I read an article on Total Frat Move several months ago from the male perspective on why he believes women should not wear a particular item of clothing. His argument is entirely based on his opinion of the garment and the way he thinks it makes girls look. He is confused as to why anyone would like the style, believing it to be matronly and unflattering.
This article upsets me for several reasons.
First, it is not anyone’s place to comment on what another person should or should not wear. Of course everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but that does not justify speaking poorly about someone else’s clothing choices. If you don’t like it, don’t wear it. It is unnecessary and unappreciated to push your thoughts on someone else.
Second, not once did the author consider that a female may wear something because SHE LIKES IT. He did not take into account that a woman might not be dressing only to attract the male gaze- he seems to have forgotten that a woman’s sole purpose in dressing is not to be visually appealing to the opposite sex.
I think this frame of mind has had a drastic effect on both men and women and the clothing choices they make. Sure, we sometimes dress to be noticed and there is nothing wrong with that. However, it is when we dress with fear of disapproval in mind that casts us into hot water. We fear wearing a garment because we believe someone else may not like it or think it is unflattering. Instead of wearing it anyways, something we may really like, we self-consciously push the garment aside in favor of something more accepted.
How do you pull off something that others don’t normally wear? Wear it anyways, without regard to what others may think about it. Wear it because it makes you feel confident or comfortable or beautiful. Wear it because you like it, not because you want to please other people. What you put on your own body is your choice, not an opportunity for others to comment.
-Jesse Tye