tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post3662980365087130346..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Going RogueGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-50885092514443766732013-01-26T11:40:00.647-05:002013-01-26T11:40:00.647-05:00I would have to say I have an "alternative&qu...I would have to say I have an "alternative" beauty. I don't shave my pits or legs and will even wear clothing that shows that. I shave my head. I don't wear makeup or nail polish. I just have never understood why it's expected for women to do those things when it's not open for men.<br /><br />That doesn't mean that I think that no one should alter their appearance. My son loves to wear dresses, makeup, and nail polish. It's a wonderful way he expresses himself. <br /><br />I guess that's the crux of it. I feel everyone, regardless of sex or gender, should be able to wear and to the things that express their personality. And screw society!Kristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06964580963048511157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-62101864621938914382013-01-25T11:30:44.192-05:002013-01-25T11:30:44.192-05:00I love all this out of the box fashion, all the ha...I love all this out of the box fashion, all the handmade. So many unique styles, it's got me interested in dressing up again. (I'm 53) <br />I have to say though, it takes time, thoughtfulness and money! I love the coloured hair trend. It does remind me though of the flappers going, on mass to get their hair chopped. Some things don't change. Are woman are beauty obsessed?rebeccahttp://www.istitch.blogspot.ca/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-15512752332644043312013-01-15T10:19:57.306-05:002013-01-15T10:19:57.306-05:00wow obviously you have gotten lots of comments on ...wow obviously you have gotten lots of comments on this post! I am older, 50, but I love reading your posts, and I enjoy my sewing and seeing what others are doing. I just wanted to share with you, that I've shared your blog with my youngest daughter (13) on her facebook --- she wants to do her hair blue --- and I think she has talked her dad into it as personality statement no different then makeup or clothing styles. She loves looking at tats & piercings that she wants in the future, she is an awesome kid, good grades, with a deep belief in God --- I think it funny how others might view her different though just because of hair color, or being different in her expression of herself! Thanks for being an awesome example that being different visually is okay!LauraMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08646972991522827672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-74903931945833896352013-01-04T02:09:30.064-05:002013-01-04T02:09:30.064-05:00Dear Gertie - I've been rebelling against the ...Dear Gertie - I've been rebelling against the expected norm all my life, more than 66 years. For certain people, it's the only way you can be. As long as you're true to yourself, you're doing great. Enjoy your pink hair and your individuality. DanaDana Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01875808599501168743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-39881847560006867112012-12-31T00:54:40.480-05:002012-12-31T00:54:40.480-05:00I think this depends greatly of the context the pe...I think this depends greatly of the context the person lives in. In a more fashion-forward environment, in a big city, things like brightly colored hair are more easily accepted (or at least ignored). <br />If she were, let's say, a lawyer or an elementary school teacher, or if she lived in a small town, pressure over her because of fashion choices would be much greater. Of course is better than 20, 30 years ago, but I don't see people being that acceptant yet... Julihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11738717381821628647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-26419039077178224622012-12-29T12:38:34.512-05:002012-12-29T12:38:34.512-05:00I find your questiong really interesting. To rebel...I find your questiong really interesting. To rebel agaisnt the maintream via tattoos, piercing, hair colouring, is just a positioning of the self as someone different and special, not out of the system, but part of it. We are simply identifying our tribe or the cultural icons we identify with, all of them part of the system and guided by the same rules. I recomend(Heaths and Potter's) The Rebell Sell, where the authors explain this question very clearly. Mertxehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10126670153437138246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-2163211641425816912012-12-27T13:26:13.353-05:002012-12-27T13:26:13.353-05:00Great post. I love the idea of women being authent...Great post. I love the idea of women being authentic or unconventional, although IMO there is a line not to be crossed into the "freak showish specitical" type of persona. I know it's not a big deal, but I got my nose pierced last January at the age of 34. It felt like a big deal to me. I think its my way of saying I'll do as a please. (Finger fipped) It took me 15 years to get the courage not to care about others opinions.<br /><br />I say, the more authentic you are the better! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so keep on rocking that pink hair if it feels good to you. :)Jesshttp://outsidethebox.blog.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-66860651728786493512012-12-26T19:38:34.550-05:002012-12-26T19:38:34.550-05:00P.S. I think we'd save money if we wanted our...P.S. I think we'd save money if we wanted our jeans to look fresh and our faces distressed, than our faces fresh and our jeans distressed. :-)Vyperonicanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-40649349360889150742012-12-26T19:31:03.369-05:002012-12-26T19:31:03.369-05:00As far as beauty and the rules goes, I don't t...As far as beauty and the rules goes, I don't think I'm overzealous about following the latest trends. I'm of the opinion that rebelling for the sake of rebelling, these days, amounts to little more than going from one group to another--simply because, practically speaking, given the vast population currently inhabiting our planet, the probability that I'm the only person thinking a certain thought or making a certain choice at any given moment is EXTREMELY low--thus, any choice I make is likely to have company sooner or later, whether the choice be my hair color, decisions to wax or not to wax, or opt for flip flops vs. sling backs. So, I'm not the only woman who ever coloured her hair violet red with bright atomic red highlights, but to me, that doesn't matter. I didn't coloured my hair red because I was thinking about what other people would be thinking, though I figured some might make a comment one way or another: I coloured my hair red because I like the colour red and I really, really wanted to. To me, being me is less and less about reacting to a culture or making a statement or making a fuss than it is about finding the best word to fit my thought. I do not find rebellion to be an attractive goal for defining my life, because then I'm constrained to define myself by what I'm not. Sometimes there's nothing wrong with the status quo, just as there's no need to invent a wheel because it's been done well enough already. Ultimately for me, beauty is like writing poetry or composing music: there are rules for form and metre and rhyme that are to be followed and which sometimes cause me frustration because it can be difficult to find a combination of elements that satisfy both structural requirements and the artistic idea or emotion I am attempting to express. But after patient (and not-so-patient!) toil, I find that it is those very structural demands that provide a foundation for even stronger, more powerful, more beautiful results which demanded more of my creativity and ingenuity than I might have thought possible. It is the very restrictions that can inspire greater creative heights than unfettered freedom, because without the boundaries of form, there would be no need of ingenuity or creativity to find THE word, tone, harmonic voicing, that takes me from words to meaning and from melody to music. The form, the structure is not my enemy, neither is it my master, but my means. I'm not rebelling, or rebelling against rebelling... I'm acknowledging the existence of the spectrum and hoping to stay off of and out of the way of the pendulum swings along a continuum of thought. Vyperonicanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-2318267805334712462012-12-26T15:26:18.017-05:002012-12-26T15:26:18.017-05:00Sure, atypical hair is a form of rebellion. I had ...Sure, atypical hair is a form of rebellion. I had long hair my whole life apart from a brief bob stint in High School. A few years ago, i went to get a pixie cut. even the receptionist at the salon made a big deal, asking me twice if I was really ready for such a big difference. When the stylist started cutting away she mentioned she was afraid I'd cry. I was indirectly annoyed at the statement. why would i cry about something i just asked you to do? it seemed a stupid thing to cry about a haircut i specifically requested. the cut looked so awesome that other patrons got up to admire it as i was on my way out. admittedly, i did it to shock people. i wanted to fall outside the box i was known to inhabit and it worked. <br /><br />and sewing is totally a form of rebellion. i know i started learning because i was hearing too many, "oh, but you don't see skirts/jackets/etc. like THAT anymore." why not? sewing is my way of making things exist that were previously unattainable, there's no better rebellion than creativity :)Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08348490360156677976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-85292001554416206402012-12-26T12:20:17.868-05:002012-12-26T12:20:17.868-05:00There are so many wonderful and insightful comment...There are so many wonderful and insightful comments regarding Gertie's question. My desire to have a non-conventional look (vintage)is more about wanting to look modest and feminine rather than to rebel. Sadly a lot of conventional women don't seem to grasp the concept that not everyone wants to look like "the plastics" from "Mean Girls". Be it pink hair or a pillbox hat, if you look different than most you will garner attention simply by not conforming to what everyone else is doing.<br /><br />Ultimately we have to ask ourselves why we feel a particular style suits us and what about it that resonates with us as women. Embrace that which makes you feel like yourself, be it ultra feminine or tomboyish and love yourself through the many changes your style will take over the course of your lifetime. In my experience it is just as much work "going rogue" as it is "living on the beauty grid" and have found through my own personal journey that any type of look takes work. The rougue girl who chooses to look Scene, Goth, or vintage goes through as much of a beauty routine as the mainstream girls/women who pour over glossy European fashion magazines and shop at the mall. We really never truly escape the trappings of a beauty routine unless we simply roll out of bed and get dressed in the first thing we pull off a hanger, or in some cases what is lying about on the floor. Fortunately I'm at a place in my life where I truly do not care about other people's opinions of me, but for all of the right reasons. When I was younger my attitude was a bit "in your face" if someone made a dispariging remark about my look; today I simply smile and shake my head. Women can be our own worst enemies when it comes to putting one another down. <br /><br />Sewing my own clothing gives me so much more freedom than simply buying off the rack. Vintage clothing isn't always easy to find for the modern figure (those gals were TINY!)and sewing a vintage pattern gives me the ability to have the same look without forever pining that my curves rarely fit into those vintage confections! I can make it in several different fabrics and have a killer dress that relatively no woman in my city will be seen wearing. My look is always either pure vintage, vintage inspired, vintage reproduction or a mix of all three. It takes just as much or more work to pull off an "all 40's, all the time" look as it does to look like a cookie cutter girl in the mall. Whereas the conventional gal is shampooing, blow drying and the flat ironing her hair I am having to either pin curl or roller set mine so there is no time saved. They spend hours at the mall, we spend hours online researching or at fabric stores looking for just the right textile. Be it rogue or Paris runway women will always do what we do.........xoxox40's Fashionistanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-22465306951735888592012-12-24T16:50:34.065-05:002012-12-24T16:50:34.065-05:00Like many, I guess my penchant for making things i...Like many, I guess my penchant for making things is a form of rebellion. I do confess that a certain amount of pleasure is taken from possessing things that are one-of-a-kind. Especially, things I design and make myself. I’m a naturally shy person and having someone recognize the amount of work I’ve put into a project is just more comfortable for me.<br /><br />As for body image, I don’t imagine there is a single person who has never been criticized for their appearance. Most often, we do hear of people being singled out for weighing too much, but the word “too” is put in front of a lot of descriptive words; too skinny; too tall; too short and even “too pretty”. For those of you who think that last one is a joke, I wish it was. The Iowa Supreme court recently upheld a lower court decision that the firing of a dental hygienist, because she was “too pretty”, wasn’t discrimination. Because of her looks, her boss felt he was in danger of having an affair with her, despite the fact she never indicated a willingness to participate. However, his wife felt threatened and insisted a ten-year employee be let go. This is just speculation on my part, but it seems to me there were issues in that marriage the principals just weren’t willing to address honestly, and their employee was caught in the middle. Firing her was easier than dealing with their real problems, whatever they were, and shame on the courts for condoning it. Whatever happened to self-control, or being responsible for our own thoughts or actions? <br /><br />For those of you who are struggling with appearance and meaningful relationships, don’t lose hope. Especially for heterosexuals, it does seem that men have a habit of objectifying women. They are easily attracted to someone who likes drawing attention to certain body parts, but for those males who have actually developed some maturity, they move beyond that rather quickly. Despite what the “beauty” industry tries to tell society, most men just don’t understand why women spend so much time and money on those products and services. (Unless they’re gay or metro sexual.) While they may compliment us when we’re all dolled up, their preference is for naked, in all its forms. My husband prefers not to be kissed after I apply lip balm, and while he does appreciate sexy outfits, they’re just special occasion “gift wrap” to him. (His end goal is always naked, regardless of how the package is wrapped. Far be it from me to worry about his low standards. Takes the pressure off me.) My daughters have had male friends that expressed a dislike for various lip products and makeup in general. They didn’t care for the taste or feel of said products. It was kind of a mood killer for them.<br /><br />In the end, I’m always of the opinion, that as long as you aren’t harming someone, do what suits you. Just like everyone else I do struggle not to pass judgment on others whose standards of appearance are not the same as mine. I have to keep reminding myself that I don’t truly know those people. I don’t have any patience for those who use their religious beliefs and ideas of conformity as an excuse to be nasty to others. Relationships are a very personal thing, and that includes the relationship (or non-relationship) we have with the deity of our choosing.<br />The Project Queen; Stargazing Voyagershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03948237916319757583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-86490331731889910842012-12-24T14:31:57.015-05:002012-12-24T14:31:57.015-05:00Interesting opinions. I never thought about sewing...Interesting opinions. I never thought about sewing as 'rogue' for me it is just fun and creative - but then I am lucky that I can usually express myself in RTW clothing with my own personal twist. <br /><br />I have more of a marketing perspective on this. If you are projecting the image you want to project in accordance with your current life goals, and you're fine with whatever response you get, then you are successful. <br /><br />However, I think trying to go too far outside the norm for your overall life choices/goals can be defeating. What visual image do you expect when you first meet your new financial advisor? Is it the same as your hairdresser? Probably not. <br /><br />As much as we say we wish it were otherwise, it IS helpful that there are boxes to put people in. How do we enjoy 'going rogue' if there are no fashion 'looks' or age/gender expectations? Presenting an image is communication. Theater is the perfect example of this. Dressing 'in character' as it were. <br /><br />Like Kristel said, for many people, using the current mold and conforming is easy and pleasant. Developing a unique personal style is a lot more effort. Using the Current Look with a few personalized accessories is much easier. <br /><br />I think a lot of people 'go rogue' without really thinking about what they are communicating to others, then are upset by the reactions they get. If you know your job won't allow certain things, well, unless you've got a better one lined up, it may be best for a while to choose a more job-acceptable way to express yourself while you look for a better fit. We all make choices. <br /><br />We are lucky that we have so many choices. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11563230869151812456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-46593009591142251742012-12-24T07:59:22.133-05:002012-12-24T07:59:22.133-05:00I have what I think is a very simple beauty concep...I have what I think is a very simple beauty concept. Whatever I wear I want it to flatter naturally. I don't want it to distract anyone from who I am 'inside' as a person because I want to be known. I want someone to notice the way I love nature or my intelligence - not my cleavage, my makeup, or some crazy fashion. What I wear, what I do with my hair should not compete with people seeing 'me'. I like the idea of sexy as an intriguing undertone – like a slight whiff of perfume. One of the things that I love about sewing is that I can make something exactly the way I want it - my taste - my style. I'm not rebelling, I'm just using it as a vehicle to express my individuality and my creativity. That’s what I think style is about. I think that conforming to any mold allows one to blend in and feel accepted which can be pleasant superficially. And outrageous expression - while fun for a while, can be distracting – like graffiti on a beautiful structure. I am not my clothes, my hair, or my makeup. What is loved about me is who I am on the inside. I think the choices I make should be an expression of self-love. Without self-esteem fashion/style can become a parody. Kristelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-42664293339744206002012-12-24T03:34:53.870-05:002012-12-24T03:34:53.870-05:00Jenn, sounds like your daughter is lucky to have s...Jenn, sounds like your daughter is lucky to have such an understanding mom! Forcing her to wear a dress isn't going to change her current view, but it is sure to piss her off! You are giving her the space to grow into her own version of feminine beauty. In her own way, she is expressing herself!Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02584083690841154385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-9876340156158107112012-12-23T22:03:00.477-05:002012-12-23T22:03:00.477-05:00Spot on, Gertie! I'm 65 and fed up with the pr...Spot on, Gertie! I'm 65 and fed up with the pressure to dye my hair to cover the grey so I just said "stuff it" and couldn't be happier with the result. I've always made my own clothes and love to be different so when everyone is all decolletage and mini skirts I would go all Victorian and vice versa. I know what you mean though about what people (read men) who assign a set of behaviour to how you're dressed - sometimes it's hilarious but mostly objectionable.<br /><br />Keep up the good work. Hope you have a wonderful festive season and a brilliant 2013.Corinnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14031850978654832509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-77202677551594103182012-12-23T18:45:12.132-05:002012-12-23T18:45:12.132-05:00G ~ thanks for continuing the conversation about b...G ~ thanks for continuing the conversation about beauty/anti-beauty. Years ago I decided to let my graying hair be gray ~ and was routinely criticized by family and friends. I've never bowed down to fashion ~ I make clothes that I like. They fit and they are comfortable. Isn't that all I needLesliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12075899144165854069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-8651854706129455642012-12-23T17:41:46.333-05:002012-12-23T17:41:46.333-05:00I definitely see where you're coming from. I w...I definitely see where you're coming from. I wore my hair in a mohawk style for a bit, with the sides shaved to the skin. I suppose I was making a statement, but I wasn't sexualized. No one asked me if I was a Suicide Girl. (I'm not thin, so that probably has a lot to do with it.) In fact, I was on a dating site with my profile picture being one with my hawk, and I did not get a lot of responses. I'm told (by the guy who did respond and I'm still dating) that I was a little intimidating. After hearing that, I realized that that was a message I wanted to send. It's sort of a barrier. I want(ed) to be *slightly* unapproachable.MaggleBishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13184116728566243694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-18813301922587140932012-12-23T07:10:39.558-05:002012-12-23T07:10:39.558-05:00and you could just look like an old hag from your ...and you could just look like an old hag from your nasty attitude.jenableshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16207196295857100429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-55304550602885016912012-12-23T04:08:28.042-05:002012-12-23T04:08:28.042-05:00This is kinda why I started sewing clothes, it has...This is kinda why I started sewing clothes, it has done wonders for my body image. I think it would be so very important to teach sewing to girls in school, so they grow up knowing an alternative to standing in a shop and feeling awful because non of the clothes won't fit well and look good on their non-standard body. The concept of making clothes fit your body rather than make your body fit the clothes should be something we fight for. Awesome topic to bring to people's attention, you rock Gretchen!lovesonichttp://einmaedchenfueralles.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-29201010843278717152012-12-23T01:51:43.081-05:002012-12-23T01:51:43.081-05:00I was a pioneer in the body-piercing movement in o...I was a pioneer in the body-piercing movement in our city (Toronto) back in the day (early 90s) and I completely lost interest in it after it went mainstream and every little bimbo was having her navel done. Sure I made good money, but it no longer interested me, and I eventually dumped the "hole business". I guess you could say "hoist with one's own petard!" And I am an even more radical rebel: I don't dye my hair at all! Knowing what I do about the state of the world's drinking water (bad) I decided I couldn't justify the waste and pollution of this precious resource for my own vanity.Sufiyanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-42333317796063470782012-12-22T23:39:31.529-05:002012-12-22T23:39:31.529-05:00Amen! I think sewing circumvent a whole host of so...Amen! I think sewing circumvent a whole host of social conventions in an often times non-confrontational way and that suits me just fine. So, be it pink hair or homemade kids clothes, it is all escaping some expectation of society for what is acceptable....because acceptable is defined by the forces that are looking to make a buck! melissa q. at a happy stitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16281573615159433959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-11746826584490077962012-12-22T23:32:12.736-05:002012-12-22T23:32:12.736-05:00I've been quietly against-the-mainstream-for-f...I've been quietly against-the-mainstream-for-femininity for a while now, basically since I left my all-girls high school. By 20, I had friends telling me they liked my style. I lost it a bit for a while and did the society-expects-this-of-you regime for a while, and I'm back to whatever-I-want-to-be. I could do more for my own style, which is something I'm (again) quietly working on. Thanks for posting about this Gertie :)LizzieBeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18346350097817031711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-84820639059839533322012-12-22T10:44:10.738-05:002012-12-22T10:44:10.738-05:00Hey.
For some people clothes are just functional, ...Hey.<br />For some people clothes are just functional, for many,particularly women, they are deeply tied to societal body image issues. However, I think what this discussion is missing is the concept of clothing as art. This extends to hair color and other forms of body adornment. Gertie, you appear to be a highly visual, artistic person. I think you enjoy creating visual beauty, and use yourself as a canvas for expression. Your art, as good art does, has the effect of stirring up issues of tradition, beauty, and societal norms. It is also open to multiple interpretations.Nora Morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05175032416558574885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-26222898690041175392012-12-22T06:58:17.375-05:002012-12-22T06:58:17.375-05:00My husband proudly describes my style as geriatric...My husband proudly describes my style as geriatric toddler- and it definitley is a response to the regimentation of my work field. I trid dyeing my hair pink about 5 years ago and was politely informd that I had 48 hours to return to a 'traditional color' and a copy of policy traped to my monitor. Rock the pink for those of us that can't!!! prttynpnkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16513331416653286924noreply@blogger.com