boyswhoaregirlswhoareboys
eye-opener of the day: the Takarazuka Revue.
reminds me of sec sch days in IJ when our 'shuai' seniors gender-bent for theatrical effect to the delight of the juniors.haha bizarre
i think if we break it down, the fascination with gender-bending begins with its subversion of male-centered values which we grew up with. so when a woman cross-dresses, it's a statement about asserting self-will against the social mores of gender attire. although ironically when she dresses like a male, also implicit is her intrinsically higher regard for male apparel and hence overturns her statement on female empowerment.haha now my own head is spinning.
for me, i've never embraced skirts or dresses as a kid because i recall how they seem uncomfortably itchy and ill-fitting due to my unusually larger bone mass. also how dresses made me feel somewhat weaker when tumbling with the boys in kindy. the physical freedom of shorts or jeans always made me feel like i could conquer the world. then there was the issue of shoes. my mom put me in mary janes or sandals which were flat and lovely for climbing, running etc.
then i got to work and i tried on these clompy pumps which sounded authoritative though you can't run for the train in them without risk of breakage to heel and own foot.
then i discovered doc marten's and the even more lovely clompy command which allowed broad strides and a devil-may-care swagger. paired with jeans and a comfy cotton shirt, it gave me the feeling of inexplicable 'rightness'.
i guess what we wear and how we wear it really is an extension of who we are. so despite the facade of manly/butchy demeanour i wear on my clothes, behind it i still feel like a natural woman. haha
point of entry: gender-bending can sometimes be nothing more than pragmatic comfort. it doesn't have to mean anything.
reminds me of sec sch days in IJ when our 'shuai' seniors gender-bent for theatrical effect to the delight of the juniors.haha bizarre
i think if we break it down, the fascination with gender-bending begins with its subversion of male-centered values which we grew up with. so when a woman cross-dresses, it's a statement about asserting self-will against the social mores of gender attire. although ironically when she dresses like a male, also implicit is her intrinsically higher regard for male apparel and hence overturns her statement on female empowerment.haha now my own head is spinning.
for me, i've never embraced skirts or dresses as a kid because i recall how they seem uncomfortably itchy and ill-fitting due to my unusually larger bone mass. also how dresses made me feel somewhat weaker when tumbling with the boys in kindy. the physical freedom of shorts or jeans always made me feel like i could conquer the world. then there was the issue of shoes. my mom put me in mary janes or sandals which were flat and lovely for climbing, running etc.
then i got to work and i tried on these clompy pumps which sounded authoritative though you can't run for the train in them without risk of breakage to heel and own foot.
then i discovered doc marten's and the even more lovely clompy command which allowed broad strides and a devil-may-care swagger. paired with jeans and a comfy cotton shirt, it gave me the feeling of inexplicable 'rightness'.
i guess what we wear and how we wear it really is an extension of who we are. so despite the facade of manly/butchy demeanour i wear on my clothes, behind it i still feel like a natural woman. haha
point of entry: gender-bending can sometimes be nothing more than pragmatic comfort. it doesn't have to mean anything.