another thought

[seldear]

Semi-related to being hairy-legged feminists...

The gist was that I don't shave my legs and got a lot of "You must be a feminist" comments as a result. In truth, I am a feminist (according to my definition) and I never got into the habit of shaving my legs and have never been one to follow the crowd. Gee, can ya tell?

Several commenters in that thread noted that they felt that the essence of feminism was the right to shave or not-shave your legs as you pleased without being pressured into it by others' expectations.

Does that 'essence of feminism' include the right to dress more or less as one wishes - whether goth or Honky, Salvatore Ferragamo or ugg boot, scoop neck or high-collar, bare-headed or hijab-covered, in jeans or a skirt, one-piece or topless bathing, Vogue magazine or Target, and all degrees between - without being pressured into it by the expectations of others?

Obviously, there are situations where it might be worth your life or physical integrity to wear a bikini (say, in Middle Eastern countries), and one presumes that life and limb are, at that point, more important than the intellectual declaration that one may wear what one pleases, but other than such situations...does the concept of this aspect of feminism as 'the right to display my femininity within societally acceptable limits' extend that far in your mind?

And if not, where does it extend to in the matters of dress code?

Once again, I'm curious. It may be a failing o' mine. Possibly.

Comments

[marag.livejournal.com]

Well, I think women have the right to wear whatever we feel like within some basic limits. ::shrug:: If you (generic you) like miniskirts, go for it. Personally, they feel drafty to me.

I love dresses, especially long clingy ones that swirl around my legs. I don't care for skirts because they pinch my tummy, though.

I know feminists who don't wear dresses and ones who almost always do. Whatever floats your boat.

[angelsasha.livejournal.com]

The stereotypical image of a feminist as someone who is angry, who refuses to shave or wear "feminine" clothes seems a little stupid to me, it's missing the point.

I think that any woman who feels strong in herself and her gender should conduct her whole life as she sees fit, not as society expects her to. Whether that's to do with what she wears, whether she shaves, what she eats, what job she has, what her hobbies are, anything.

And the same goes for men too, so I don't limit it to feminism. It's about your own inner strength, your belief in yourself and conviction in your own beliefs.

I hope that makes sense, I didn't sleep great last night so I'm a bit bleary today :)

[stef94.livejournal.com]

To me, feminism is all about independence and equality. To make independent choices about your life, work, finances etc. with no reference to anyone else, unless you choose to do so for whatever reason.
That's what men do, and therefore I, as a woman, should be able to do the same.

IMO this also includes independent choices about what you wear/don't wear, shave/don't shave etc.
All within reason, of course.
Some level of conforming to your surroundigs may be a wise choice when it comes to your working environment, simply because it may seriously affect your chances of advancement.
Which may sound very discriminating, but the same goes for the non-conforming man.

So yeah, to me feminism is about independence and equality in all areas of life.

[lavidaessueno.livejournal.com]

I think, due to some stereotypes, leg-shaving and feminism have become inextricably linked in the minds of many. As far as I'm concerned, it's a personal issue. You wanna shave 'em, you shave 'em. You don't want to, you don't.

I also have a very dim view of caving to the ridiculous pressures the various industries put on women. Be a healthy weight, wear clothes that make you feel good and comfortable (and hell, sexy, if that's how you feel!), and who cares what anyone else thinks?

[alliesings.livejournal.com]

For some reason, as I read this, I was thinking of a strong Athosian warrior and the people who disparage her choices in dress ;)

[saramund.livejournal.com]

see, I agree with you -but my biggest problem is labels.

EG: Feminist. today, you say the word 'feminist' and I see Germaine Greer, who to me is a screaming WEIRDO.

HOwever, I do believe in what you've said above. AND I do believe that women should be allowed to do whatever it is they wish, within the confines of laws, health and self-preservation.

In the same way, I believe that if a man wants to open a door for me, I'll let him. It's POLITE, for crying out loud. It's not defaming or cripling my womanhood for him to hold open a damned door! (sorry, this is a HUGE thing for me - politeness giving way to 'oh God, don't want to get in trouble with the screaming scary woman')

I think the ideals of the feminist movement are great - and I tend to agree with them. But as always, the loudest and most heard people of any ideal are also the scariest - and this can be a rule for pretty much anything (feminism, facism, fundamentalism, extremeism... etc).

Did I answer your question? I got lost in my rant... *g*