You’re right. I hadn’t ever considered that. I’m actually dressing in a way that allows me optimum freedom of movement, perception and action, which happens to be close to optimal for self-defense, but you’re still right about it being a statement, and thus fashion.
I guess - literally thinking about this for the first time - what I’m signifying is that I do not care what other people think I should wear, I am signifying that my clothing desires and needs are not governed by social class or gender requirements, which is definitely bragging and taking advantage of privilege that everyone should have, but not everyone does. Although, up until just now, I was signifying this unconsciously.
My clothing isn’t obviously different from that of others. Well, maybe it is, I don’t know how observant others are. I should think about this more, it’s a new viewpoint, thank you.
Again, the only behavior that will ‘prevent’ sexual assault from happening is a major shift in our society:
From teaching our children at an early age that touching anyone without their permission is wrong, to not sending out subliminal messages that harassment and objectification are somehow “acceptable” via our entertainment media, to giving victims the benefit of the doubt when they come forward, instead of automatically putting all the blame on them, to actually holding sexual predators fully accountable for their crimes.
And even once all that comes to pass, there will be no ‘100% guaranteed’ preventative measures, but we have to start somewhere.
And I should give up cosplay, I guess, because those outfits certainly aren’t practical and we all know how much harassment goes on at cons. Oh, and I can’t sew Kevlar, so I have to stop making myself clothes, too.
No, seriously, I got so many weird comments on another site for this picture:
I was baffled. I hadn’t sexualized the costume at all. There’s no cleavage. I made the tunic longer than comic-book accurate. Finally a male friend told me that it made me look “extra busty”.
Even when we think we’re wearing something that’s not sexy, we get sexualized. Because we’re not necessarily the one making that decision.
