Saturday, February 20, 2010

SIGNALS...

The other day Gracie told me (approvingly) that I dress like a lesbian, which was something I had never considered. It's true that I often dress in quite an androgynous way: flat lace up boots or Oxfords, socks, ankle length trousers, cardigans - basically it's all A.P.C.'s fault that I end up looking like a 1950s University professor.
But that's just what I like and feel comfortable in - I'm always ripping excess bows and embellishments off otherwise perfect garments. It's also true that I never, ever dress to try and attract men. I sort of maybe think that if I were to go out with my boobs cantilevered into a slaggy dress, not only would I feel extremely stupid and uncomfortable, but I'd be likely to attract the type of man I wouldn't have the slightest bit of interest in. But I never thought I might be inadvertently attracting women instead, not that I have anything against lesbians whatsoever; some of them are great friends of mine (see above).

But it's funny to think that maybe if you don't have the same visual references, read the same blogs, have the same mini obsessions with perfectly cut, well made clothes, or tend to wander round the Margaret Howell shop oohing and ahhing, you might get a whole different message. The day following Gracie's observation I went to Topshop and happened to buy a coral pink ruffle necked babydoll top, a floral print tiered chiffon babydoll top (not on the site) and a cotton empire line dress that looks like a Victorian christening gown. The two incidents were completely unrelated.
It's funny what messages come across. Recently I was talking to this Indian bloke and asked him if there was anything I should be careful to avoid wearing to an Indian wedding I'm going to. I was thinking perhaps certain colours have different connotations in other cultures, that sort of thing. His response? "Just try not to dress too much like a chav and you should be ok." My response? "Excuse me, whaaa, I mean, have you, like, actually met me?" Later I looked down at my See by Chloe spike heeled, studded ankle boots and realised that fashion can be a dangerous game when you're dealing with the uninitiated.

{photo 1: my daily shoe rotation - random lace up boots, Prada oxfords, Sessun desert boots. photo 2: girly Topshop haul to be worn with baggy rolled up jeans and a snarl}

8 comments:

Unknown said...

ha!
but i've always thought your taste has been quite girlie (but in a good way)...

mind you i never understand how these thoughts etc come about...for example...my friend got what she calls "an 80's cut", resulting in her hot-babeness multiplying...and guys sayng: "oh A. looks so great with her boy's haircut...so sexy.."

Emma. said...

I dress like a girl and feel like a boy (but sometimes it's the other way round).

Siru said...

:D I've never thought of that (which is funny). I dress for my self and I think everyone should try it. But having few really sweet pieces in otherwise androgynous garderobe could be fun. I think it is.

juliet xxx

RD said...

Odd comment, but then I used to get something similar often. I wondered why and the only conclusion I could come to was: attention to detail. If you dress with an attention to detail, the of course another woman will be the one to notice, especially when the details are subtle...

Straight men tend not be into details... They're more for the obvious --

Having said that, I think it can be eye opening to have input from the opposite sex into one's choice of clothes. In my case, it led me to be more casual. Apparently I'm too forbidding and unapproachable when formally dressed. Pity, I do enjoy the formal look...

bb

P.S. Didn't know you had won the prize! I don't know if you remember the expression that I had coined in a previous thing you were in: "You will win the Beaujolais!" Well, you won the beaujolias and more!

Unknown said...

One word : L-o-ve
I have to follow your blog :)
Panda x

gracia said...

The "1950s University professor" in me is looking forward to autumn especially so. It means I can don a cardi once more. Ah, layers. Yes, that makes it so much better.

nina said...

First of all I Love each piece in this post! There can never be enough perfect lace up boots!
and 2ndly unrelated fun: http://menwholooklikeoldlesbians.blogspot.com/

Mandy said...

Love these photographs, I just found your blog and I have to say it is really great, thanks