About my fashion choices...
So I was watching the Marie Antionette movie, I dislike parts of this movie but there is no denying how much a feast for the eyes it is. I have movies I watch for feelings, others for my morals -- and some of them are just for the pretty. This movie is of the last group.
Anyway, I squealed on my FB about how much I love it, the dresses that is. That yes, I want to wear them. Yeah really, I would wear them all the time, if I could afford it. Corsets, veils and all. I don't mind binding myself up and have that impracticably, I have done weirder (and more awkward) things for cosplay, though no one knows probably (like binding my boobs, which hurts a lot). I was promptly told that I was un-feminist and how could I want to take a step back from all womens hard work and want to dress like that? It's not a particularly new concept. Or the first time I have seen people jump that 'why would you call that great/want to emulate it when for various reasons, when it's horrible?' I have seen this said over other things that I do, like Steampunk. In that case 'why would you want to be like the era that was such a suppression of human emotions/ grueling work/ double standards/ general cruelty?'. In both these instances, I didn't answer the persons accusations, just thanked her for her thoughts, and said no more. I cannot speak for anyone else, but here at least is why I do.
Firstly and most importantly I don't see it as taking a step backwards like others do. Feminism is the right to be viewed as equal. Not lesser, or inferior simply because they don't act the same. It is my choice, a choice that those women don't have. I could wear slacks and a t-shirt and no one would care... and yes, I would wear the mans clothes as well because they are equally as pretty. The fact that I can choose means that I have rights, that I am not suppressed, I am making the choice and exercising my right. Women did not have the choice in that era. It was adhere to the rules of whatever or suffer the consequence, be discarded and left for dead, essentially. That is what Freedom is, it is the choice to live as you see fit. By wearing that dress I am not suddenly going to turn into a simpering woman that falls at every mans feet and scamper and hide. That will be a cold day in hell. Clothes don't mean anything in the end, beyond that more surface areas of the person, nothing more, nothing less. Anyone under that delusion that I am some weak woman only needs to speak to me for five minutes. Dressing a man in armor does not make him a Knight, likewise, because I dress in something fabulous and girly, does not make me misogynist. The final note on this is feminism is a political movement, not a fashion.
Next why I like it... actually its starts more with my need to cover up my skin. I am a pale that goes hand in hand with thin skin. Not just kinda lightish compared to others, I mean other pale people go 'come here, I wanna feel tanned', I used to get accused for wearing eyeshadow at school because the skin near my eyes is so very thin, its purple tinged from the blood and veins underneath. The technical term is Pre-Raphelite beauty, I think? I am pale and soft, I am not the biggest of girls, but I am certainly not lacking in curves.... also I need to cover up for my own health. I have sun spots and I am 19 for chrissakes, admittedly that is not entirely unheard of from people in Australia. People in hot countries always look older, why? Because of the sun. For my health I need to curse the sun and scuttle to the shade, wear things that cover up my legs and arms. But you know... find a nice dress that has long sleeves, long skirts and is still somewhat fashionable?
Second to that is, I need my mask for life the same as everyone else, and my vanity. I don't like Australian fashion because it forces me to show skin, expose me and I end up feeling like a great lumbering whale, stripped of all confidence, plus the joy of sunburn. Also, it neeeever suits me, the boob/ass problem. Sweet fucking God, designers, no one has coat hangers for shoulders, or the body of one! I am sure there is something out there, but it is but is always plaaaaaain thus far /whinebitch. I like to feel as a bauble, I can pull off those frills, those ridiculous hats, the poofy skirts and this isn't the time where I need to wear my corsets bone crushingly tight where others can't. It's not that I don't find modern fashion pretty, but its the reverse way people look at historical fashion, 'its nice, but I don't think I could pull it off', thats more or less I feel looking at it modern clothes. But with this... I have the mask which allows me to be in the spotlight, yet I am hidden away. My body, the bit I find awkward is a secret yet I am just as pretty. People talk about wearing a Queenly Mask, I do that. Only I love it every minute of it. I think it comes with being extrovert, I can balance. I can hide what I need, and I can feel fabulous, pretty and over the top. I have more or less decided, if you can't join 'em... do something totally different and be happier that way.
In short, I feel every bit the confident woman I have the choice to be.