Safe or sexy?
What would you choose to wear if someone asked you to dip into your closet and be photographed in two outfits, one sexy and one safe? How would you feel in each outfit?
Photojournalist Sarah Hughes travelled across Canada, and asked women to choose, and comment on their two images. Her photo essay, "Safe and Sexy" was published in 2006 in The Walrus, and is available here.
The results evoke "before and after" magazine features and archives Hughes studied when she worked at The Smithsonian. Women of varying ages and backgrounds explore their self-images and willingness to conform or challenge the way the world looks at them.
The issue of womens' dressing to attract, or dressing to deflect the gaze of others pertains to issues of violence, sexism and ageism. When we select an item of clothing, we make a second decision about who we are and what we show the world.
Thank you, Sarah Huges, for your thoughtful and provocative work.
Comments
And for women, as LBR reminds us, safety has been used as a whip to keep women in place.
At least,Ms. Hughes gets us thinking about this issues -- I just wish she'd broaden the options.
I choose things for the touch of the fabric against my skin- am I sensual to my body and what my body feels and needs- sometimes I like light clothes- other times something heavier- asexual perhaps- a strong look as LBR said but strong to me- a sort of epoxy of my outer shell- when I need holding together-lol
I did have a very rude man approach me at home in Dingle, Ireland- a total stranger who was angry that I, an Irish woman was setting back society and women hundreds of years by chooosing my Hunter boots(I had just come from a 'dig')I suppose instead of some strappy little high heels that said what? we had evolved-Did I need to prove that? maybe in my soul I haven't evolved-I am me clinging onto the DNA of my foremothers and fathers- I feel it is all about comfort and sometimes by accident a silk Ghost UK shirt and a pencil thin grey skirt that hits just below my knee and plain leather high heels can allow me to feel sensual but, for me- If someone passing by loves the art I project I am happy for them.
I think she was contrasting attracting the interested (or potentially interested) gaze and deflecting it: what we choose when we make that conscious decision.
And I agree it isn't binary. Sometimes we want some attention to our sexual attributes, but not too much, or attention from some persons but not others.
I think this is a highly complex issue with all sorts of factors to consider such as age, culture, sexuality as well as psychological factors. The research needs more depth and rigour if it is to come to any meaningful conclusion.