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The Forum > Article Comments > Sex, lies and stereotypes > Comments

Sex, lies and stereotypes : Comments

By Angela Chong, published 13/5/2005

Angela Chong argues a woman’s autonomy must not be compromised by what she chooses to wear.

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I hope it is all clear now Robert. You can’t tell a woman what she can or can’t do, and you can’t tell a woman what she should or should not be wearing.

However! You have to dress as though you are confident and sexy, and you can’t be wearing a Safari Suit, even though they were once bought in mass numbers by women for their husbands and sons.

If all this seems confusing or hypocritical, then it’s probably because you have a male mind.

I think I’ll keep spending my money on boats and kids.
Posted by Timkins, Sunday, 22 May 2005 4:43:46 PM
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Timkins – don’t you understand irony? I don’t think that Di would seriously tell a man that he can or cannot wear a safari suit. Despite the fact that men in safari suits look ridiculous. But if you want to wear one Timkins, you go right ahead. Go right ahead and wear whatever you like.
Posted by jane, Sunday, 22 May 2005 5:26:29 PM
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Di, I might struggle in the clothing taste department from time to time but I think you are safe on the safari suit front.

Timkins, I think the comments were meant a bit more lightly than that. Hopefully Di won't be trying to get me to go to work in a mini skirt. I did not feel like my autonomy was threatened by Di in her comment and I can't think of anything as bad as the safari suit in the female wardrobe except clothing which does not suit the figure (bike pants on really fat women maybe). So Di if you are really overweight promise me you will leave the bike pants alone ;)

As I've commented on previously I do think that we are in a period of adjustment regarding gender roles. If that is the case hopefully many of your concerns (some shared by me) are a product of the transition and will be resolved if we can maintain healthy dialog. I work on the assumtion that most of the posters to this forum are people doing the best with what thay know and based on their life journey so far and their world views. I want to understand why things which seem unjust or harmful are supported by people who care about the world they live in and to try and help them understand why I support what I do. There is such an opportunity here to communicate with people from very different viewpoints, it is safe place to do so and involves a wide range of approaches. Awesome stuff.
Posted by R0bert, Sunday, 22 May 2005 6:49:38 PM
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Robert, I certainly did not intend to fashion challenge you, and am suitably heartened (and relieved) by the fact that you have declared yourself Un-safari-suited. See guys? Fashion can be lighthearted and fun, not laden full of Jezebel intentions! Now Timkins, hope you're wearing a rash shirt these days. And no, Robert, my bum doesn't look big in bike shorts. But hey, they're so last millenia! Hope you're not wearing them!
Posted by Di, Monday, 23 May 2005 5:38:24 PM
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Di, any fashion challenge here is self imposed rather than directed from outside.

Now for an attempt to try this stuff back to the topic and sum up my views on this.
There is a big difference between good natured discussion about clothing style and someone in a position of power ordering someone into skimpy clothing (where that is not clearly defined up front and specifically related to the job).

Someone who wears very revealing clothes in a setting which is unsafe is not initiating or inviting a crime but is increasing their chances of being the victim of the crime just as leaving a window unlocked is not inviting somebody to enter but if you are unwilling to be robbed you lock the window. If the neighbourhood is a good one then the unlocked window is less of a risk.

We do have a serious skin cancer issue in this country but that probably is not a big reason for covering up at indoor functions or going out at night.

Some guys are not attracted to women who wear revealing clothes, probably not likley to be compatable anyway so that seems like a good thing.

I like people to dress for the occasion, up or down as needed. I don't mind the idea of someone showing that they think enough of me to dress to impress on a suitable occasion.
Posted by R0bert, Monday, 23 May 2005 8:22:05 PM
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Robert,
I think your summation is accurate enough. However there is the children aspect to consider in all of this fashion and autonomy. At one time my daughter would wear her sun top all day, but now that she is older, I have great difficulties in getting her to wear it at all.

I would think that this is because of peer group pressure, and because of the magazines she wants to read, and none of the fashions in those magazines include a sun top, but nearly all advertise the “sporty” or “sunny” look. These trendy fashions are not necessarily healthy for children eventually.
Posted by Timkins, Monday, 23 May 2005 8:57:22 PM
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