Why I dislike the fashionistas, but tolerate them

[peacetraveler22]

When we begin to compare ourselves to others, almost nothing good can come from it. There will always be someone we perceive as more beautiful, more intelligent, or more charismatic and accomplished. It took years for me to just accept who I am, which I think is a good, intelligent and compassionate human being. I don't read blogs about fashion because I really have no positive emotions toward this industry. Despite the mind tricks they play, I think one of the core foundations of this business is to make women feel inferior, not fantastic or worthy.

Almost all magazines or billboards depict glossy images of females with the most perfect genetics on the planet, sculpted bone structure, and often very unrealistic body frames. It's a fantasy world, and while I'm a dreamer, I prefer to live in reality in some cases, and appearance is one of them. I think people are most beautiful in their natural state, without all kinds of artificial painting and accessories. It somehow distorts the core essence of a being, and for me presents an added layer to peel back. I'm most attracted to humans in a more raw state, both physically and emotionally. Not those who hide behind fabricated illusions.

You can look at many scandals online and see that these visions of "beauty" generated by the fashion industry are also mere fabrications, created with the click of a mouse through Photoshop - cellulite wiped clean, a fleshy stomach smoothed and sculpted, the list of physical alterations is really endless, and they seriously warp the confidence of too many young girls, leading them to all types of eating disorders and neuroses about appearance. I find the behavior of these fashion industry beasts to be disgusting, and for this reason, I've never been a fashionista or given a damn about expensive brand clothing, handbags and similar things. Not in my 20's, and not now in my 40's. I understand some people get some type of satisfaction or euphoria from such things, and it is their right, but to say I have some relation to this mentality would be a complete lie.

I was reminded of this recently when one of my lawyer friends posted the image of a model wearing a pair of high-priced red sunglasses. I think they cost around $350, and I wrote to her that from a distance, it would be difficult to tell them apart from the free glasses I wore in San Antonio, when I viewed a 3D movie. These glasses were likely covered in all kinds of germs, snot from children and other unhygienic nightmares, but the movie was awesome and memorable. :) Of course, eyes and sight are precious gifts and worth protecting with quality eye wear, but $350!?! Is it really necessary?

People work very hard for their money, and if they're lucky enough to have some left over after bills are paid, they should spend it as they wish. My money goes mostly for basic necessities, and spare funds are directed to only two things - travel and music/concerts. Each time I hear a male lawyer in my office complaining about the price he paid for a new handbag his diva craved, my head spins and I think about how many trips I could have taken for $2,000. How many new places and people I could've encountered, and whether a $2,000 purse is really that much better in quality than the $40 one I carry?

That's it. :) There's no real point to the post, except to show this funny picture collage and express my views about a topic that's important to many women, but not all. In the world, there's room for both types of females, and male suitors all over the globe are actively pursing each. With a lot of passion and vigor. :)

Btw, I also wear make-up on occasion, put on dresses and heels, and like artistic photo shoots. But if a man should demand that I look this way everyday, he's definitely not the man for me. Because I'm really just a jeans and t-shirts kind of gal, ready to pick up and go on a grand journey to some exotic, remote corner of the world at a moment's notice...and heels hinder mobility in such places. :)

Have a great weekend!

Comments

[saccovanzetti.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree with you more on wearing makeup in private romantic encounters. However, I believe there is certain "safe viewing distance" for makeup in more formal situations that warrants its use - primarily so that imperfections of a human face would not get ahead of a substance of (business) interaction with a person, for superficial agents like myself.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Are you a man? If so, what type of insecurities are pounded into the male neuroses from an early age? I really can't think of that many from a societal standpoint. Men have it easier in this regard, or maybe I just can't relate because I'm a woman. :)

[saccovanzetti.livejournal.com]

Oh, I think it is much more than cultural conditioning. There is something instilled in us from birth than trained our ancestors to recognize a "healthy" looking face from unhealthy one, a more attractive one for genetic variety of our posterity from less attractive due to possible inbreeding. Childhood and upbringing can amplify or soften these perceptions, but I think they are much more primordial than we like to think.

[saccovanzetti.livejournal.com]

On the subject of neuroses and insecurities instilled in girls: you are right that following fashion industry of applying daily tons of makeup could be feeding to the poor perception of herself and be psychologically detrimental to a person. And you could even make a point that it is society's at large obligation to alleviate this problem and be less superficial. However, when you consider individual woman's chances of success in certain situations, they could be improved by makeup. That's all I am saying (see above comment for why it could be very difficult to reverse it).

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yep, what you wrote is correct. However, a woman can create her own chances, and do things to increase the probability of success. I've done it my entire life. If you're less attractive, sometimes you just have to work harder. That's all. :) Personally, I do not use any type of sexuality to get things, at least not consciously. It's the most classic form of manipulation and control. Men do it mostly with money and power; women, with fucking. It is just the way of the world, but there are always exceptions on both sides. :))

[saccovanzetti.livejournal.com]

This reminded me of a funny situation that happened 20 years ago. We had a PhD student, a very nice, purpose-driven, diligent, responsible and fun woman. One of her projects was to use a laser focused on a tiny needle sample, a few dozen atoms wide. Someone with knowledge had told her that laser spot is about 1 micron in size, to which she responded that she would work harder and make it much smaller. It was quite funny, because she did not realize there was fundamental limit based on wavelength of laser light that determined the smallest size of that spot.

Needless to say, she quit graduate school and became an attorney. Her husband is a brilliant mathematician, maybe a genius...

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

"fundamental limit based on wavelength of laser light that determined the smallest size of that spot.." I would not understand it either. Perhaps that's why I'm also an attorney, just like her. :)) Scientists and mathematicians - their minds work in very unique ways, and I'm very honored that so many people from these fields read my blog. I take it as a huge compliment. :)

I'm overall a pleasant, down to earth, and open person. This personality puts most people at ease, not on guard. It really goes a long way in business relations and life. Extraordinary looks - they are just an initial advantage, and are rarely beneficial long term, when you prove to be incapable, unloving, or just stupid. Perhaps in sexual or romantic relationships, men have a much higher tolerance threshold, but not in my law firm. Numerous beauties have come and gone as secretaries, after making only one idiotic mistake.