Already Pretty

Already Prettypoll: Are You Comfy with Self-love?

2009-11-10T06:55:00.004-06:00

Lovely reader Bethany dropped this thought-provoking e-mail into my inbox a few weeks back:

Now that I can look in the mirror and not hate my reflection or focus on every flaw, I almost feel a little self conscious for thinking I am beautiful. It feels right to focus on flaws and try to improve. It feels uncomfortable to approve of myself, like I've become narcissistic. When people say I look nice it feels vain to just say thank you, and agree with them. I'm wondering if other people feel the same way, and so we settle back into our body loathing because it is more comfortable?

As I told Bethany, I know for certain that ours is a CULTURE of self-hatred, and I've had women write to me to say that they fabricate body image woes just so they can fit in with their less-confident friends. As for women who have reversed their self-loathing and feel suddenly narcissistic, I'm not as sure. I can certainly see how it might present a mental and emotional conundrum ...

Are you self-conscious about self-love? Do you worry that simply accepting compliments will make you appear vain or arrogant? On a more personal/private level, does it seem unnatural to look in the mirror and feel pride and affection for your own reflection?

As someone who spent years sunk to my armpits in the quagmire of self-loathing, I still have days when I scowl at myself and doubt and nitpick. But I am generally in a place of healthy self-love and acceptance and I feel acute relief that I can love my reflection unabashedly.

I'm very interested to hear how you all feel ...

Vintage Threadz Giveaway

2009-11-09T20:50:00.000-06:00

Did you win? Click to find out.

Just Deserts

2009-11-09T06:59:00.006-06:00

Your body gets blamed for its faults and criticized for its shortcomings. Your body gets lambasted for its weaknesses and scorned for its quirks. Your body gets abused and shamed and taken for granted and it all seems so easy, natural, normal.

But your body deserves so much more.

Your body deserves respect.
Reverence.
Care.
Love.
Approval.
Admiration.
Affection.
Acknowledgment for its natural, undeniable beauty.
Praise for its strength and resilience.
Acceptance of its precious uniqueness.
Your body deserves respect.

Who will give it these things, if not you? Who will see your body for the miracle that it is, if not you? Who will nourish your body and tend its needs, if not you? Who will lavish your body with much-needed praise and nurture it with patience and understanding? Who will give your body everything it deserves, if not you?

You first.

Image courtesy Cia de Foto.
P.S. No, I didn't spell it wrong.

Sunday Shoes: Dansko Mayas

2009-11-08T13:23:00.003-06:00

These are my wedding shoes. No, I didn't wear them at MY wedding. I've worn them to about 20 weddings where I was shooting as Husband Mike's assistant. I can wear these clunkers with comfy black slacks and be on my feet for 10+ hours without feeling it. Much.

We haven't shot a wedding in a couple of years, but they pop up occasionally. And I'm thinking, in the meantime, these could be my brogue substitute. I look ridiculous in brogues, but these boat-like monsters with tights and a floral dress? Cuteness.

Blot, Blot, Blot

2009-11-08T07:40:00.004-06:00

Since it falls under the heading of "truly bizarre," I excluded this little gem from my recent beauty post. I felt it was odd enough to merit its own post! It's a trick I picked it up from a recent issue of InStyle, and it has served me well thus far:

Did you know that toilet seat covers make fabulous blotting papers? UNUSED ONES, OBVIOUSLY. They are just the right thickness and consistency to absorb facial oil, and won't dry you up like the Clean & Clear jobbers I use by the truckload on my shiny, shiny, shiny face. I won't be stocking up on toilet seat covers anytime soon, but they've come to the rescue in many a restaurant bathroom already!

Image via MySistersJar.

Groove Your Body to ... Good Old War

2009-11-07T19:21:00.001-06:00

It's Saturday night! Why not groove your body to "Coney Island" by Good Old War?

Outfit Roundup: Week of October 25

2009-11-07T07:19:00.014-06:00

White long-sleeved tee, thrifted at ARC's Value Village
Black sheer layered skirt, thrifted in SF
Heather gray tights, Gap
Boots, Born Tessa via Dodd's Shoe Company
Necklace, Loehmann's in Chicago
Cocktail ring, Karin Jacobson

I saw these boots in the November issue of Lucky, worn with a fairly similar outfit. Then I saw them on Barking Dog Shoes. Then I became obsessed, and bought them. And I adore them completely. They're as comfy as they are cool.

Husband Mike adores them, too. If he could squeeze into them, he'd borrow them. Fortunately they're far too small, so I don't have to share.

On a whim, I slipped on this superfantastic Karin Jacobson cocktail ring. It's rare for me to mix up my ring routine, but I felt like it made sense to balance out that chunk of a necklace with a chunk of a ring.

Green vintage dress, thrifted at ARC's Value Village
Teal tights, Banana Republic
Gray Tsubo Acreas
Teal and turquoise leopard print scarf worn as belt, thrifted
Gray shell pearl necklace, Target last year
Fossil watch, I've had it since college

When I first thrifted this dress, it seemed too big in the upper-bodice/bust. But when I tried it on at the tailor, with every intention of having it taken in, it fit fine. Clearly, all the push-ups I've been doing lately have filled out my pecs. Or I gained a bunch of weight in my ... shoulders. Whatever, just glad the dress fits now!

Black leather coat, Wilson's
White tunic, Intoto
Pink tank dress, Express
Black leggings, Target
Black boots, Tsubo Kison
Vintage pink fur hat, see below

Cal called me and said, "Hey, what are you doing today?" And I said, "Shopping." She said, "There's a vintage sale you NEED to check out in Richfield. I am carrying around nine dresses right now." She ended up buying 13 before we even arrived, and I bagged 10 of my own ... but the real prize of the day was likely this hat. It was $3.

And I was already wearing my little pink and black ensemble, so I could just tack it onto my head and spend the rest of the day attracting attention to my noggin.

Navy blazer, thrifted
Insane polyester thing, vintage sale described above
Navy tights, Banana Republic
Yellow peeptoe slingbacks, Aldo

This outfit should be way cuter. In theory, it is unbearably cute ... but in practice? Meh. Still love that insane polyester thing, and it will make many more appearances, I'm sure. Also:

I ate my cats, you guys. I had to do it. They got in my outfit shot again. Plus I was reeeeeeally hungry.

Tsubo Pina Short Boot Review

2009-11-06T21:23:00.000-06:00

Read my review of these slouchy shorties right here, kittens.

Lovely Links: November 6

2009-11-06T16:18:00.019-06:00

Roni has been through a lot with her body, including ED and surgeries. Now she's made her peace.

Want to see some truly stunning winter coats? Most of which neither you nor I can afford? And ALL of which are by Canadian designers? Daily Outfitting has put together a roundup that made me drool all over my keyboard. If those don't do it for you, try these via IndieFixx.

Ya know those McQueen shoes that everyone went ga-ga over? Here's how they compare to a normal pair of shoes. Additionally, that "style" of shoe has been available for years. Don't believe me?

If you enjoyed my post this week about life with a spare tire, dig into this amazing older post from Daddy Likey, titled Autobiography of a Belly.

Marketing Mama highlights the MOA's most recent ad campaign, which I agree is 100% brilliant.

The ladies at College Candy are madly in love with Bandits. And no, I don't mean bandana-clad bank robbers.

Still a little freaked at the prospect of shopping online? Audi has written a fabulous guide to buying carefully and successfully from online retatilers.

Promise to tackle this myself soon, per many reader requests, but here are Imogen's tips for minimizing a prominent bust.

Super excited to hear about the launch of Fab Over Fifty. And, in case you missed it when the first round of cheers went up, do check out Advanced Style. Who says chic is the exclusive domain of the under-25 crowd?

Stephanie's imaginary outfit posts make me endlessly happy.

Video: Style Versus Taste

2009-11-06T06:46:00.002-06:00

Wow. If you did a shot every time I said, "cultivate" you'd be WASTED by now. I guess I secretly long to farm ...

Reader Request: Sal's Beauty Tips

2009-11-05T06:39:00.001-06:00

Several requests for beauty tips have rolled in over the months, and I've studiously ignored them just as I did requests for jean-related advice. Why, you ask? Because I am such an amateur when it comes to cosmetics and the complexities of beauty products and routines. I mean, I'm clean, don't get me wrong. I'm a well-groomed lass. But most days I wash up, scrunch some product in my hair, and leave the house with a wet head and a bare face. And everything I know about cosmetics and their application, I've learned from reading Sonja's posts over at The Coveted. And I mean RECENTLY, people.

However, in thinking it over, I've realized that I do have an opinion or two about how to keep pretty. And you'll sense a theme in them almost instantly ...

1. Natural is better: No matter how resilient your skin/hair/body appears to be, you're always best served to choose products that have few ingredients, natural ingredients, organic ingredients. Mineral makeup, plant-based hair products, natural soaps ... all will do better things for your bod in the long term than chemical-laden concoctions.

2. Don't smoke: Yeah, yeah, I know. What fun is THAT? But seriously, if you want to keep your skin healthy and elastic, clear and fresh-looking, keep the smoking to a minimum. I would cough and hack like a noob if you handed me a cig ... and although I battle the hormonally-triggered acne, I have been told by doctor after doctor that I have youthful, healthy skin. And that a lack nicotine in my system is a contributing factor. I'm just sayin'.

3. While you're at it, watch that diet: We like to think that the products we apply to our exterior selves are the only ones that will affect the lustre of our locks and the glow of our complexions. Not so, not so! The more French fries and candy, pizza and Cheetos we ingest, the more likely a breakout. I do not care about the latest study results claiming that chocolate is fabulous for your health. It's common sense. Junk food is called "junk" for a reason, and it will take the shine right offa ya. Indulge, by all means, but indulge on occasion! If you're subsisting on crap alone, you nails, hair, and skin will show it.

4. Minimize heat treatments: Another tip that will make me wildly unpopular! If you blow dry or flat iron your hair every day, it WILL rebel eventually. Hair needs rest. Commit to wearing it in an untouched bun, ponytail, or hat a couple of times a week. It will thank you.

5. Let your nails breathe: Manicures are gorgeous. But if you don't allow the living nail beneath to get some air and grow out naturally every once in a while, you'll end up with grotty yellow talons. My nails split a lot - more often when I'm eating badly - so I'll put a single coat of clear polish on them when I want them to grow a bit longer. But even that comes off for at least a week at a time each month. More often, if I'm feeling less fancy and more earthy.

6. Play with makeup: I had never even APPLIED mascara to my eyelashes until about four months ago. And once I did, I understood why many women apply it daily. Do I apply it daily now? Hells no. It looks great, but feels ookey and I'm just too lazy most days. However, allowing myself to experiment with it was quite valuable, and now I can gussy on a whole other level when the occasion arises. Try something new in your cosmetics regimen every once in a while. You might love it, you might hate it, you might utilize it once a year. But you'll never know if ya don't branch out once in a while. Maybe you were born to wear a matte red lip ...

7. Be kind to yourself: Don't tan. Don't deprive yourself of sleep or water or regular exercise. Don't wear shoes that give you angry red blisters. Don't pull your hair back so tight you get a migraine. Don't stop wearing that bright blue eyeliner you love because some snob in your chemistry class made fun of you. Don't dye your hair over, and over, and over, and over. Don't use anything topical that claims it will get rid of your cellulite. Be smart about your beauty choices, and don't do anything that hurts, stings, burns, or feels bad/unnatural/unhealthy to you in any way.

Products I swear by:
Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara - goes on, stays on, relatively clump-free
Kiehl's tinted lip balms - I only use petroleum-based balms, and this is my fave
Almay Smart Shade Blush - gives just a hint of color, very natural
Physician's Formula face powders - all minerals!
Nearly everything in the Garnier Fructis line - a really solid selection of hair styling products
Cetaphil facial cleanser - fantastically mild
Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade - fab for curly hair touch-ups
Aveda All Sensitive Moisturizer - the lightest, least greasy I've found
Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo - once every other week, or even less

Well. Was that crunchy-granola enough for yas? Basically, anything beauty-related coming from me is going to encourage you to live healthy, use natural products, and minimize the impact on your body. Nothing remotely groundbreaking, but there it is.

If anyone is hoping for specific beauty info or tips, let me know. I can wrangle a guest post or two out of my more knowledgeable blogging compatriots.

Who Are You?

2009-11-04T06:44:00.002-06:00

Appearance is a fundamental component of identity.

Although genetics exert tremendous influence, you do have a measure of control over how your body looks. You control food intake and physical activity. You decide if you want to wear makeup and, if so, how much. You direct your hairstylist, manicurist, tanning salon attendant, tattoo artist. You select your clothing, shoes, and accessories. You decide how and when you will WEAR those clothing, shoes, and accessories.

You, and you alone, craft the physical self that you present to the observing world.

It's a lot of responsibility, that level of control. You cannot point fingers and blame others for your ill-fitting slacks and outdated hairdo. But it's also tremendously empowering. So much in life is out of your hands, so many events drop into your lap unasked for and unwanted, so many choices seem predetermined. But in this, you drive. You make every call from nail color to heel height to muscle tone to hem length. Appearance is yours to craft.

And appearance is a fundamental component of identity.

Who do you want to be?

Image courtesy Bukutgirl.

Vintage Threadz Handbag Giveaway

2009-11-03T21:23:00.001-06:00

For a chance to win this fantastically adorable little handbag, click here!

This Week I Love ...

2009-11-03T06:44:00.001-06:00

... leather clothing.

In the past two months, I have purchased two leather skirts and a pair of leather pants. This is in addition to the leather skirt I already had, my gorgeous leather vest from Attiladesign, and at least three leather coats. But has my thirst for leather clothing been slaked? Hardly.

Blueberry leather wrap skirt, $285
Attiladesign

Skinny leather pants, $79.99
Metrostyle

Leather hoodie, $199.99
Sundance Catalog

Pleat-front leather skirt, $36
SpunSugarVintage

Draped leather vest, $175
Blackmarketbaby

Red leather trench/dress, $45
Tinywardrobe

Tsubo Acrea Winner

2009-11-02T23:22:00.000-06:00

Is it you??? Click to find out!

Reader Request: The Side View

2009-11-02T06:49:00.002-06:00

Reader Vildy asked for some input on how to flatter her profile. Since she feels she looks considerably more slender from the front than from the side, she asked for a side-view analysis and a few figure-flattery tips.

This is a question that is quite close to my heart. And so, my friends, it is time to properly introduce you to my tum.

First, here's me from the front:

And now, from the side.

Helluva difference, no? Just like Vildy, I look considerably slimmer seen face-on. Not better, mind you, just slimmer.* And I have learned a number of tricks for minimizing my midsection bulge that I will now share ... with the understanding that they are best suited to women whose natural waists are a bit smaller than their bellies. My guess is that those who appear proportioned from the front but less so in profile will be built similarly to me. And since Vildy didn't specify, I'm going with that theory!

You apple-shaped ladies will find most of these tricks useless, I'm afraid - click here for a few apple-specific musings.

EMBRACE

1. Full skirts

A full skirt with a nipped-in waist will draw the eye to your narrowest point, and flare out stiffly from there, masking the tum entirely. SCORE.

2. Princess seams

Much of de-emphasizing the belly is about emphasizing the waist. Princess seams are ideal for this, as they nip in at the natural waist and float over the hips without clinging.

3. Belted button-down shirts

This is basically a way to create the effect of a full skirt while wearing pants. Belting at the natural waist emphasizes its slimness, and since button-downs are generally stiff, they'll flare out naturally beneath the belt.

4. Belted floor-length skirts

Belt nice and high, and let pick a long skirt that is A-line or full. It'll create volume lower on your body, but overall have the same effect as a shorter full skirt. This look works best if you're average or above-average height. Shorties might get swallowed up by all that length ...

5. Vintage-style shirtwaist dresses

Belting helps, but this style can work on its own, too. Make sure to find a frock that has waist definition and a flared skirt.

6. Fitted blazers

And I mean FITTED. This blazer is my ideal, as it is practically a corset. As with all of the other key pieces, it emphasizes the waist, flares out over the tum, and creates pleasing proportions.

AVOID

1. Dropwaists

I'm pretty well convinced that dropwaists look horrendous on all body types, but they're particularly offensive on havers-of-tum. You're basically making a snug packet for your entire upper body, from shoulders to hips. What a fantastic way to draw attention to your spare tire!

2. Empire waistlines

I know that many, many style experts declare this style to be a life-saver for anyone with some weight around the middle. And they DO work for some folks, but not for all. Depending on your build and the cut of the garment, empire waistlines can make the slimmest of us look preggers. If you've got a protruberant tum, do you really want to stir up those rumors?

3. Well, just general tightness

My tee was super tight, and my skirt was pulling across the belly and hips. Both of which drew attention to my middle. The giant floppy bow sprawled across my collarbone helped distract, but still. Overly tight clothing will cling and reveal, so make sure your clothes are fitted without being suffocatingly snug.

FOR WHEN YOU DON'T CARE

1. High-waisted skirts and pants

If you're more concerned with emphasizing your waistline than disguising your tum, high-waisted bottoms are fantastic. But don't expect a bump-free side view.

2. Sheath dresses

There's that same pink dress from the top two photos. A true sheath features a pencil skirt-esque bottom half, and since you'll have an unbroken line from shoulders to knees, there's no way to disguise the tum. But hey, check out how hot I am in my sheath, tum and all.

3. Long, slim, fitted layers

Same basic concept as the sheath: It's gonna hug your curves, both the ones you want to emphasize and the ones you want to mask. But if you want to play around with proportions and look cool instead of svelte, go for it.

Is your front view drastically different from your side view? Is it tum-related? If not, what causes the discrepancy? Do you do anything specific to mitigate?

*Please be aware that if you decide that your tum is bigger than mine, and I have no right to be self-conscious, I will not publish your comment. See this post for further explanation.

Sunday Shoes: Fluevog Adagios

2009-11-01T13:54:00.002-06:00

I hunted for these shoes for three years before tracking them down on eBay. And when they were finally mine, this happened.

Groove Your Body to ... Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

2009-10-31T19:37:00.004-05:00

It's Saturday night! AND it's HALLOWEEEEEEN. Why not groove your body to "Red Right Hand" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds?

Outfit Roundup: Week of October 18

2009-10-31T07:36:00.023-05:00

Brown sweater dress, thrifted
Brown silk slip, Eileen Fisher Outlet
Heather gray tights, Banana Republic
Silk scarf, Echo
Brown suede Tsubo Asmiks

Last year I bought two crinkled silk slips at the Eileen Fischer outlet for $10 apiece. Little did I know that I'd wear them on a weekly basis once it got cold out. They are absolutely perfect for layering under sweater dresses! They keep the dress from sticking to my tights, add another layer of warmth, and make scandalously short tunic/dresses totally wearable. What a stroke of luck!

Sweater dress WITH CATS ON IT, The Mexican Shop
Teal tights, probably Target
Orange pumps, Perlina Celebrity
Bracelets and necklace, both gifts from my awesome mom

I bought this adorable dress on a recent trip to Chicago to visit my parents. Snapped it up from my favorite local boutique, which I visited with ...

... Clare of Between Laundry Days! And this was AGES ago and I'm a crap-ass blogger for not posting about it sooner. Especially since Clare is so lovely and smart and funny and generally awesome and posted about our visit in a timely fashion. I am quite sure we will coffee and shop again soon!

Pink ... thing, self-made
Black turtleneck sweaterdress, thrifted at ARC's Value Village
Fishnets, Target
Black boots, Diesel Go-Go
Black leather belt, thrifted at ARC's Value Village

So I recently developed a complex, you guys. I believe the technical name for my complex is "HEY, I can make stuff!" This, er, vest was borne of that delusion and I am still a little unsure about it. I just kept seeing these extremely simple, drapey, deconstructed garments selling for $100+ and thinking, "THE HELL?!? That's just a piece of jersey knit with two armholes cut in it!"

So that's what I did. I'm gonna keep experimenting with wearing this thing different ways. And if, after five or six tries, I still feel like a complete loon wearing it, I'll just hack it up into scarves.

Navy wool bolero, Anthropologie last year
Navy tee, AA via Yque
Navy skirt, Ann Taylor over the summer
Olive green tights, Target
Navy pumps, thrifted

Two years ago, wearing FOUR - count 'em, FOUR - different shades of navy would've driven me to the brink. Now, I'm loving it. Especially with the olive green tights for contrast.

This roundup is from last week, but since TODAY is Halloween, let's hear about Stonehenge, shall we? What could be spookier, I ask you?

Lovely Links: October 30

2009-10-30T16:04:00.014-05:00

Still have mixed feelings about the Campaign for Real Beauty, but dang, this Dove/Wal-Mart commercial is DARLING. And a simple, earnest reinforcement of self-acceptance. (Courtesy Lemon Love.)

Sarah Von has written a survival guide to days when you feel like you've been hit upside the head with an ugly stick.

Where do we draw the line between "diligence" and "obsession" when it comes to healthy living?

Eco-friendly styles really are getting more and more covetable. Jennine spotlights a Canadian line that is breathtakingly gorgeous and, sadly, breathtakingly expensive. But great eye-candy!

Imogen points us toward the Australian government's recently penned Voluntary Code of Conduct on Body Image. Thoughts?

Oh Honey No's got some great resources for the color-phobic. And Futurelint doles out some advice on how to wear color without looking like a nutjob.

A very personal story on the link between exercise and reduced risk of breast cancer.

Imelda Matt's Jean Brown window installation is GLORIOUS. I mean, obviously.

Facial hair. Is there anything more hateful? Dr. Lissa Rankin weighs in on whether it's something to worry about, or just deal with.

Look out world: Saturday Jane has joined a gym.

Missa muses on how she became a goddess of thrifting.

Have I mentioned that I'm giving away a pair of Tsubo Acreas, my signature shoe? Have you entered the contest yet? Well, why the heck not?!??!!?

Winter Fitness Cheat Sheet

2009-10-30T07:06:00.006-05:00

It's getting colder. It's getting darker. It's getting harder to get up in the morning, eat a freezing cold salad for your lunch, and haul ass to the gym in the evening. And while it is normal and natural to put on a few pounds in the winter, it's also helpful to stay as active as you can during those long, dark months. As tempting as hibernation may be, we're simply not built for it. And so ...

- Take the stairs. Any and everywhere. If your office is on the 32nd floor, take the elevator to 27 and walk the remainder.

- Jump rope. Invest $9 at Target and pretend you're a boxer.

- Do a Five Minute Clean: Spend five minutes picking up, scrubbing down, and intensely tidying your home. Think of it like interval training: Go as hard and fast as you can while still being effective.

- Roller skate! Why freeze your gazongas off at the ice rink when you can head to the toasty-warm roller rink instead. Be sure to request "Brick House" while you're there.

- Offer piggyback rides to the small humans in your life.

- Go dancing. Or if you don't care to dance in public, throw on a song that makes you wiggle, and WIGGLE. I recommend this, this, or this. Oh, and be sure to wiggle till you schvitz a little - at least 5-6 minutes at a stretch.

- Reeorganize. Your basement, your closet, your kitchen, the storeroom at work. Engage in some productive heavy lifting.

- Bowl. Bowl your little heart out. But bear in mind, that you mark that frame an 8, and you're entering a world of pain.

What little things will YOU be doing to keep yourself active once the cold truly sets in?

Image courtesy Marshall Astor.

This Week I Love ...

2009-10-29T07:03:00.004-05:00

... floor-length skirts.

I love showing some leg, as you all know, but I also have a long-standing love affair with superlong skirts. I finally realized that ankle-length straight skirts make me look a mess, and am limiting myself to floor-length flared ones. Clingy tubes can work - like the navy blue jobber I paired with my deep-v white tunic - but flared A-lines are even better. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for them as I thrift my way through the fall.

Just see how happy these skirts make me?

How do you feel about long skirts? Do you wear them? Like them on others? Stick to shorter hemlines?

Style and Feminism

2009-10-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

Most days, this blog addresses one of two major topics: Style or body image. I might even say fashion or feminism. And although many posts attempt to meld the two, sometimes I wonder if readers who are primarily interested in one topic get frustrated when focus shifts to the other.

But I see these two ideas as inextricably linked. Style feeds off body image, body image fuels style. Fashion can illuminate feminism, feminism can influence fashion. At least on a personal level. And here's how:

As you are no doubt aware, feminism encompasses a HUGE number of ideals, movements, and activities. Although many focus specifically on equality of the sexes (1), feminist causes range from desires to rectify political inequalities and secure prenatal care, to fights for equal pay and equal rights for women worldwide. (2) Under the umbrella of feminism, you'll also find the struggle for "women's right to bodily integrity and autonomy."(3) Much of which relates to reproductive issues, sexuality, and protection from domestic violence (4), but some of which is linked to the simple need for personal, physical respect. All feminist movements are rooted in a desire to feel respected, empowered, and self-reliant. And this is where bodily knowledge, self-image, and personal style come into play.

RESPECT
Appearance is a fundamental component of identity. Every day as we prepare to engage with others, we make decisions about physical appearance that will influence how we are perceived.* And, like it or not, how we present ourselves affects how centered we feel and how much respect we are given by superiors, peers, strangers, friends, everyone. Dressing well - in clean, flattering, stylish, situationally-appropriate clothing - shows that we know and respect OURSELVES. And self-respect is absolutely essential in garnering the respect of others.

EMPOWERMENT
Bodily knowledge - exploring your figure and understanding what is best for it in terms of activity, grooming, and clothing - boosts self-image. A strong self-image often leads to interest in cultivating personal style. But that system also works in reverse: Taking an interest in personal style can lead to accumulating bodily knowledge, which then boosts self-image. Regardless of the order of acquisition, all three elements contribute to holistic empowerment. Understanding your body, loving your body, and tending your body all build a strong sense of self, foster a defined identity, and encourage positive self-image. Courage, exploration, action, and decisiveness flow naturally from those who have learned to love and believe in themselves, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Know your body, know yourself. (5)

SELF-RELIANCE
Modern life is full of pre-made decisions. We are born into certain geographic regions under certain political and financial circumstances. We are given certain genes, and ingest certain chemicals, and encounter certain diseases. We meet people based on chance and get jobs based on the global economic climate. But many modern women have the luxury of near-total control over appearance. We may be influenced by peer pressure, societal norms, outside opinions, availability, and even climate ... but in the end, we decide. Personal style is an arena in which we rely solely on ourselves, in which we exert absolute control.

This is not to say that style IS feminism, that all fashion-conscious women are feminists, or that runway shows are acts of female empowerment. I mean, OBVIOUSLY. This is just to say that those who perceive interest in personal style as frivolous, shallow, or wasteful are failing to make some important connections between style and feminism: Respecting our bodies enough to treat and dress them well demonstrates that we respect ourselves. Nothing is more empowering than a strong self-image, which is directly linked to bodily knowledge and love. And most women rely solely on themselves for all decisions relating to personal image, making style a realm of self-reliance.

And so in the battle to secure "women's right to bodily integrity and autonomy," I believe that personal style should be counted as a part of our arsenal.

(1) Webster's, among others
(2) Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Topics in Feminism
(3) Wikipedia, Feminism
(4) Feminist.com
(5) Empowerment and Powerlessness: A Closer Look at the Relationship Between Feminism, Body Image and Eating Disturbance (Summary)

And for a fascinating read on the interplay between feminism and fashion, see "Feminist Theory of the Dressed Female Body: A Comparative Analysis and Applications for Textiles and Clothing Scholarship"

*Even people who claim not to care about how they look, actually DO care about how they look: Every adult human is responsible for his or her own grooming, clothing selection, health, and fitness. If a person neglects or ignores those things, that person is still making choices.

Image courtesy caribb.

Tsubo Acrea Giveaway

2009-10-27T20:05:00.002-05:00

Yeah, that's right. Giving away my signature shoe. Click here to enter!

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