Is it bad that I agree with this?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Have you always been so, GD? You've never succumbed to stupid, even dangerous things in order to look good to someone else or because it was the hip thing to do/be/wear?

He answered your question before you asked it.

Originally Posted by GD

I for one never claimed to be such. All I said is that I'm well aware of the inevitable influences and do my best to work within them for my own benefit.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Have you always been so, GD? You've never succumbed to stupid, even dangerous things in order to look good to someone else or because it was the hip thing to do/be/wear?

Considering that my parents would not have bought it for me even if I wanted it, it was kind of a moot point growing up. But for the most part, no, I wasn't one to succomb to peer pressure. Sure I did the stupid thing here and there (I seem to recall one halloween that involved machettes, bb guns, and an m-80), but I never felt the need to do any of it. I wanted hypercolor shirts and Rebbok pumps, but I wasn't horribly devastated when I didn't get them.

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I'm pleased to see so many self-posessed and totally non-influenced people on these boards.

And that's the limiting factor in this discussion, isn't it? None of us are pathetic tools.

Otherwise, we wouldn't be here. Sure, we remember our childhoods, or can be reminded of them. Yes, we can hear about the unfortunates who are socialized zombies or SL's criminal clients. But we here (for the most part) have all developed our own personal styles, we are above-average in maturity and consciousness and awareness and willpower. We are swanky, for god's sake!


So we don't automatically go out and buy what's peddled to us on TV commercials, and we don't necessarily dress like the people we see in magazines. We may be aware of social norms like the proper facial expressions for listening to elevator muzak. But deeper down ... deeper than how we dress or groom ourselves or entertain ourselves ... how do we determine what we really want?

Here's where we maybe can empathize with social zombies who don't know how to dress themselves if they don't see it on TV. Because, as evolved and aware as we may be - - chances are we still determine what we want from what we see.




Just as an exercise ... take stock of the things you think you really want. And then determine if you want them because you have a unique, inner desire that stems from YOU - - or if you want them because it's something you've seen in the world (and if you hadn't seen it, you wouldn't have wanted it). You may be surprised at the results.


Humans covet. Even the swanky ones do.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Just as an exercise ... take stock of the things you think you really want. And then determine if you want them because you have a unique, inner desire that stems from YOU - - or if you want them because it's something you've seen in the world (and if you hadn't seen it, you wouldn't have wanted it). You may be surprised at the results.


Humans covet. Even the swanky ones do.

Oh God yes! I love fashion. I think it is both a wonderful daily creative expression for the wearer and a fascinating social commentary. I love seeing what "new" combinations of shapes and fabrics each season will present. But, I take that information and edit it for my own taste. I don't choose to wear every style and shape that out there just because it is popular. It has to fit my own personal style. But, I AM influenced by the current style makers and I readily copy the shapes of contemporary styles (I also copy the shapes of vintage styles as well).

I'm not inheriently super creative. I do a lot of copying with everything "creative" I do. I thank GOD there are really creative individuals in the world that I can be influenced by.

[Capt Jack]

is it too late to say Im sorry I brought it up?

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Capt Jack

is it too late to say Im sorry I brought it up?

Yes, but look at the lively discussion you generated

[blueerica]

Indeed... I guess that I just couldn't agree more with GD on it. Just because it's a 'societal shift' or whatever or however you might or might not look at it, what I disagree with is the assertion that one side or the other is 'wrong.' I don't go around toting what I said earlier... but I guess I wanted to say why I did it.

And for the record, I don't like thongs. I don't like the way the look on me. The feel, meh... doesn't bother me to wear them, but if they're unflattering, why would I?

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'd also like to add that I regard pointed and total rejection of "social norms" about the same as I regard total adherance to social norms. Either way, one is letting themselves be defined by those norms. I much prefer to take the middle road, i.e. take from social norms what works and is useful for me, and "rebel against them" when it works and is useful for me.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I'd also like to add that I regard pointed and total rejection of "social norms" about the same as I regard total adherance to social norms. Either way, one is letting themselves be defined by those norms. I much prefer to take the middle road, i.e. take from social norms what works and is useful for me, and "rebel against them" when it works and is useful for me.

Indeed, I think of this as "developing your own style"

[Not Afraid]

SL is most definitely NOT a woman. (Well, I've never really experienced his manhood in full flower, but I have seen enough tobe pretty damned sure, ) Maybe Chris can post some pics.

I think what bothers me about "this" brand of feminism is that there seems to be a patronizing attitude that I, as a women, can't take care of myself. Actually, I make my choices based on what I feel like doing and not what is fashionable nor what men "require".

I was raised on the "don't wear red lipstick because people will think you're a whore" school of thought (and it wasn't a man saying that to me, it was a woman) That obviously went over well with me. I go out of the house 90% of the time wearing nothing BUT red lipstick. And, if someone wants to think I'm a whore, then I hope they are entertained by that thought.

Same goes for a thong. It's MY choice to wear one and not one that's made by a man. If I feel sexy in my choice of clothing than that's a good thing for ME. If a man happens to think I'm hot as well, then that's an added bonus, but not a driving factor. I LIKE being sexy when I want to. It's good for my own confidence, self esteme and (ohh la la) libido.

If there were no men in the world (heaven forbid) I would probably do exactly the same things I do now. I'd just make the lesbians suffer.

PS: Low rise pants as fashion have come and gone through the years. Somewhere. there's a pic of be in white hip-hugger dittos.