they do for a reason, and would not presume to tell even the most poorly dressed that they had other choices. Anyway, whether she offended you or not, I don't think you look like a boy at all, and I'm surprised somebody would say that.

[philena.livejournal.com]

Funnily enough, it wasn't at all offensive. Just 'huh'-inducing. And while I'm glad you don't think I look like a boy, it should be mentioned that I have constantly been mistaken for one, even since I came to college: it happened in the Co-op a few times, it happend in the metro fall quarter, and I'm sure there have been other times I can't remember.