So, I’ve always been the girl who preferred jeans over a dress. I remember spending my childhood wearing ruffled dresses and being “so cute” in church but as I got older, I finally told my mom that I can’t wear them anymore. Little did she know, that really meant more than just not wearing them…I grew up in the (Southern) Baptist family, you wore dresses, sandals and did not complain.
If you ask my dad, he will tell you, I have always been his little girl who wanted the latest pair of Jordans, Timberlands and to watch football over a dress and Disney movies. Funny thing is, now he is on the soapbox about this “not being me”…How can someone tell you who you are? At the age 24, I can tell you how many times I’ve worn a dress, 4 since I was 16. PROM & WEDDINGS only! Even then I feel so weird, out of place, exposed and creepy. I often get the “you look so adorable; you should dress up more often”…umm NO. I can be adorable in my jeans, nice fitting shirt, a hoodie and converses. Clothes doesn’t make the person; the person makes the person…or so i thought?
I recently came out to my family and while I am pretty sure they think I am just talk. Their other actions say otherwise. Every day I hear the same thing, “You always wear the same thing” “Why do you act so tomboy like”….My response usually is” It’s just me and I am comfortable”…I don’t like labels. I can be feminine in my jeans and I can be comfortable, Just because I chose to be comfortable it doesn’t mean that I am less of a woman. I don’t remember there ever being a book to how to dress, express and be yourself but society has apparently written one. If you are a woman, you are supposed to act like a woman and dress like woman…it is not okay to wear Reebox, Converse and gym shoes. It is not okay to only wear jeans, sweat pants and gym shorts..
SADLY, I never read that book. It’s been pushed in my face every day, but I have never taken the time to give it a thought. I am who I am and i am comfortable. So to anyone else dealing with this or feel trapped by clothes. YOU ARE NOT THE CLOTHES, IT DOESN’T MAKE YOU WHO YOU ARE, YOU are WHO YOU ARE in whatever makes you comfortable. Own your truth. Live your truth. Wear your truth.
-Converse Lesbian
I recently came out to my family and while I am pretty sure they think I am just talk. Their other actions say otherwise. Every day I hear the same thing, “You always wear the same thing” “Why do you act so tomboy like”….My response usually is” It’s just me and I am comfortable”…I don’t like labels. I can be feminine in my jeans and I can be comfortable, Just because I chose to be comfortable it doesn’t mean that I am less of a woman. I don’t remember there ever being a book to how to dress, express and be yourself but society has apparently written one. If you are a woman, you are supposed to act like a woman and dress like woman…it is not okay to wear Reebox, Converse and gym shoes. It is not okay to only wear jeans, sweat pants and gym shorts..
SADLY, I never read that book. It’s been pushed in my face every day, but I have never taken the time to give it a thought. I am who I am and i am comfortable. So to anyone else dealing with this or feel trapped by clothes. YOU ARE NOT THE CLOTHES, IT DOESN’T MAKE YOU WHO YOU ARE, YOU are WHO YOU ARE in whatever makes you comfortable. Own your truth. Live your truth. Wear your truth.
-Converse Lesbian