Permanent Fashion Choices
June 18th 2009 06:05
The plight of the Belgian girl with unwanted facial tattoos which recently broke on the news got me thinking. Firstly about why no one is questioning the validity of her story – I can’t sleep through my neighbours arguing let alone someone sticking needles in my face – but secondly about body art and how it’s almost a form of fashion, definitely accessories, and what makes someone want to commit to that particular accessory permanently.
I get that body art is exactly that – art, and that art plays a huge role in fashion, but fashion pivots around trends and seasons and that’s an acknowledgement that people’s tastes change periodically. If we were forced to wear a particular colour, or a particular style of dress for several weeks let alone months or years, most of us would curl up and die in fashion horror. Yet the commitment made to body art is exactly that. One design, forever. Or in the case of the Starry Faced Belgian, until she can afford the laser surgery needed to remove it.
Both fashion and let’s call it body fashion, are very strong expressions of who you are, and to a great extent, are responsible for projecting what you want people to think of you. As much as the majority of fashionistas will say they dress for themselves, and I wholeheartedly believe that if you think you look good, you do look better than if you get about thinking you’re Quasimodo’s twin, realistically if we were always dressing for ourselves, our at home get ups would make their way outside. And I for one will not be sporting my pink tracksuit with the word “Sexy” emblazoned across the posterior section anywhere but my living room, which proves my point. So in that sense, adorning yourself with body art is also a way to communicate to others about who you are and what your taste is like.
Unlike most fashion, I accept that body fashion can have sentimental meaning. Men would be unlikely to get about in a t-shirt that says “Sally forever” yet having that tattooed across a bicep is much more acceptable. Similarly I know a girl whose entire family got matching butterfly tattoos when her mother passed away in recognition of her Mum’s affinity for them. This form of fashion I understand, something you never want to part with and that has significant meaning. At the risk of sounding shallow in comparison, I do have fabulous clothes from years ago that I won't part with despite the fact I will never don them again, and it’s the same sentiment that drives most girls to refuse to part with their wedding dresses.
But these are exceptional cases, and in day to day terms, I for one do not really understand why body fashion is viewed so incredibly differently to fashion-fashion. And sadly for the new star out of Belgium, she is learning the difference first hand!
I get that body art is exactly that – art, and that art plays a huge role in fashion, but fashion pivots around trends and seasons and that’s an acknowledgement that people’s tastes change periodically. If we were forced to wear a particular colour, or a particular style of dress for several weeks let alone months or years, most of us would curl up and die in fashion horror. Yet the commitment made to body art is exactly that. One design, forever. Or in the case of the Starry Faced Belgian, until she can afford the laser surgery needed to remove it.
Both fashion and let’s call it body fashion, are very strong expressions of who you are, and to a great extent, are responsible for projecting what you want people to think of you. As much as the majority of fashionistas will say they dress for themselves, and I wholeheartedly believe that if you think you look good, you do look better than if you get about thinking you’re Quasimodo’s twin, realistically if we were always dressing for ourselves, our at home get ups would make their way outside. And I for one will not be sporting my pink tracksuit with the word “Sexy” emblazoned across the posterior section anywhere but my living room, which proves my point. So in that sense, adorning yourself with body art is also a way to communicate to others about who you are and what your taste is like.
Unlike most fashion, I accept that body fashion can have sentimental meaning. Men would be unlikely to get about in a t-shirt that says “Sally forever” yet having that tattooed across a bicep is much more acceptable. Similarly I know a girl whose entire family got matching butterfly tattoos when her mother passed away in recognition of her Mum’s affinity for them. This form of fashion I understand, something you never want to part with and that has significant meaning. At the risk of sounding shallow in comparison, I do have fabulous clothes from years ago that I won't part with despite the fact I will never don them again, and it’s the same sentiment that drives most girls to refuse to part with their wedding dresses.
But these are exceptional cases, and in day to day terms, I for one do not really understand why body fashion is viewed so incredibly differently to fashion-fashion. And sadly for the new star out of Belgium, she is learning the difference first hand!
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Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
The Mama Sutra
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
A few years ago I played with the idea of getting a southern cross tattoo, and am now so very glad that I didn't, as it's become a symbol of Aussie 'boganism' and racism. I still love the image of those stars, but only in the night sky. Two of my girlfriends have tattoos, and both say they regret getting them. Perhaps when they come up with a kind of tattoo that fades to nothing after five years, I'll be interested...... until then, I'll stick with expressing myself visually through the clothes I wear.
I love your writing Jez - I think some pics would really make this blog stand out also (if you don't mind suggestions).
Comment by JEz
Life according to Jane
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