Getting dressed in the morning has become simplified and unimaginative for me. Part of this has to be chalked up to body type familiarity and knowing what looks best on my shape, but the other part is having the wrong options.
When I wear the silhouette most flattering to my body type, a dress, I do battle with wind, rain, glaring sun, stairs, escalators, poor clothing construction, and my least favorite because it's fixable with knowledge, effort, and respect: leering eyes. Like many people, I am out on these streets, having lunch, taking walks, and utilizing mass transit to and from work. I'm mindful of my hemline, wriggling one hand free from my commuter juggle to grab the excess fabric of my skirt du jour to pinch it close to my legs. My commitment to dresses also stems from their theoretical simplicity, but they do not love me back when the wind gusts and my buns are flashed to all of North Capital Street. I'm exhausted by polite ways to sit down and stand up and feel frustrated just thinking about picnic table benches. Years ago I banished skater skirts like Romeo because I have no time for my outfit getting that kind of air when the train approaches the station.
I look like an asshole in regular pants but think longingly about how much I could get done if part of my mind wasn't occupied with the status of my hemline or VPL in skirts or dresses. The one day a week I wear leggings with the only sleek longline sweater I've ever been able to find, at a thrift shop no less, is my greatest comfort and relief. The outfit champions a flattering silhouette, quality construction, and zero fear of flashing.
The issue continues down the leg. My closet is plagued with shoes that mess up the formation of my feet, sometimes from 125mm of heel (easy to ID this perp), but most of the time from a flat due to cheap material and lazy design. I cannot skip, play, or sit cross-legged. My toes are scrunched, my knees feel they're about to give out, and if I were in danger, poorly designed shoes could actually hinder me from running away. My ass looks good though, amirite?!
In terms of clothing before it gets to me, I want good old fashioned ethics. I want Fair Trade clothing people are paid livable wages to make while working inside of well-maintained and accommodating facilities. I want sustainability, not fabrics borne of unnecessary toxic processes. I want clothing made from organic fibers that have minimally harmed the environment en route from earth to consumer, clothing that will either be upcycled or break down when it goes back to the earth. I want clothing that does not harm animals in its making. I want flattering utility. I want comfortable built in shorts under a-lines and shifts so I never have to think twice about especially windy days or how to sit comfortably at a picnic. I want fabrics that wick away moisture and stains and garments with high quality draping. I want underwear that stays in place, no more ill-fitting bras that dig into my flesh or "braless" blouses with zero support. I want a plethora of POCKETS! My god, pockets have always been a key feature in menswear and yet for women they're a novel afterthought. The flippant consideration of pockets in women's clothing is inconvenient and literally painful. Standardized purse use causes shoulder strain, back tension, or the availability of only one hand or arm. Dresses, skirts, sweaters, and leggings should all have pockets, or even better, zippered pockets. Help me help myself, designers and merchandisers.
After I KonMari'd the excess of my belongings, my wardrobe came out slim but effective but by now my key articles of clothing have begun to pill, lackluster with constant wear and wash. No longer impressive are flimsy fast fashions that go from concept to sales floor in 4-6 weeks in unparalleled turnaround. The true price is too high to nab a date night or work dress that falls apart after the first wash for $22.90, but many times I've felt I've had no choice. I know I'm not alone. When I attempt to reinforce my basics, I hit roadblocks. I no longer feel comfortable shopping on my old favorite fast fashion sites due to questionable origin ethics. The prevalent organic cotton clothing sites present sloppy looking and uninspired pieces. High-end designers who claim veganism blatantly hedge around the significance of sustainability, creating beautiful yet synthetic pieces that can't break down when they're disposed. My interim solution has been trolling second hand shops and sites for high end items in hopes the ethical box can be checked alongside avoiding landfill contribution and further harm to animals. Even then, often these clothes require dry cleaning which is a chemical laden money vampire.
Why is it so hard to deliver women ethical clothing options that achieve flattering functionality and style? We've got a million retailers and etailers, but no all-encompassing solution. It's not too much to ask for clothing to support both style and one's ultimate productivity. Accommodating clothing, inclusive clothing, thoughtful clothing. We deserve it.
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