Okay, I might be cheating a little because this has something to do with social justice, but roll with me here.
The title says “Fashion Edition”, but to be honest, I couldn’t give a wet fart in a mudslide about high fashion. It all looks unwearable and expensive and no, just no. If it’s not black, sorta gothic, or my standard leggings and large shirt daily combo, I didn’t care.
But two years ago, my Twitter feed – where I consume media vicariously through people’s reactions – lit up with pictures of fancy dresses and the stars that I may have sorta recognized sorta. It was the Met Gala, which can go anywhere from “expensive prom” to “Final Fantasy final boss at their first form” levels.
At first I was all “scroll by, don’t care”. Then I started actually reading them. Some of the were reads. Serious reads.
I love Black Twitter sometimes.
So I started reading along, looking at pictures and giggling away.
Last year I was Twitter-following and wanted to add my commentary, but then I choked.
Did I have the right? Was I dissing that dress for being fugly, or because I thought so-and-so was too old, fat, skinny, etc.
I mean, I’m all for self-expression, so was what I was doing being judgy?
So, after some thinking and Facebook angsting (no wonder people hate considering other people – being an unemphatic douchecanoe is so much easier!), I came to this conclusion.
Yes. Yes you can critque a dress, a style, a whatever without touching a person’s race, gender, ability, age, and so on.
For example, here’s what Taylor Swift wore to this year’s Met Gala, with a futuristic overall theme.
That dress looks like foil that had been microwaved. See, no comment about her as a person (though damn, she makes my teeth itch), just that dress which is doing her no favors at all.
Speaking of a dress that is doing anyone any favors, here’s Madonna:
…oh honey why? I just…why?
If you’re gonna rock the sheer peekaboo look, take notes from Nicki Minaj here:
She looks like a LARPer in the best possible way, ready to kick ass and slaying at the same time.
Now, before you accuse me of hating on white people, here’s Nicole Kidman serving some magical Earth Mother realness:
Claire Danes’ dress had my cosplay friends searching for “luminous fabric” on Google, it was that awesome:
Solange. I have more than a few follows that found this to be stylish and unique, but for me, it’s like a Final Fantasy boss at mid-form. Or a summon. I just didn’t like it, though a lot of folks on my Twitter feed totally did:
On the other hand, her sis Beyonce looks like she’s wearing the skin of “Becky with the good hair”.
What should I call this? Ethical shade throwing? SJFC – social justice fashion commentary? Hell, I dunno.
But it’s a lovely once a year hobby. Here’s to 2017
My first reaction was that nothing there looks comfortable — nothing that I’d want to spend a night in, even if I had the kind of bod those dresses were made for. Kidman’s dress is closest, but there’s all that floating fabric to get into trouble. Oh, well, this is coming from someone whose idea of a big night out is dinner at the local Mongolian BBQ with a couple of friends, and who puts a skirt on under duress. 🙂
…and now I’m hungry for Mongolian BBQ. Thanks 🙂
If that pic were seen only in a passing glance, Swift could be mistaken for a character in some new video game.
I’m still working on my own fashion sense as transwoman, so no comment on the clothes. But I’m wishing I had their figure – any of them, I mean.
If I could have Nicki’s figure, I’d want for nothing else in this world.
But yeah, best not to take fashion tips from the Met Gala red carpet. Your wallet will cry.
My wallet doesn’t cry, it screams in pain. I have to work as a “man” so I need two wardrobes, one for work and one for living. And real hair wigs are very expensive; synthetics make me nauseous.
I’m sorry
I hope one day you can be your true self wherever you walk.
I know the price of real hair wigs, we got my MIL one when she had cancer…
I use human hair to extend my locs, so holy shit do I understand the price. I’m using the entirety of my royalty payment to pay for another hank.
giliell –
No, no, no, don’t be. I am wayyyyyy better off and have it far easier than most. I have a decent enough income to cover my costs, boatloads of waiguoren and Taiwanese friends who love and accept me as I am, I live in Taiwan which is one of the most trans-friendly places in the world, and the transgender clinic at Veteran’s Hospital in Taipei is one of the best in the w0rld for treatment (psychotherapy, hormones, surgery, et al). I’m also eligible for permanent residency here, and have the options of living in Canada, England or the EU.
My only gripes are that I can’t get a job working as a woman, and that I need to move to Taipei, not the city I currently live in. In all honesty, if I were financially independent, I would spend 80% of my time as a woman, 20% male.
My financial problems are mostly due to me being a shopaholic (I owned forty pairs of leggings even before I started transitioning) and the cost of shoes. Finding Euro size 45 shoes (US 14 women) is impossible. Ordering online is the only option, and I love heels.
40 pairs of leggings!
*pumps fist in the air* Fuck pants! Leggings are the future!!
Feminace –
Curious question for you: Does my email address appear to you as part of my login and registration?
I see your email addy from here, yes.
That was a hint, if you’re willing.
Toss Niki Massey a FB message. It’s the only way to contact me until my social media break ends 🙂
And no, general public, that isn’t an invite for everyone and their parent to hit me up there.
Oh I love, love, love red carpet dresses. Not all of them, obviously. Sometimes you wished that some good friend had taken them aside and said “hun, just don’t”. I remember several years whe Nicole Kidman showed up in pale pink and peach tones and it was just no. Yes, she’s too pale overall for those colours and so is my daughter (younger model. Older one can totally wear them).
And personally I don’t like underboobs showing. Maybe that’s just me being jealous of people who don’t need bras….
I share your envy. OMG do I share your envy.
If you’re not familiar with them, Tom and Lorenzo manage to critique fashion and pop culture without most of the usual ageism, sexism and body shaming. And they’ve got tons of photos and critiques of this year’s Met Gala…
http://tomandlorenzo.com/
I got one of those photos from that site. I’ll have to check it out!