I just had this thought this afternoon, thought I'd share. This is in response to the multitude of posts about gender and behavior, construction of femininity, "passing," etc.
American Apparel is, like, the absolute embodiment of American girl femininity. It's everywhere, in weird perfection, from the people selling clothes (of various genders) to the people buying clothes to the clothes themselves. From the colors and silhouettes, to the folds and sheen, the lilting voices, the pointed critiques and effusive praise... For any of us who might subscribe to "passing" as this particular kind of feminine person, it would really help to just spend some time in an American Apparel. You'd be much intimidated at first, but if you just go with it you'll learn a lot really quickly.
Just for the record, I think gender is constructed, "passing" is a hegemonic concept, and corporate commercialism (whether made in downtown L.A. or not) is kind of dastardly. But I also think we all should be able to be who we want to be.
That's all!
