Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

How to Choose Clothes for Gender

One of my genderqueer friends is working on wardrobe choices currently. I rattled off a whole bunch of tips for choosing clothes to express your gender, and it occurred to me that more folks could use this information.


* For now, don't buy more than one of anything if you can help it. (Things like socks that come in packets, you may be stuck with.) Learn what works before you buy multiples. Then buy duplicates of whatever you love most, ideally in different colors, so you'll have it when it goes out of fashion. I can't count how many sets I've got of 2-3 shirts or pants with the same cut, different color.

* Test widely varied things. You may want to keep notes on your sizing, favorite brands, what works or doesn't in garment shape, etc. This includes fit, durability/performance, and how it makes you feel.  You might want to get measurements from a scanning booth.  

* Don't overlook clothing from different time periods or cultures. For some reason I feel far more comfortable in Renaissance Faire women's clothing than modern women's clothing. But if I were going steampunk I would probably want a frock coat.

* Don't keep wearing anything that is uncomfortable, gets in the way, or makes you feel icky. That's what thrift stores are for, someone else can use it. Also thrift stores are great for trying out a ton of different clothes; the stakes are lower for making mistakes if you are buying cheap old stuff. Whatever you like, you can later buy in a nicer version.

* Read a wide range of articles about color and design choices in clothing for women, men, or genderqueer folks. Sometimes they have little observations that you would never have thought of by yourself.

* Think about what your gender means *to you*. It's performative, not just declarative. Clothing is one of the best props for gender expression. It's easy to change per mood. There is absolutely nothing wrong with dressing butchy on Monday and femmy on Tuesday if that's your thing.
Tags: gender studies, how to, shopping
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  • 2 comments
kengr

kengr

May 31 2017, 05:25:08 UTC 4 years ago

>>There is absolutely nothing wrong with dressing butchy on Monday and femmy on Tuesday if that's your thing.<<

An old sig file that's stuck in my head went something like:

"Eenie, meenie, minie, moe.
Today I'll dress from *that* side of the closet"

Which is what I'd do if I was able to ignore the "attitude" that many people would give me.
ysabetwordsmith

Yes...

ysabetwordsmith

May 31 2017, 05:37:37 UTC 4 years ago

That's a perfectly good routine.

Some people are just assholes.