So I was at Target yesterday and I found a pair of heels that I WILL have on my next payday and that got me to thinking about my grasp on gender (because high heels are associated with women and I have shunned the high heel for most of my life, but I WANT these shoes!!!) and it brought up a thought that I've had for a while.  I do not associate things with gender.  I tried the shoes on because I liked them.  Things like clothing, makeup, sports, types of literature, music, etc.  Now, that isn't to say I don't know that things are associated with gender, but I just don't associate them.  For example, today I wore a skirt and a tank top, but I was feeling quite boyish.  The other night, I was wearing a rather frilly shirt with a lot of lace on it, capri pants, and beaded sandals and again, I felt very boyish.

It first occurred to me a few months ago.  I showed my pic to an androgyne person and they said, "that's a girl."  That statement sort of got under my skin a little and all I could say was, "well, that's my face."  I wear makeup, but then again, I used to hang out in places where EVERYONE wore makeup and it wasn't unusual to guys in skirts...this was at the local goth nights we used to have.  I loved that everyone did whatever they wanted and it was a very natural place for me.

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.  Basically, when I pick out clothes or put on makeup, I don't even think about gender.

Hey ghost girl!

I'm like that with some things. For instance, I think it's ridiculous that makeup is seen as just a female thing in our society, when makeup was commonplace for men as well in many cultures throughout history.
I don't really wear much on a regular basis, just mascara, but it doesn't make me feel feminine or anything.

With shoes, I prefer work boots which are really unisex though I wear men's but some in the women's section are cuter.

Now with bras - such a girly item anyway, it might as well be pretty. I love lacy or embroidered pastel colored bras.

With most clothing items, I don't really think about it and if they have cords in a color I can't get in the men's section (as is often the case), I'm not opposed to buying a pair in the women's. I love cords.

But skirts - never. Skirts or dresses just scream 'girl' to me. Can never feel comfortable in them.

I used to feel the same way about skirts, but a couple years ago I gave them a shot and I found that they can be quite comfortable...I should mention that I started wearing them AFTER I saw guys wearing them at the bar.    I guess that made it okay.  heh.

Actually, the one article of clothing that I absolutely HATE is shorts.  I HATE SHORTS!  I don't really know why...they just aren't comfortable and I don't like the way they look.  So instead of shorts, I wear capri pants or knee length skirts.  Actually, I think I tend to sit and walk in a more masculine way in a skirt...weird.

It is not what is on the outside that matter anyhow Jaimey. There is nothing wrong with picking and choosing from both areas, especially as being female bodied you can easily get away with it. There is nothing saying you have to completely mask all of your femininity.

If I had my choice I would shop both sections at the store, but I am not that brave (usually). Plus, I don't think it would go over well with clients.

I wear whatever I want except when I have a dress code at work, which I follow, if I have to, and most of the time I don't.  What good is working in rock and roll if you can't wear the best in women's clothes, just like the band?

Quote from: tekla on June 09, 2008, 12:48:34 AM
I wear whatever I want except when I have a dress code at work, which I follow, if I have to, and most of the time I don't.  What good is working in rock and roll if you can't wear the best in women's clothes, just like the band?

I'm jealous.
That doesn't work when you have to work in professional offices day in and day out. Not that what I wear constitutes standard business attire or even business casual, even then it is somewhat androgynous. It has been years since I owned a shirt with buttons.

Actually most pretty much ignore my clothes and focus on my hair, which is just below my waist. The older women seem especially fascinated by it. I can walk into an office without shaving for days, sweaty, looking like hell, anything, but my hair is always a source of problems for the older women. I could probably beat their grandchildren and still catch more hell for my hair.

Quote from: sd on June 09, 2008, 01:59:08 AM
I could probably beat their grandchildren and still catch more hell for my hair.

That made me giggle.  What a way to put it!  Totally made my day...heh.   Actually, both of my parents were dismayed when I got my hair cut short and then again when I straightened it.  To this day (it's been a few years, folks), I still have to hear about how pretty my hair was.  Yeah.  People get all uptight about hair.  Sometimes I just want to say, "Let it go, people!  It's just hair!!! " 

So I guess what I'm really asking is, do you associate gender with what you're wearing (or whatever you happen to be doing)?  (still not phrased quite right...hmm)  Or I guess, do you consciously consider gender?  ...words grr!!!!  *eh-hem*

For example, do you wear more feminine clothes when you feel more feminine? (and vice versa)  Like I said about makeup, I wear it because I like wearing it...the gender of it never occurred to me (although it probably would have if I'd been male bodied, but for different reasons).  I think I'm more curious about my obliviousness to gender.  Yeah, that's it!  (VICTORY!!! )

Are you oblivious to gender?  (and things that are associated with a binary gender)

wOOt.  I knew I'd get there eventually...  Thanks for taking that little trip with me. 

Quote from: Jaimey on June 09, 2008, 07:34:22 PM
So I guess what I'm really asking is, do you associate gender with what you're wearing (or whatever you happen to be doing)?  (still not phrased quite right...hmm)  Or I guess, do you consciously consider gender?  ...words grr!!!!  *eh-hem*

{cut}

Are you oblivious to gender?  (and things that are associated with a binary gender)

I think the simple answer is that I have always hated clothes shopping for myself. I hated it as a kid and I hate it still.
(I'll let you figure out how it fits your questions. )

I love to shop for clothes.  For me or for others.  Girls or boys.  DKNY or HSM.  Clothes are clothes, and shopping is shopping.

I rarely get excited about shopping for male clothing... I mostly just wear jeans and flannel shirts...

Now, buying skirts, that's way more fun, although it's been a long time since I bought a new one. If I can't wear them anywhere, what's the point? 

Z

I like skirts on guys, especially long, flowing skirts.  Also makeup with or without facial hair.  Eyeliner really suits a lot of men.

I don't really like to wear lacey bras much.  I tend to wear very plain women's briefs or just men's briefs, and it kind of bothers me that bras have to be all lacey and stuff.  I find myself thinking "hmm, don't like that much... maybe I'll look in the bloke's section... DOH!"  I much prefer sports bras, usually worn two at a time.  Recently I got hold of a tankini top which I lovelovelove--I'd NEVER wear something like that in the pool, but as underwear it's ace.

Quote from: tekla on June 09, 2008, 09:29:31 PM
I love to shop for clothes.  For me or for others.  Girls or boys.  DKNY or HSM.  Clothes are clothes, and shopping is shopping.

Pm me for my requirements and shipping addy, tekla!! You are welcome to shop for me and ship 'em right on out here!!

Nichole

Oh Nichole dear, you have to try them on first, LOL.  That's half the fun.  But I'm lucky to have a few friends who like to shop too who can give me that "not in a million years" look.

Quote from: Lokaeign on June 10, 2008, 09:52:09 AM
Eyeliner really suits a lot of men.

Doesn't it!  I love boys in eyeliner...