the idea of poverty emulation is something so common as well in fashion. i think back to the 60's and second hand aesthetics that are both 'different' but also showed that someone had the time and energy to make something unique and different
I have a relative with skin cancer… I prefer tanning subtly in the shade. Truly hot sun never felt good to me for more then ten minutes - regardless of what fashion dictates. Sorry. X
I am not trying to be difficult, and I'm not an anthropologist, but I have a question about your premise about beauty standards not changing. I feel like the male idea of what the shape of a beautiful woman is tends to be fairly consistent through time, from the wide hipped ancient little stone goddesses to even the more Rubenesque/renaissance art reflecting what we would today call "curvy" women. Curves and fat stores trigger us to believe that person would be more likely to carry out a successful pregnancy and is therefore more valuable. It really wasn't until women themselves started to gain social power and influence in the media that the stick thin, boy-framed Twiggy look became popular and therefore beautiful. What do you think?
I am sorry that people have claimed your writing to be in the "women tearing down other women" category, because to me that seems like Orwellian disinformation. Women tearing down other women IS a problem, it DOES exist, and to me seems even more hurtful than the patriarchy because of it's insidious nature. We need to be vigilant and make sure that "women opening other women's eyes" is differentiated to patriarchy sympathizing.
Not difficult at all. My premise is that beauty standards *do* change over time, according to social norms & the desire to gain power in society... which is exactly the scenario you laid out, lol. My whole thesis here, from sentence one, is that "*modern* appearance ideals" are not biological inevitabilities. Key word: Modern! I think we are saying the same thing, just in different ways.
I wish I could hold up a placard with “‘I like what I like’ is always a capitalist lie.” and show it to the self-important influencers saying stuff like ohhhh i don’t think EVERYONE needs botox and everyone is beautiful but I GOT IT because it pleases ME to look better!!
What a great quote: “‘I like what I like’ is always a capitalist lie.”
One of my faves!
And the whole thing where a tan is seen as having a "healthy glow." Bronzer, blush, may you neeeever be called "pasty."
Will my northwestern European skin ever get past the tone of a Captain's Wafer cracker? Nope.
Does that signify that I'm unhealthy?
Hell nah.
Do I care? Every passing day I'm learning not to.
Cheers to not caring!!
the idea of poverty emulation is something so common as well in fashion. i think back to the 60's and second hand aesthetics that are both 'different' but also showed that someone had the time and energy to make something unique and different
This book had a lot of interesting deep dives on it: https://www.amazon.com/Goodwill-Grunge-Secondhand-Alternative-Economies/dp/1469631903
Oooh thanks for the suggestion!
Great article! I worked for a well known beauty boutique for years and I agree about the sunscreen sales.
Ah! Tanning. Don’t get me started. Here’s another ‘secret’ for avoiding wrinkles: stay in the shade.
Or: Enjoy the sun as long as it feels good and don't get too worked up about wrinkles!
I have a relative with skin cancer… I prefer tanning subtly in the shade. Truly hot sun never felt good to me for more then ten minutes - regardless of what fashion dictates. Sorry. X
Oh for sure. Skin cancer = great reason to practice safe sun. Wrinkles = not so much.
Exactly, thank you for dissecting it so clearly - as usual. 😍
I am not trying to be difficult, and I'm not an anthropologist, but I have a question about your premise about beauty standards not changing. I feel like the male idea of what the shape of a beautiful woman is tends to be fairly consistent through time, from the wide hipped ancient little stone goddesses to even the more Rubenesque/renaissance art reflecting what we would today call "curvy" women. Curves and fat stores trigger us to believe that person would be more likely to carry out a successful pregnancy and is therefore more valuable. It really wasn't until women themselves started to gain social power and influence in the media that the stick thin, boy-framed Twiggy look became popular and therefore beautiful. What do you think?
I am sorry that people have claimed your writing to be in the "women tearing down other women" category, because to me that seems like Orwellian disinformation. Women tearing down other women IS a problem, it DOES exist, and to me seems even more hurtful than the patriarchy because of it's insidious nature. We need to be vigilant and make sure that "women opening other women's eyes" is differentiated to patriarchy sympathizing.
Not difficult at all. My premise is that beauty standards *do* change over time, according to social norms & the desire to gain power in society... which is exactly the scenario you laid out, lol. My whole thesis here, from sentence one, is that "*modern* appearance ideals" are not biological inevitabilities. Key word: Modern! I think we are saying the same thing, just in different ways.
I wish I could hold up a placard with “‘I like what I like’ is always a capitalist lie.” and show it to the self-important influencers saying stuff like ohhhh i don’t think EVERYONE needs botox and everyone is beautiful but I GOT IT because it pleases ME to look better!!