What are your thoughts on feminists who like to wear makeup and like fashion (not necessarily mainstream)
This topic came up on a podcast I listen to which has a strong feminist flavour to it called Stuff your mom never told you. They were talking about the relationship through history with feminism and these industries and how people react to it today.
If you do wear makeup and have a certain style, do you feel you are looked down on by other feminists? What if you are anti makeup and fashion? Do you tell people they shouldnt buy into it?
I am really curious to see the responses here.
For the record - I wear makeup and I guess I am into fashion in a certain sense. I have my own style but I can be inspired by other peoples trends and "beauty habits". I wear stuff because I like it or because I think it looks cool. The only time I ever dress to impress is when I go on a date with my girlfriend. I am also very ecclectic in my tastes.
Well there is little wrong in just wanting to look nice. And while I am not aware of meeting feminists who look down on women for wearing make-up, I think part of critical thought involves critical analysis of our chosen behaviors.
While some men do wear make-up and doing so is acceptable, why in our society do we consider a woman more-so dressed to the nines, when she has make-up. Why do we have an expectation that women know (or should know) how to put on make up, when we do not have similar expectations of men? What does it say about our culture that so many women wear make-up, while so few men wear make-up.
I think within feminism many of the "feminist look and act like this" stereotypes (or requirements) have been broken down.
I certainly think that it is hard to escape a discussion about makeup and fashion without also having a discussion about sex.
While some may suggest these objectify women by placing emphasis on the body, I also see an argument that makeup and fashion allow women to own their sexual-ness. Part of women are are sexual beings, and highlighting these aspects is owning that part of oneself.
I think early attempts to counter the objectification of women were targeted at certain fashion items and makeup, but this while well intended, was really a band-aid fix. The culprit is not sexualization but the attitude that women are sexual objects for men. While the reverse was not true.
I do not think we are likely to get past seeing each other sexually. This is far too instinctive. But, that men looking upon women with desire is acceptable, while the reverse is less acceptable is the root of the problem. That women are expected to highlight themselves while men are expected to dignify themselves speaks volumes.
How much of what we find appealing is ingrained by culture? Why are different aspects emphasized for men and women? What does this incongruity say about our culture?