My sister said to me the other day " I haven't seen you dress like a woman in a while". I suppose I had become a bit obsessed with JW Anderson's androgynous fashions. Then when spring brought floral two piece suits and floods of cigarette trousers stormed the shops, it was all I bought! In a way I find it easier to get away with a shirt and trousers. Yes, I have slowly become a trouser girl!
A habit I am ashamed to admit, after all I love the 1950s. Everything about accentuating the waist and the female figure is flattering and attractive.
Yet, there's something empowering about a trouser suit, again i'm ashamed to admit to this. After all, suits were a designed for the male figure. Whilst feeling feminine and girly can often be less satisfying. Perhaps then, I am implying that women are not yet equal to men, but dress more masculine in order to maintain some authority.
By wearing a figure hugging dress, is a woman emphasising her equality or the desire for the male gaze?
Yes, perhaps she is.
However, women such as Jane Mansfield and Rita Hayworth, who inspire many women, such as myself, never considered themselves weakened by their dress. They played on the power their figure held over men. Should we as women, perhaps embrace this? Dress more feminine as a statement of our control over men. We are women after all.
There seems only one solution to this dilemma. Simply not to care. "Self confidence is one's only security" (L R Hubbard). After all, just as much as I love a suit, I could never give up my lipstick! Empowerment can therefore only come from our perception of its meaning.
As I flounce around in this outfit today, I can't help but feel more empowered as woman, than ever before!
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