With the new Trump administration there seems to be a general trend in the direction of old-fashioned gender stereotypes and clothing, which seems to me to be a frustratingly limited version of what a “woman” looks like. Is there a way to use clothing to rebel against this unspoken dress code, even in a fairly conservative working environment? – Renee, Emeryville, Calif.
It is true that the new administration seems to have a number of very specific ideas with regard to clothing and gender. Those who have to deal with classical clichés of masculinity and femininity. At their utmost, they take the form of an executive order about gender definitions, but they are also expressed in aesthetics and choices about clothing and beauty. When it comes to women, it seems to mean high heels, long hair and lush eyelash extensions.
It is also true that it seems increasing that leaders of large public companies, including technology, finance and fashion, are in line behind those more retrograde ideas. Whether that is translated into real clothing codes is another matter, but ‘fitting’, the current word of choice with regard to wardrobe and the workplace, is fairly open to interpretation.
That said, dress has been a form of rebellion against almost any form of norm, including gender, since Joan or ARC attracted a male armor in the 15th century. Just as one of the ways to demonstrate like -minded, is to see the part, one of the ways to prove deviation from the group, is to look different from the group. There is a reason why the term “fashion statement” exists.
What that means depends on the group in which you are. If that sounds vague, it must be so. The attributes of protest, if they are not obvious (such as a sign on your forehead), are subjective and exist both in the spirit of the person wearing the garment and in the eye of the viewer. A protest clothing that stands out at work can be completely illegible for people on the street.
You have to decide how far you want to make your point. How much do you want it to be the focus of the conversation? And for whom is it real?
For example, if your dress is for internal satisfaction – if it is an expression of your own feeling of gender and what it means for you – just wear what you feel most about yourself and you remind you of your own faith system is the answer. If the point you want to make, is about old sex standards, it simply cannot be enough not to buy in it.
Perhaps that means wearing thick boots with a large tread instead of stilettos. Maybe it means a concert -t -shirt under a packing jacket. Maybe it’s just a few customized dark denim jeans and a fresh button-up shirt with French cuff and cuff links. Maybe the code switch refuses.
However, if you want to continue, and you do not want what you are wearing to become the dominant subject of conversation when you walk into a room, there is a simple way to make a form of protest from a fashion choice. Create a uniform for yourself that stands out, simply because it is different from the uniform of the majority. (To be honest, this is one of high school lessons.)
Wear a piece of clothing consistently, and at some point everyone should get the message. Whether they are aware of this or not.
Your style questions, answered
Every week on Open Thread, Vanessa answers the fashion-related question from a reader, who you can send her at any time via E -Mail or Twitter. Questions are edited and condensed.
