"You`re considered superficial and silly if you are interested in fashion, but I think you can be substantial and still be interested in frivolity." - Sofia Coppola
"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." - Coco Chanel
I know that I am preaching to the choir here, for the most part, but I refuse to give in to the idea that if we want to be taken seriously, we should subdue, or at least pretend to subdue, our love of clothing and style.
I took issue with a recent comment (not on this blog) which implied that to have a style blog while writing about Zimbabwe was offensive: that by having this other interest and blogging about it, I was belittling the plight of Zimbabwe and its people and detracting from the impact of my novels and articles on the subject. As if people would look from the writing to the author, see that she was wearing a pretty dress and instantly disregard everything else. I understand, in a way. I do. I have an entire blog about the subject of vintage style, and clearly it is a big part of my life. I also blog about the writing process, and I am planning to expand this area, but I would hate to give up the vintage clothing aspect to my blog. I understand that someone might look at this and assume all sorts of things about my character. This comes with the territory. I do, however, want them to examine those assumptions and see if they are fair.
My whole life has been defined by my experiences in Zimbabwe, as have the lives of many of my family and friends, and all the other people, black and white, who lived and are living in Zimbabwe. We experienced a lot of tragedy; the country's as a whole and our own, personal tragedies that were caused by it. I think it will take an entire career's worth of writing to explore, express and try to understand the years I spent there. However. While this necessarily occupies a large part of my life, I also have hobbies that I enjoy. Among them are blogging, vintage clothing and style. I spend my days working on my novels, by myself, at home. This blog is an escape for me: an opportunity to indulge in other things I enjoy, and an opportunity to be part of a supportive and friendly community with similar interests.
Would people have the same negative reaction if I had a cooking blog, or a parenting blog, or a travel blog? Why is a style blog different? If I want to write about serious topics, am I therefore not allowed to have an interest in clothing? Or, if I want to have an interest in clothing, am I therefore banned from writing about serious topics? Why should they be mutually exclusive? Of course there are more important things in life than clothing, and we all know that. I know that. But one cannot be serious all the time. It is our hobbies and small pleasures in life that keep us sane.
This is just my story, of course. There are many other vintage and fashion bloggers out there who enjoy the same hobbies and, to a woman (or man), they are intelligent, strong, creative people with interests outside of their blog, successful careers, and lots of ambition and drive. I object to the assumption that an interest in fashion and clothing means that one is unintelligent or shallow. It is an art form like any other and a valid outlet for creativity, and I do not see anything wrong with that.
Linda Grant, whose book 'The Clothes on Their Backs' was shortlisted for the 2008 Booker, is a personal heroine of mine in this area: she has a blog, The Thoughtful Dresser, where she discusses clothing and its importance to identity, creativity and daily life. One of the quotes on her sidebar really resonated with me:
"The only true and lasting meaning of the struggle for life lies in the individual, in his modest peculiarities and his right to these peculiarities." - Vasily Grossman, Life and Fate.
Allow us our right to modest peculiarities.
I would love to know your thoughts on this. Do you meet with criticism or judgement for having an interest in fashion, or a fashion blog? How do you deal with it?
55 comments:
What a perfect post -- I get this all the time, especially from my dad who has always thought that if I showed any interest in fashion I must be turning into a shallow, vapid idiot. (Hopefully I've proved him wrong!)
It's really a shame that someone would assume that wearing heels and a fancy dress automatically disqualifies you from caring about anything important. Do they think the same thing about men who wear dapper suits and ties? I don't think so!
Hear, hear Andrea! I recently received an e-mail (which I've been contemplating how I can express into a blog post ever since), which read something along the lines of: ''with all your articles about improving the community, helping others and giving back, how do materialistic posts such as 'I'm wearing a blah blah dress from blah blah' fit in?'' It was interesting and fair question, but I wondered why it was such an issue - style and substance shouldn't be viewed as exclusive subjects, and I don't believe that just because you enjoy creating positive change, you can't court an interest in fashion, too.
Thank you for articulating something I think myself (and for putting it much better than I could!).
I love clothes and quite enjoy keeping an eye on fashion and trends, although I find myself doing it very surreptitiously in the hope that I'll still be taken seriously.
Good on you for defending our collective love of things sartorial!
I have no patience whatsoever for that sort of attitude. There is always horrific shit going on in the world. Knowing this, are we then never supposed to have a lighthearted moment again? It's not only aburd - it goes against human nature. And anybody who would read your blog and walk away from it with the idea that you are anything but a spectacular person is a fool anyway. Hmpf.
I know, I so know! I often feel bad about being interested in fashion when there are so many more important things to be concerned about, but I don't think I should, really. Here's what I wrote in my diary files at some point, on a similar conflict:
"It's the love of beauty that drives all these creative people. And why some of that beauty should be shallow and some deep, I cannot see. Why it should count as serious and respectable to seek beauty in words, or carefully orchestrated music, or oil paintings, or photography, but as shallow and stupid to seek it in clothing, or housing decoration, or even people's looks, I cannot see. "
Well, maybe that makes me shallow? ;)
Greetings,
poet
What a beautiful post.
I started reading your blog after you were linked by another fashion blogger. And while I have long since unsubscribed from her feed (only, for the record, because I needed to keep my RSS feeds under control!) - you've become a firm favourite.
I'd recommend this blog to anyone - not just for the fashion, and not just for the (much loved) tales of writing and life - but because this is one of those rare blogs that shows a whole, interesting person. Thank you for having us all along for the ride. :)
But isn't it shallow and close-minded in the first place to assume that only people wearing musty, moth-bitten sweaters with elbow patches on them are serious and have something important to say?
One of the most important roles clothing has, besides its initial purpose of shielding us from the elements, is an outlet for creativity and expression like you say. It is a necessary tool for the individual.
Kate - very good point! And I get that assumption as well from some family members.
Corrine - exactly! It is an interesting question. You can't have depths without surfaces, however (I think). Our outward appearance is what the world sees first, and as such shouldn't be discounted as worthless, whatever you choose to do with it.
Iris - thanks! And I completely understand that feeling of wanting to self-deprecate or only enjoy it surreptitiously. I feel like that too sometimes.
Megan - that is true - we need the frivolous and fun things to keep us going in the tough times. As they found in WWII, in fact, when women were asked to wear makeup ('put their best face forward') in order to keep up morale!
And thank you. :)
Poet - I completely agree with those sentiments.
Roslyn - thank you so much, that's very kind. I really appreciate it.
Reilly - that's a very good point, and hadn't occurred to me. Either way, you're making a judgement based on outward appearance.
Unlike animals, we can choose our fur! So why not choose 'fur' that makes you happy?
I think we all do this style blog thing for our own personal reasons. For me, it was a way to combat some real negativity I was subjected to when I was much younger. It's a way for me to branch out without inhibition knowing that I am not a classic beauty or model like. While clothing is frivolous and there ARE more important things to worry about; we all need a little time to just converse about the silly things in life. Otherwise, the world would truly be a sad place in which even the smallest of thoughts could never be uttered because they don't match up to the seriousness and urgency of: Global warming, poverty, the sex trade, gang warfare, genocide, etc.
I think you should be very proud of who you are and what you're doing here. You've never come across as inappropriate or disrespectful and I would think that a fellow countryman/woman would be proud of that. If anything, I think you rather make the reader curious as to what Zimbabwe's all about and why you feel so passionate about towards her.
Great thoughts. I too have faced this sort of judgment. I've had numerous people from church talk to me either directly or indirectly about my love for clothing and style. {A false idol!} Little do they know my vintage blouse isn't from Anthropologie, it's from Goodwill and I paid $2.00 for it.
The comments never bother me because my life isn't centered around clothing. However, the clothing does enhance my existence. I feel that the statement I make by the threads on my back should be a direct reflection of my personality. My personality doesn't scream baggy, factory outlet jeans and any old wadded up t-shirt and flip-flops.
And a message to your adversary; I would show them the statistics and scientific findings of students performing better in standardized tests when they 'dress for success.' I feel 100% more secure about my sense of self when I look put together.
My great grandmother May used to say, "Pretty is as pretty does." Meaning-if you look nice-you'll be more apt to act gentile and ladylike. My grandma was old school, she was born in 1900. She was intelligent and forever dressed to impress. Her life wasn't frivality and fluff. She was thoughtful, kind and loving. But she commanded respect from others by showing respect for her own appearance. It is my desire so do. If that makes me shallow hal-so be it!
I get looks when I go to the university dressed up because they think that students should live in jeans and hoodies, and while I do have those in my wardrobe it makes me smile to wear something nice.
I think that the judgement needs to end... and that people should be allowed to wear what they want. Up to a certain degree, jeans to a wedding and bermuda shorts to a funeral I have seen and will never understand.
Anyway, I'm trying to say here here
What a completely stupid comment for someone to make!?
I like your blog just how it is. Both parts of your personality are equally interesting. And valid. :) It's not up to someone else to tell you what your hobbies ought to be! :/
It may have already been said here but if you dress the part , you will feel the part. I fell on your blog by accident looking for Mukavudzi Woodlands a few months ago and have been following your blog ever since. I do not read everyday to see what you are wearing eachday but your pictures are really pretty. I stay in my pjamas all day every day as I am suppossed to be sick. I feel like shit because I am in my pjammas. I dress occasionly having started to buy clothes for myself again. I had stopped as my weight balooned. Even though I am not the size 10 I was still looking nice makes me feel good about myself. I have become interested in fashion again a love I did have but abandoned for many reasons. How misreble I was and how happy to feel alive again because of the world of Fashion. Thank you for helping me feel a little bit happy again. Fashion is better than no fashion.
I couldn't agree more to what was said here. ;D
April
Stories from a Teenage Mom
Mom on the Run
Chronicles of a Hermit
100% agreed- thank you for articulating what was wandering around in my subconcious, waiting to be expressed (lol).
One thing to add- we do not need the validation of closed-minded people. Unfortunetly, we are a judging species as a whole. Some judge on skin color, some on gender, so on and so on. Appearances are also judged. The thing is, when someone expresses that 'oh you're overly dressed up' or that 'you spent a lot of money on those clothes' I think it is more that they feel intimidated and perhaps secretly envious. As we all know, you can look like a million dollars in a $10 outfit. Aconfident attitude and impeccable taste- that IS intimidating.
Sorry to hear that you had such a negative comment on your amazing blog. What I find ridiculous is the idea that, as people, we are that one-dimensional. That by writing about Zimbabwe you couldn't possibly have a rich life of varied passions, all of which add together to a complete person. Myself, I write theatre plays, I write a fashion blog, and I work in the press team of a children's charity. I don't think any one of those things solely "defines" me - in fact, the notion of "defining" human beings is limiting and damaging. In summary - that poster was belittling you as a person from Zimbabwe by their reductionist comment.
i suppose i don't meet with much criticism due to the fashion blog, but i also do not blog publicly about my other endeavors (i have a friends only livejournal for those things). but i also feel that if i so choose, i should be able to have a very public blog about the work that i do in the non-profit industry in America and not be looked upon as a flake or whathaveyou just because i also have a strong interest in fashion. the author you pointed out, Linda Grant, says it has much more to do with identity, and i wholeheartedly agree with that. this is who i am. when i'm at home, minding my own business, fashion becomes one of my creative outlets. it brings me joy and gets my juices going, as does playing the piano and writing songs. i think being a multifaceted human being is a treasure. i don't know a single person who doesn't surprise in some aspect or another (by their interests, talents, etc.), so why shouldn't it be any different with fashion bloggers? and with that i say BOOMPS!
I admire all of you that put up pictures of yourself, and think you are all incredibly brave! Yet why should this be brave, what am I obviously fearing here that keeps me from doing the same? I guess it would be negativity, unwanted attention, the fact that I am publically unveiling myself - this is my blog, these are my words, this is my name, this is my face... It is truly terrifying for me to be that open. This is why I admire you all so much! I guess I am scared of failing my dream - I have declared online that I will write a book and try and make it as an author, and if I fail I publically fail... Maybe I am a bit of a coward at heart. And also working full-time, I don't think I want my office to know my dreams (hence pseudonym!)... not yet anyway. ;)
As to your question (sorry for meandering) I don't think having a style blog belittles anything else a blogger wants to say. It draws more people in, and I think it actually gives credance to your words - there you are, writing them - you are not hiding. And more to the point it is very inspiring - I do wonder if one day I will be brave enough to do the same. Viva style blogs!
Thanks for the shout-out, A. You already know how I feel about this, obviously, but I loved reading everyone else's responses!
I am sure you heard this before but
as my mom always said
"The people who say bad things about you are usually jealous"
The people who really didn't like you don't say anything but the ones who are jealous flap at the gums to distract from their own insecurity. They are jealous you can look good, be smart and get published.
And another bit of wisdom from a sugar packet I once had may help.
Never feel the need to explain, your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe it.
(mind you I explain all the time)
I personally am anxious to read your book and I hope there is an author photo of you dressed up on it so I can reference it while I read so as to picture you talking.
I think that making a beautiful life is a very important task. Whether you find beauty in fashion, horticulture, painting, music, etc, a human being has the right to make her life as beautiful as she wants it to be. I praise and admire the people who incorporate beauty into their everyday lives.
It's important, first, to cultivate one's mind and thinking. I do this by reading, following current events, writing, and engaging in dialogue with friends. It's also important to care about others and stand for causes that you find important. Afterall, a beautiful, empty shell becomes pretty dull after a bit. But if you take responsibility for your inner development, and consider yourself more than just an ornament, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a love for fasion, hair, jewelry, whatever!
I think the world would be pretty sad if there were no people who tended to making things beautiful.
Actually, the ability to appreciate beauty is a quality that philosophers have praised in human beings for centuries.
Very well said....we all have serious things and issues in our life, but like you said we have our hobbies too and we do those things to put smiles on our faces and take away from any bad, sad part of our lives..it's a piece of us,but not the whole package...you don't have to compromise your life or fear having less of an impact because you have things that make you happy. We are allowed to be happy in this life, despite seriously awful things that have happened to us...so keep doing what you're doing, because we all enjoy it! End of my rant..:)
You are so right. I always say on my blog that I consider fashion to be just another of many creative pursuits. I find that creative people are usually attentive to style as it's just another way to express themselves.
It will be interesting to see what happens for your blog as the publicity for your book begins, you may find yourself defending this topic again...
I am putting the Vasily Grossman quote in my journal so as to remind myself that my interest in charm bracelets or whatever is as fundamental to who as I am as what I read, write, or love.
I was winging to Igor about how much I hate writing about the seemingly shallow side of me( clothes, skincare, Botox, hair,etc) and he said, you cannot sacrifice any of yourself to the page. You have to bring it all---there is no escape from who you are." Since there is no escape I am going to show up to the page in red shoes.;-)
xoxo
Yes! I love this!
Ironically, it's horribly superficial of people judging us by our interest in fashion! Don't you think? It's also a bit sexist because the men (ahem, boys) I know who are "fashionable" NEVER get that sort of response. When a man is well-dressed and shows interest in clothing and his appearance he's far less likely to be called vain and air-headed, stupid for loving it.
I'm in an art school and so there are lots and lots of deliciously creative people, easily accepting others. YET because I'm in Fine Arts and NOT fashion/textile they think that I don't belong there! Though what mostly pisses me off is that more and more people I come across seem to think I'm really STUPID and inane. Sure, I tend to dwell on animals (mostly talking about their amazing fur! XD), cuteness and with that I also have this cutesy and sort of fashionable look. It's no denying I have a great interest in clothes (I have friends I've known for years but have never seen me in things twice for instance XD) but next to that (and it took me a mighty long time to even DARE saying this!) I am really intelligent, damn it! I'm quite a lot more intelligent than most of my peers. I have a really substantial knowledge of all sorts of arts and am a die hard book worm. Damn it, I AM SMART! And why should I hide this because it does not answer the stereotype of girls interested in clothes? All these hippie girls in my school look down on me for it and think I have nothing worthwhile saying while I am constantly able to correct them in their political views, art knowledge etc.
To me, a really worthwhile person has myriads of interests and quirks and personality traits! Why the hell should there only be ONE side to a person exactly? Can't we be as intelligent as inane in our daily life? Gah! People piss me off sometimes!
Ah sorry! I am just so frustrated being back in this weird environment that's as wonderful as it is poisonous to me! ARGH XD
I can completely agree with your many points made in your post. There seems to be a general sterotype that if you take care of your appearance, enjoy dressing nice, and exploring fashion then you must not be a very intelligent person, and are very conceited as well.. I unfortunately was part of this stereotype as well, especially in college. I never once dared to dress up or try new styles or trends because I did not want to over-assert myself in my major - which happened to be quite male dominated. If I were to come in dressed up, or wearing even something as simple as a skirt instead of jeans, I would have stuck out like a sore thumb.
Over the years though since then, I have become more confident in myself, take more care of my appearance, and try new styles. Happily, I have found that in my field of work now, a medical office, I am actually respected for dressing nicer and trying new styles. Your blog has also been a source of inspiration to expand my horizons and welcome new ideas that before I would have stayed away from.
It is funny how thing change so quickly. Thanks for you great post, you had a lot of insight in the issue.
I get these criticisms too: writing about fashion is actually my job, so yes, I do spend a lot of time thinking about it, but hey, we all have to make a living somehow, and as you say, an interest in fashion doesn't mean you're not capable of intelligent thought! People who work in offices, or banks, or fix cars for a living, or whatever don't tend to be berrated because they're not out there solving the world's problems, so I'm at a loss to understand why those of us who enjoy fashion should be treated any differently.
I'd also be very surprised if the people who feel that your writing about Zimbabwe preculudes you from having any other interests go through THEIR lives thinking only deep, serious thoughts either. I bet they sometimes watch TV or do some other "frivolous" thing too!
This was a very interesting read.
People immediately label you on the impression they get and as my Accounting teacher use to say..." there's no second chance to make a first good impression".
How can looking well put together make a bad impression ? I ask.
You can be smart, you can have a good sense of humor, you can have a good job, you can dress well...
When some people get this sense that you "could have it all" they immediately try and find flaws...
I think we need to keep those people off our lives.
Personally I think it's ridiculous when someone can rant on about complicated world issues but then can't even figure out how long their pants ought to be or what color socks to wear. Creative people tend to be creative in lots of areas, so to me writing and style are part of a very logical portfolio of talents.
I'm shocked that someone made that comment about your blog, but unfortunately it's an argument I've heard before. I've never been able to understand people who think an interest in style automatically means that you are a shallow or flippant human being. After all (unless one lives in a nudist colony) we all have to get dressed every day. Furthermore, our clothing is an extremely important form of non-verbal communication. Why wouldn't someone who is intelligent and interested in expressing different ideas (which, as a writer, you obviously are) take a keen interest in their sartorial vocabulary?
You have obviously done a great job with both your writing career and this blog. One of the things I love about reading style blogs is that I often learn about more than just a blogger's wardrobe -- I learn about their favorite artists, their background, what inspires them, what helps them be creative... Your blog is certainly a great example of a style blog I'm glad I found because it's helped enrich and widen my perspective of the world.
I have been following your blog for about a year now and this is what I can say about you on the basis of your writing: you are anything BUT unintelligent or shallow. In fact, in my opinion you are a true master of combining fashion with intelligent topics. And I admire you for that.
What a great post. When I started university after having spent two gap years while modeling, I'd always lie to my professors about what I had done earlier. "Err... I did some traveling" was my standard response, because I was embarrased to try to seem intelligent with my fashion-related background. Back then I had low self-esteem, and it didn't take more than one fellow student's comment ("I thought all models were stupid") to try to hide my past.
These days I couldn't care less if someone thought I was stupid just because I did modeling ten years ago or because I have a style blog. It annoyes me, though, because people have accused me of parading my life in public in hopes of shallow recognition, among other things. The easiest response would be "mind your own business", but more often than I'd like to admit I wonder whether I should be writing about "serious" things instead. The fact is, though, I could be wearing rags and not take care of my appearance, and the world would not be any better because of it. I think this whole issue has a lot to do with Western society's high-horse preoccupation with making the world a better place, ironically, IN APPEARANCE. We want to SEE ourselves do good, be good and appreciate the "right" values, and to promote those things elsewhere. What it often is in reality is just empty words and a bunch of hypocricy. I guess for me, the knowledge of that is the only thing that allows me to turn away from my critics and not care.
Oh Andrea - you expressed this so well. Seriously - you are a very talented young lady.Comments such as that are unfair and completely unfounded.
Everyone has the right to a little frivolity, a little fun, especially in combat to dealing with serious and dark issues.
We must be able to let ourselves escape. To have a creative outlet. I feel this is especially true of females. Because we soak up pain, we let it in, and if we are not careful it can consume us.
You spend so much of your time in a place that is full of memories, pain, suffering. You need to have something that is just goodness, fun, light.
This is one of the reasons I blog. I need frivolity in my life. Because I am constantly dealing with serious family issues (some of which you know) and I need escape.
Thank you for writing this. You are nothing short of amazing, and don't ever let comments like this make you question the validity of something that is yours, and yours alone.
x
One of our greatest contemporary (now deceased) spiritual leaders, the originator of the Shambhala line of Buddhism, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, speaks to this.
He wrote that the West has gotten too informal and that it is degrading to the human spirit.
He believed that we must dress up to show our respect for ourselves, for others, and for the work we do.
You already said it all, and in the best way, to tell you the truth: anything that I could write would be just a repetition.
But, if I can add my opinion:
is a person interested in visual arts - sculpture, painting, modern or classic, whatever - considered superficial, or vain?
Usually not. He, or she, would be probably seen as cultured, distinguished. Who would tell an expert in Caravaggio's artworks that he/she is light-headed?
But, actually - art is not useful. It doesn't help people fighting inequalities or poverty, it doesn't alleviate pain, unless we are broadly speaking.
The one and only usefulness of art is in its beauty - and we can only admire it in places intended to be devoted to arts!
Fashion, elegance, well-dressing and color-matching, for me is very similar to a form of art: it's true, it moves around, instead of being stuck into a picture frame.
Some form of fashion is actually considered art. Ancient dresses are exhibited as works of art during art shows. Some dresses made, by themselves, their owner legendary - think about Madonna's corset.
Clothes inspired architecture, desing and art (think about Mucha or the Arts and Crafts movement) during the Belle Epoque.
An elegant, beautiful women is a pleasure to see; she can rise people's mood up - remember, the WWII "Keep your best face forward"? - as much as a Rembrandt or Gaudì's architecture can do.
The only difference is, you can see a well-dressed woman easier than a Rembrandt!
...
Ok, this is quite an incoherent post.
I hope you understand what I meant, anyway.
Beautifully said! I am interested in fashion and beauty (I am a member of a few beauty forums, as well as a follower of several style blogs). I cop flak for it at times. Mostly gentle ribbing from the men of the house, but sometimes harsher remarks from others.
My attitude is that I am no less intelligent, informed and articulate because of my interest in these things than if my interest lay in the area of sport, online gaming, crocheting or any other hobby that took my fancy.
To each their own.
And those who make such remarks, in a serious manner,clearly have a narrower view of the world, and those in it,than those who write/read the blogs.
this is such an interesting discussion I had to chime in!
As someone who blogs semi-anonymously (although this is very quickly changing) I always worry about how much "me" reality I should give to my blog. Sure, it's me writing everything but when does it become too personal? I haven't really thought about the fundamental reasons I started my blog this way but the more I think about it the more I realize this has to have at least a little to do with outside judgment.
The funny thing is the reason I am drawn to your blog specifically and follow it so closely is due in part to the range of your posts. You are a young, lovely intelligent woman, a fantastic writer, a fabulous dresser and you prove that one person can be all of these things. and why shouldn't we be allowed to?!
Let's be honest, our blogs (in most cases I should think) are just little off-shoots of the complete picture of "us" as individuals. That's not to say they aren't important and worthy of the hours we give to them - but they do not define us.
Anyway, these quotes are definitely being added to my arsenal against those silly creatures that just don't get it. having quotes is always a helpful rebuttal.
Hmmm. I agree with all the above comments. Fashion is a blimmin tricky issue for social-issues inclined thinkers, though.
Fashion is a perfectly valid outlet for creativity, having fun and feeling good about yourself. People make judgments based on appearance, and it is great to express your personality through your personal style.
However, the way that you dress is also based on who it is that you're trying to impress, and people from different backgrounds and subcultures can see the same person and interpret their appearance in very different ways. I have always moved between groups, so I am very conscious of this. I dress a certain way if I want to be identified as a reasonably intelligent young professional. If I want to hang out in the alternative crowd (artists, bohemians, thinkers, try-hard revolutionaries and other interesting social misfits) and meet new people, I will dress differently again. If I want to get involved in social action/volunteering/helping out those at the bottom of the heap, I dress differently still, so that at a glance they can identify me as someone who is likely to be trustworthy and understanding.
As much as we think that we shouldn't judge based on appearance, we all do it. It's part of being human. There are still particular clothing and hair styles that I associate with the shallow, bitchy girls from high school, and more often than not I find that style to be a pretty good guide. The way we dress is how we find others 'like me'.
Also, fashion can be misused as a tool for social exclusion. This also often begins in high school, and I know many people who have been so abused in this way that they self select and avoid people who are dressed fashionably, because they assume that they aren't good enough to hang out with them. The other way they self select is by turning goth/punk/hippie/emo/etc to send the 'screw you! I don't care what you think of me anyway.' message.
I won't go into the dirty fashion industry issues here (sweatshop labour, nasty chemicals, models w eating disorders, marketing, consumerism, waste, self-esteem, social pressure, emotional ploys to get women to buy buy buy...), but when you add it all up there's a helluva lot to think about.
I suggest that whoever wrote the nasty comment is simply from a different subculture, and hasn't thought too hard about it.
PS - I like fashion, and I think you're awesome.
PPS - sorry my comment is so long.
Try being a mother and having an interest in style - then you'll really cop the ridiculous accusations! Meanwhile my dad, bless his heart, is always telling me that I'm such a good writer that I should do something with my writing - my poor old blog in his view being a terribly frivolous waste of my energy. No matter that it's about all I have the time or energy for, and that it brings me a little bit of joy and some nice conversations. It's the old 'women's work" thing I think, he feels the same way about the fact that I stay home looking after my child and for now that's my work and greatly satisfying for me.
For some reasons these things are not seen as honourable pursuits, although they seem just as valid to me as my cousin's poetry or my brother's artwork, or my sister's documentaries.
Hi Andrea, this is Andrea :) Just found your blog. You're too cute! Love your style, looking forward to more posts!
Penny - thank you, that really means a lot to me. And I have similar reasons for getting into style blogging - I was they 'ugly' girl in my class until I was fifteen, and was bullied at school. This blog has made a huge difference to my confidence.
Ashley - the religious aspect is interesting! I had a Christian friend who frequently accused me of being shallow - not that all Christians subscribe to this way of thinking by any means, but it is interesting that a love of fashion can be interpreted in a religious way.
My grandmother and great-grandmother are lovely, stylish ladies too - we're lucky to have these people in our lives, aren't we?
Angel - hear, hear right back! :)
Holly - thank you! :)
Jenilou - I've left a comment on your blog, but I just want to say thank you again for sharing your story.
Bayson - :)
Meli22 - I think that is sometimes the case, yes.
Bella di Nonna - I completely agree! It is unrealistic to expect someone to be one-sided, or serious all the time.
Eednic - hear, hear! It would be interesting to see what sort of judgements you met with if you had a combined fashion and non-profit-work blog - I wonder what people would make of that?
Jayne - that's an interesting point - and I do think that blogs where the author shares their face make them even more vulnerable to these sorts of judgements, because there's nowhere to hide.
Interesting post and responses.
Andrea, your post got me thinking about this topic, and inspired today's post on my blog.
http://clothesinteralia.blogspot.com/2009/09/fashion-as-art.html
This same subject got brought up recently when I was interviewed. I think everyone's answer is going to be dependent on their own viewpoint of fashion. I like to think of it as wearable art. You wouldn't look at a painting and call it vain to think it aesthetically appealing. So why does putting thought into how you present yourself have to be?
Love Grace.
Great post - and so much wonderful stuff said in the comments. I have to say most of what I would have said has been said much more eloquently than I could have put it and I whole heatedly agree with the view point that just because someone is showing an interest in fashion and puts effort into the way the look does not make them shallow and devalue anything else they do.
Interesting that so many here had grandmothers who influenced them. I too had one who instilled in me a love of fine things and lovely clothes. She also had a lot to say on politics and social issues. Definitely not a shallow person!
Makes me think whomever made this comment to you had not the right influences in their life.
I am a little late to the party having only just caught up with this entry . At the end of the day it is Your blog for you to post contend that interests you . Your background makes no difference to the fact you are interested in fashion or where such info is posted . If I ever get around to doing a blog entry on Military History or such like some may think it is strange that such a topic could be found in the same place as Netball rants .
Well, I'm late to the party, but I had to post because I struggle with this a lot, too. On the one hand, I'm a professional woman who plans on being a serious attorney in my work life and possibly a judge someday. I know it's possible to be both serious about our judicial system and to have frivilous fantasies of gorgeous dresses and ruffled shoes in my free time, but some people can't distinguish the two. Why is it that it's okay for a man to drive a shiny red sportscar to work and wear his $200 watch in a meeting with clients, but it's inappropriate for a woman to wear her beautiful purple suede flats. It is a double standard, in my opinion. Men can golf and talk sports and cars on company time, but if women talk fashion, WE are such silly little creatures. I think part of it is being afraid to show feminimity in professional fields. Anyways, great thought provoking post!
Sal - you're welcome, and thank you for sparking the debate!
Hillary - I think that can sometimes be the case, yes. And thanks - there'll definitely be some kind of author photo! :)
Jo - I completely agree with you.
Cathi - hear, hear!
Shay - it does seem that people who are creative in one area see it spilling over into other aspects of their lives. And yes, I feel very apprehensive about that - it seems that, out of all the things I hold to be important in life and in my work, this seems a minor one to have to defend to people. But I do imagine that I will have to.
La Belette - what a great way of putting it! I too will show up to the page in red shoes. To unashamedly paraphrase C.S. Lewis - we should bring what IS in us, not what OUGHT to be in us.
Eline - I'm sorry that you're on the receiving end of so much of this prejudice. I agree that there is a definite sexist element to it.
Mallory - congratulations on embracing your style! And I'm so glad that you find inspiration here.
Forever Amber - that's an excellent point! I sometimes wonder if people would berate me for not constantly thinking about serious issues if my hobby was something like coin collecting or carving small wooden bears.
Lorena - I do agree that the 'tall poppy' syndrome has something to do with it at times, and that can be toxic.
Audi - this made me laugh out loud! And yes, it makes sense to me as well that someone who is creative in one area will be creative in others. This particular blogging community is evidence of that.
Catherine - thank you very much for your kind words, and you articulate some excellent points very well. I too like to see all the aspects of someone's life through their blog, to get a sense of the whole person - and, conversely, I love to have a glimpse into the wardrobes of people I know through quite different channels, like authors or directors who I admire!
Biba - thank you, that means a lot to me.
The Waves - you have even more reason to rant about this topic! It sounds like you've been on the receiving end of a lot of these preconceived ideas. You raise a very interesting point about our culture's emphasis on appearance, which Kelly raises in a later comment on this thread. And I have always been struck by the intelligence of your outfits - the way that you construct them seems very cerebral to me, and I really respond to that.
Laurel - thank you so much - and you're right, we need an escape from pain, otherwise it can consume us.
Christine - thank you for sharing that - it's something I feel, as well, and I'm so glad that it has been articulated by some very un-shallow people.
Jen - you expressed this very well, and it is an excellent point.
Rosie - hear, hear! :) I'm glad to hear that you are so strong in the face of criticism.
Hi, Andrea! I have to admit I don't stop by your blog too often (I'm a fellow and my interest in fashion is pretty limited), but I must agree with your post wholeheartedly. I see nothing antithetical in being interested in vintage fashion and writing about Zimbabwe. Nor do I think being interested in vintage fashion is shallow or vain. All of us have things in which we are interested and not all of those things are dead serious. I know that there are some who probably think my interest in pop culture is frivolous.
Anyway, I also have to say that I think in some ways an interest in vintage fashion is actually a sign of intelligence. Most everyone I know who is into vintage fashion is intelligent and not only interested in vintage fashion, but the history and the attitudes of that time. Indeed, I think the fashion of an era does reflect the attitudes of the time. Just look at the Sixties. It was the time of the Sexual Revolution and the fashions reflected this--miniskirts, boots, et. al. Anyhow, I'm getting off topic now.
Great post!
Reckless Daughter - thanks so much for your kind comments - and I do agree with you that blogs are just a part of their writer rather than the whole picture. You should never take one action or belief and define a whole person based on that!
Kelly - I do see your point (although I don't agree that the way someone dresses is always aimed at impressing someone else - finding people with the same interest isn't the same as trying to impress them). It is a complex issue, and there are a million subcultures, each with their own way of dressing. I have belonged to a few of the ones you mentioned, at different times! :) The comment made on my perceived shallowness wasn't nasty, as such - it was just someone, as you've said, who looked at my interest in clothing and interpreted it a certain way. I guess what I'm trying to do here is agree with you, but with the qualifier that while I understand their point of view, I have the right to try and explain mine to them as well. I know you weren't saying that I didn't, but I suppose I'm saying that we don't have to just accept the label that comes with dressing a certain way. At least, not without a fight!
(I think you're awesome, too). :)
Skye - it does seem silly to have these labels on activities we enjoy, or that give us satisfaction. The 'women's work' thing is an interesting point. A few other commenters have linked people's perception of women interested in fashion to a sexist attitude - it's 'girlie' and therefore frivolous.
Andrea - thanks! :)
Post a Comment