The 'this is what a feminist looks like' tshirt?

[jenny60]

Have one of these and am a member of the Fawcett Society but feel a little odd wearing it. Very happy to be seen as a feminist - it's no secret . But slightly worried that it looks as though I'm saying either 'look at me: I'm normal looking, I don't wear dungarees, have short hair, cliche, stereotype etc...' or 'Aren't I gorgeous. Bet you dodn't know feminists could be gorgeous?'.
Anyone else got one? What do yout think?

[comixminx]

I haven't got one but would be quite happy to wear one if I did. I think it's probably saying 'look at me, I'm normal' - whatever normal means! I guess I do know what you mean about the question of what sort of message it is read as being - but it could well spark up discussion I suppose which might be more the reason behind wearing it?

[jenny60]

Sorry: not good at links. Go to the Fawcett Society website. There are some great pictures there of many excellent women wearing them. That was reassuring, but still... I was asked by one woman the other day where I got it: that was good.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

I decided not to get one when I was looking for feminist t-shirts lately, though I am quite comfortable in other t-shirts with the word feminism/feminist on.

Partly because I am scruffy with greying hair (though naturally gorgeous, obv) and I couldn't really see the point of a t-shirt that said effectively, 'Look! A feminist who is scruffy with greying hair!' Also because I don't see the point of something that draw attention to what I look like.

Actually of course the point of the t-shirt is its impact when worn by a whole range of women.

[jenny60]

www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=394

Hope this works: shame Ms May is wearing one!

[jenny60]

x posts. Yes, seths, I think that is the point. Do you think there's anything wrong with wearing it, or its it just not for you?

[steamedtreaclesponge]

Wow - I really want one!

And I love the fact that it's actually not just women wearing them on the website but people like Bill Bailey and Patrick Stewart.

[jenny60]

That's reassuring

[Aitch]

i know what you mean, i don't know whether the t shirt demands that i don't look like an archetypal feminist... and whether i'm up to that on a daily basis, i don't know. (plus i never wear t shirts, so unflattering... )

[sethstarkaddersmum]

Jenny - I suppose I just think it works best on people who are not stereotypical feminists . But there is nothing wrong with people wearing it no matter what they look like - nothing wrong with effectively saying 'I look like a feminist and hell, I am a feminist!' - it's just I felt the display space on my chest could be used more effectively by 'Feminists - calling out bullshit where we see it since 1792'

[jenny60]

Oh, where did you get that one Seths? Given that I usually wear mine when running, I won't ever look my best, but who cares? It is fun to see people reading it, but it's also quite weird to invite people to look at my chest. I've seen a few men read it, look nervous when they catch my eye and quickly look away

[onebatmother]

Hmm, interesting. I've had the same reservations Jenny, but at the same time I nearly burst into tears in Waitrose when a gorgeous 13 year old (they all are, I mean) was wearing one while shopping with her adoring and respectful dad

It's tempting to embrace the stereotype and cut the sleeves off so everyone can see I don't shave under my arms (except for weddings.)

OR I might wear one of these underneath the t-shirt. That'll get people thinking outside the box, I'm certain.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

here
I got the medium because I am size 14 chest at the moment due to breastfeeding and it's massive - I've had to take it in.

[jenny60]

PMSL onebat
It probably onyl works rally well if a whole lot of women and penguins wear tham at the same time.

What sorts of questions Ruby? All I've had is 'where did you get it?'

[sethstarkaddersmum]

pmsl re penguin!!!!!

[sethstarkaddersmum]

People ask me what happened in 1792. (It was the publication of Mary Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Women, the first work to argue women should have human rights, if anyone's interested.)

[jenny60]

Thanks seth: I LOVE some of them but how weird to see the feminist ones next to the 'abortion holocaust' and 'pro-life' ones?

[Butterpie]

The only reaction I have had is one particulary misguided friend making a comment on facebook when he saw me wearing it and posing with a cake I had just baked with DD.

I told him to bugger off, obv

[jenny60]

Ruby: say equal rights for women.

[HerBeatitude]

I note the absence of Cheryl Cole wearing the t-shirt

(I couldn't wear it either Aitch - neckline is too high...)

[ElephantsAndMiasmas]

I know what you mean (and I also wish it wasn't just in high-neck t-shirt form, they don't seem to work with breasts somehow and I end up feeling a bit strangled) but I do love mine. It does work best when lots of different people are wearing it. Ashamed to admit this, but I feel more anxious of my appearance when I am wearing it. Partly because it directly draws attention to my appearance, and partly because I feel like an ambassador for feminism.