I’ve been following these Two Girls Working, as Tiffany Ludwig and Renee Piechocki call themselves, for awhile. They are just so damn interesting and original—think fraternal twin Miranda Julys with an overtly feminist bent. For years they’ve been traveling the country, having little parties (which they liken to community models like Mary Kay and Tupperware, but with 70s-style consciousness raising thrown in) and asking women one seemingly simple (but obviously complicated) question:
What do you wear that makes you feel powerful?
They also ask folks to come to the party dressed in that outfit. Sometimes they have repeat parties to get a sense of how women's ideas about power and appearance change along with their lives.
As they make clear in the introduction to their new book, Trappings: “This book is not about fashion and to a large extent not even about clothing.� Instead it is about power, gender, class, race, color, sensuality, sexuality, globalization—you know, the whole gamut of what we express through our aesthetic choices. Clothing was just the way in.
The book has 61 women’s stories and pictures. There are eight year old girls in track suits and old women in ruffled blouses and police uniforms and lots of black and hats and dashikis and ponchos and hockey uniforms and…and…and…
There is really something for every reader here. The variability of the women creates this beautiful tapestry of contemporary womanhood—sometimes very traditional, sometimes bending gender entirely, sometimes clearly influenced by markets and media, sometimes seeming to sprout from an organic, familial place.
And the best thing is that it gets you really thinking about what is in your own closets, your own spilling to capacity drawers, your own shoe nests under the bed.
My answer: my mom’s cowgirl boots, my grandmother’s ring, good ass jeans, a vintage blouse, some bangles, and some big hoop earrings. OR knee high boots, a simple black dress, and big turquoise jewelry. Always long hair, very rarely makeup. Sometimes my father’s old rugby shirt. I obviously draw strength from a sense of matriarchy and familial history, plus my western roots, with a little of the style of my youth thrown in.
What about you?
Next Time: Refresh, Refresh by Benjamin Percy and then Choice by Karen Bender in honor of the upcoming anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.
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me, it is clothes that are not loose. Jeans plus a shirt kind of thing... collars definitely. Hair messily brushed back . Stud earrings, Quiet flat shoes....Spectacles- they make me more me, serious...
My lab coat.
What a wonderful book! I can't wait to find a copy for myself!
For me, it's all about shoes! LOL... I have a thing for high-heeled shoes; even my husband says I am a different person when I am in my stilettos - more confident, alluring, dominant (in a good way), etc. Although I have been accused more times than I can count of being a "hypocrite" because I love stiletto heeled shoes and call myself a feminist at the same time... Which makes me very angry, because I keep being judged based on an inaccurate stereotype. After all, ALL feminists are "head-shaving, man-hating, comfy-shoe-wearing, hairy dykes", aren't they? (/angry sarcasm)
But other than the shoe thing, my style (when I want to dress up or feel powerful) is mostly "vintage bombshell", a la Marilyn Monroe and Bettie Page. I love the style, and I have the hourglass figure to boot! ;)
My beat-up black motorcycle boots with the buckle (piratey!), my weathered leather jacket, hoop earrings, jeans, Ramones tshirt. Throw in overly red lipstick with gloss for dramatic effect.
A fitted white button-down shirt, a loose tie, wide-led trousers, (think Kate Hepburn), high heel boots, (I'm tall, but they make me Amazon tall), black pearl studs, red lipstick, and messy short hair. A dash of androgyny with a splash of Marlene Dietrich.
White button down shirt, short black skirt, knee-high boots, rings, and hoop earrings. I used to wear outfits like this a lot, but now that I've been forced into the corporate-ish mold, I don't get to. But I feel good when I wear big boots for some reason. Probably because I'm tiny.
That outfit, or my dad's old Boston Celtics t-shirt he's had since I was born, and jeans. The shirt is almost paper-thin and the paint is all cracked, but I remember him wearing it when I was a little girl and spinning me around. Something about that shirt just makes me feel both safe and powerful. (I'd say the same thing about something my mom gave me, but I can't fit into anything she owns ;))
Way excited about the book!!!
So, I would wear my maroon zip up hooded sweatshirt and my tearaway athletic pants with red buttons.
Underneath is a secret. My options of whether or not I share is my power.
Oh, and I'd have my colorfully busy estate sale back pack(that I call my purse)with me. And what's inside is also a secret.
Gray flannel skirt, tucked in button-down pinstripe shirt, almost-knee-high leather boots, and unusual earrings or necklace. Sometimes a blazer/jacket. I'm a grad student, so I almost never dress that way. But whenever I do, for special presentations, I feel like a different me.
Boots. My over-the-top jacket collection. (Jackets have a way of just screaming "cool.") Pinstripe trousers.
For me it's my rock clothes - jeans, biker boots and vintage concert shirt (80's Sonic Youth, Sun Ra, or some super-obscure band). And lots of eyeliner. I feel like a superhero when dressed like that.
Black boots: low, square heel, not too feminine. Dark jeans, figure-flattering button up top showing a bit of cleavage. Silver jewelry, hair up to show off my neck. Bold eye makeup and crimson lips.
i have just started teaching classes (college), and regardless of what i'm wearing normally that day i'll slip on this black blazer from the banana republic that makes me feel respectable.
Good lord does this reveal my age:
my kelly green 311 t-shirt with the Soundsystem album cover on it, a denim miniskirt, my Reef flip-flops, no makeup except for lip gloss and nail polish, loose wavy light brown hair, cute glasses. underneath, Victoria's Secret PINK bra and panties
All of which makes me feel sassy and loud. And shows off my cute lil' butt, great legs, cute face, small boobs, nice waist, shiny hair. Oh jeebus I feel so confident now! Too bad it's January in Ohio and I can't wear that outfit today :)
My high-heeled, knee-high boots (which make me about 6'2"), tweed skirt, camisole, and maroon cardigan. I feel put together, professional, and sexy all at the same time. And with the right music on my ipod, I will literally strut down the sidewalk feeling all bad-ass sexy librarian (minus the library degree, but I'm working on it!)
...And while previewing my comment, I realized that said maroon cardigan is probably the brightest thing, color-wise, that I feel comfortable/great wearing. I live in black, grey, navy, and a touch of green. I fear bright colors, but I love that sweater. Interesting.
Rich materials. Good fit. Structured clothes cut for movement and with good pockets. My old leather cap and my summer boater. Boots. Shirts with long cuffs for some reason...
Rugby shorts, knee socks (the good ones, not the ones that fall down around my ankles), sports bra, t-shirt. Boots (cleats) & uniform jersey optional, dirt & dark bruises preferred. Because I'm a hardass.
A black corset-y bustier (like armour and a hug at once) under a black dress shirt with a knee-length skirt and my knee-high platform heel boots. With either my human teeth earrings or the ones with the tiny gears on delicate little chains and my key necklace.
And my pink hair. Best idea ever and I'm glad I had the guts to do it.
Also, to everyone, and especially Entomologista and Susan B? Rock right on.
Combat boots, kilt, sporran. Black button-up and tie, with boobs bound. Buzzed head.
First, boots are a must. Heavy, black suede or leather with low, solid heels---wedge or flats; I like pirate-inspired or moccasin-inspired ones, and I splurge on a pair and wear them until they fall apart, then buy a new pair.
Jeans: low-rise and just slightly looser than skin-hugging; I have three good pairs at the moment. Black is best, or indigo, but one of my pairs is a good light blue.
Black shirt---ranges from tight tank tops to loose T-shirts, some with designs on the front, but black.
Thong underwear (can't stand the other sort) and a good-fitting bra.
Hair loose; it's around waist-length and I had, prior to taking a ceramics class this year, gone more than a decade without ever tying it back.
Little jewelry; my watch is a man's diving watch with the extra links removed. Silver-ball studs in my ears.
And my keychain collection: I have finally beaten the problem of women's pants being built for people who have purses to carry all their stuff (I hate purses) by fastening a chain of three carabiners between two belt loops and hanging keys, two Transformers action figures, a flash drive and two small Christmas ornamants from them, with more to be added, magpie-like, as I find things I like.
my triathlon wetsuit, racing kit on underneath, ready to kick ass
at first i couldn't come up with anything other than accessories: dangly or hoop earrings, hair pulled up in my signature sloppy bun with spiky ends sticking out, sunglasses, lipgloss, good-sized piece of chewing gum.
then i remembered this current fave for making me feel like i can do anything: slightly above-the-knee black & white kimono dress over black cami on top and black leggings on bottom, with black nearly knee-high boots. sometimes with cropped black cardigan.
but always, always boots with a sturdy heel, or any shoe with a thick heel or platform that makes a sound when it hits the ground.
For me, it has to be the black pin-stripe pants and three inch heels. I'm with you Ms.Stiletto, heels make me feel great and I always get the anti-feminist bit as well. However, at 5'0" those heels make me a whopping 5'3" and for some reason, it makes all the difference.
Of course, t-shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap come in close second. This is what I wear in the field where high heels are not practical. Sort of office/university powerful versus in the field doing grassroots stuff powerful.
I love the idea behind this book. Fantastic.
i think 'my lab coat' is my favourite answer so far
i feel powerful dressed in my black velcro shoes (no laces, they're so much more fun), my patched and repatched old jeans, a band t shirt (ember swift, tegan and sara, sonia and disappear fear... whatever is on my floor when i wake up) and my red hoodie. my hair is always messy and short since i don't own a brush and if i did i wouldn't use it, and i have a labret stud.
i'm perfectly happy with th efact that i'm female, and i don't consider myself particularly butch, but it makes me feel powerful when people are unsure of my gender. when people call me 'sir' and do a double take and stop using pronouns, or when a little kid stares at me and says loudly to its mother 'is that a boy or a girl!?'
and the mother doesn't know
i feel like i can be and do anything
My scrubs when all the pieces match. I have mix and match sets, too, with print tops to coordinate with a solid color pant, but I feel more professional when all the pieces are the same color.(I'm an RN.)
I'm still working on my power lawyer girl look, but for now it's my grey suit with the knee-length pencil skirt with my hair blow-dryed and perfectly coiffed and conservative jewelry.
It gives me a real sense of power to look even more conservative than opposing counsel. It's like I'm saying "look Mr. Old Corporate Lawyer Dude, I'm wearing YOUR uniform and I'm going to beat the pants off of you in your own game!"
Clothes I have made for myself, with my own tastes and nature in mind. :)
Most often a knee length tunic or 'pirate' shirt, with loose 'harem' pants in the winter/cooler months; in the summer it's a long tunic or pirate shirt with capris. Shoe wise, in the winter it's either my converse sneakers (which look hilarious with harem pants, lemme just say) or boots. In the summer I'm either barefoot or wearing flat sandals.
When I'm working, I tend to wear long skirts, my preference being ankle length with knee-high slits up both sides. Again, something I make for myself. :)
I also like wearing capes, vests and shawls, generally that I either crochet or sew. My 'purse' is actually a pouch I wear on a belt around my waist. Years of going to Ren Faires have obviously had an effect.
I have really short hair, except for my temple braids which are past my shoulders. When I really want to get comments or just need an ego boost, I put beads, feathers and bells in my braids.
When I worked at the fabric store, my clothing was actually encouraged, since it proved that despite my age, I did indeed know how to sew and crochet. Since I'm a substitute teacher, when I am at a school, I tend to stay away from some of the more outrageous pieces, but I still put beads in my braids and wear skirts, shirts and vests that I have made. :)
Meant to add, wearing stuff I've made myself, with skills that my mother and grandmother taught me means a lot. When people ask, I love saying 'my grandma taught me how to crochet when I was a little bit.' or 'my mom showed me how to sew.'
Right there with ya, Entomologista, my lab coat makes me feel powerful :)
Another outfit that makes me powerful are my panties with all-over rainbow stripes and a teal and black zebra print bra that does not match the panties.
jeans that don't fit too lose nor too tight, a beautiful Mexicana matriarch style blouse with purple hand-emboridered flowers made by skilled and beautiful Oxaquenses [Oaxaca natives] that state my Mexicana identity, and my black "chanclas" which is Spanish for flip flops that allow me to walk long distances comfortably and blister-free and some large hoop earrings, if it gets chilly I throw my beautiful green poncho over :)
Black jeans and a black figure-hugging top, with comfy shoes and a wide belt. There's just something anchoring about a good belt.
Alternatively, my fop-till-you-drop clothes: black vest and velour-type pants with a white blouse with long, drippy sleeves.
Either one would have to have my fringed leather biker jacket overtop.
Black, pointed toe stilettos and a suit. Always, ALWAYS a suit. They don't call it a power suit for nothin'!
late to the party- to busy reading l-------'s ridiculous comments, yesterday.
a snug black tee (or an obscure band tee)- ('cause, yes, I am an IMS, coupled with a "nice rack"), black knee length or shorter black skirt (or my new American Apparel grape "ice skater dress", or whatever it's called- have it in black, as well). Nice black TSUBO pumps that are deadly sexy, yet I can walk in (sexier yet), and my calling card dark/deep/ crimson lipstick. Oh, and I get the usual "secretary" or "librarian" descriptions from others. That'd be mainly due to me always being with book in hand, and having an assortment of nice horn-rimmed glasses.
Oh, and my empowering "just rolled out of a roll in bed" hair- it's naturally that way. Well, I've not the discipline to wear icky hairspray- and I have a thick reddish-brown mane that is naturally curly/wavy. oh, and sometimes just slacking about in a black, red, green (green eyes!) hoodie/sweater with jeans. and a book, or latest copy of Bitch, Make/Shift, or Bust. Or, all three.
Unfortunately, I am finishing up my Clinical MSW degree, and not a hot MLS.
Oh, and for the "Dietrich"s, "K. Hepburn"s, rough and tumble rugby girls out there- "rowr!" teh hotness!
eh, god...
that should have said "too" busy reading... (no, am not currently wearing my glasses, or occasional contacts- nor the usual heavy eyeliner. It is early...)
lab coats, I must say, are pretty hot, as well.
reminds me of Lutefisk's (not-so-great(looking back on it)) video for "Scorching and Clean". Yes, I am 31 and really dating myself.
Oooh what a nice thread... about threads!
A bitchin' headband, dangly earrings, a handmade scarf, long cami with a cardigan, my ass pants (because my ass looks great in them) and yoga shoes.
Guess I know what I am wearing today!
It's a toss up for me:
1)A black pants suit that I love with my 'hooker' boots (so lovingly named by a 'friend'). Underneath the jacket, a royal blue camie (my favorite color).
2)My rowing uni. :)
I never feel comfortable in anything flashy. I never wear makeup, except for eyeliner on very, very rare occasions. I haven't worn it in two years. I prefer my hair back and out of my face, and if I wear jewelry it's my mother's silver and austrian crystal necklace and my father's wedding ring.
I feel odd in anything but sneakers, and I like to wear solid colour long sleeved shirts and dark blue jeans with straight or flared legs. I never wear fitted jeans that show the shape of my ankle because I have big thighs.
I also love scarves. Nothing makes me feel better than wearing a really long, beautiful scarf. All kinds, too. I have a pink and darker pink striped scarf that I got at a Spencer's Gifts oddly enough, a rayon silk purple and green scarf by a local artist, a few threadbare silk scarves, some long knitted ones, some velvety ones, some beaded ones... you know; all kinds.