You can't be a feminist if you're girly, WTF!

[BacardiNCoke]

My sister just posted this article on FB. She loves Zooey Deschanel, and is also a raging feminist like me. This article just seems like a huge bitchfest, from a website that is usually quite balanced.

My reaction was; "I don't really care enough for Zooey to go in search of her past work, she's just never come up on my radar before (although I love her sister)! But since when did supposed feminists turn into your typical high school bitch? I mean WTF? She's wears "girlie" dresses so can't be a feminist? She displays "girlie" traits so we all must hate her? I mean come on! Being a feminist is about wanting equality, celebrating being a woman whatever you're into. Who the fuck decrees who is the boss of feminism "Oh you can be a feminist, oh you can't be a feminist". Fuck off! I'm the least "girlie" person out there, but if I suddenly decide to smother myself in pink and wear a tutu, that's my fucking prerogative! How dare anyone say I can't be a feminist because they don't agree with something I wear, or something I say! If someone decides I can't be a feminist because... then they're not a true feminist themselves."

[ecclesvet]

I find the whole 'adorkable', twee vibe irritating, but can't see anything anti-feminist about it.

[WantsToBeFree]

Anyone who believes in the full humanity and equality of men and women is a feminist. The rest is extraneous.

[RosyRoo]

Well, of course you can wear whatever you want and be a feminist. But I would question why an adult woman would choose to dress and an act in a way that is stereotypically that of a very young girl. Just saying 'because I want to' isn't enough of an answer.

[MurderOfGoths]

"Just saying 'because I want to' isn't enough of an answer."

So what's an acceptable answer?

[bootsycollins]

Dear Zooey ,

I expect your dissertation justifying each item of clothing you own on my desk by 9am Monday.

From RosyRoo

[PiccadillyCervix]

I don't think she dresses unusualy for a woman of her age Rosy?

[RosyRoo]

Don't you all have a theory of dressing to which you rigourously adhere? I know I do. It's 48 A4 pages (both sides) and I had it bound in Rymans.

[Anniegetyourgun]

My dress code, if written, would look something like this:

Is it clean?
Does it matter?

[Hullygully]

Mine is, Will it pass muster?

[PiccadillyCervix]

MIne is the same as Annies, only add "does it fit" to the end.

[RosyRoo]

My number one criteria is, is it warm enough? So most days I'm wearing items made of fleece.

[waltermittymistletoe]

"Just saying 'because I want to' isn't enough of an answer."

Does it require an answer? To whom is she supposed to be answerable?

[Hullygully]

becasue WHY you want to matters

[waltermittymistletoe]

To whom? I don't care. I respect her right to dress as she chooses.

[RosyRoo]

Yes, you all have a point. I was talking bollocks. The girls thing is annoying though.

[RosyRoo]

Oh Hully you agree with me. The reason it matters is that women should feel able to present themselves as adults, not children. Acting like a child plays on the idea that youth and innocence is what is desirable in females. It is sexual in an undesirable way.

[waltermittymistletoe]

Do you think maybe that's just how she is though?!

[MurderOfGoths]

" The reason it matters is that women should feel able to present themselves as adults, not children. Acting like a child plays on the idea that youth and innocence is what is desirable in females."

Except she probably just likes pretty things.

Whose to say she doesn't feel able to present as an adult? Surely by saying she has to dress a certain way you are restricting her? A tactic which has always been used to put women in their place, I'm not comfortable with telling women what to wear, it's been used too often in the past to control/oppress us.

[feministefatale]

What MOG says, maybe she enjoys dressing that way? If she does and she feels comfortable in that way and I am sure she can afford to.. Who are we to tell her how to dress? How should she dress?

I don' think she dresses particularly child like at all maybe very traditionally feminine but not like a kid.

Society has taught women to like dresses.. a lot of women will like dresses.

[MurderOfGoths]

"Society has taught women to like dresses.. a lot of women will like dresses."

Plus dresses are easy. If I'm busy or in a rush I always prefer dresses, no faffing about finding matching trousers and top. Just grab dress, chuck on, done.

[catgirl1976]

My dress code is:

Has the baby regurgitated any food on it?

If yes, can it be removed with a baby wipe?

[GunsAndRoses]

Never heard of Zooey Deschanel before. Zooey or Zoe?

[LauriesFairyonthetreeeatsCake]

I wear dresses every day - stretch jersey dresses with leggings. I can stretch, run, move in them - and I find them much less restrictive than trousers.