body policing<very ranty>

[aurelemsrealm]

People should try to wear clothes that look reasonable on them. They are only inviting ridicule if they don't. That's just common sense. Unfortunately, common sense is not so common. I wear what's comfortable for me, which is generally a casual t-shirt and jeans. The only time I deviate from that is as required for workplace dress codes, or formal situations which require me to dress up.

On the other hand, everyone has opinions. Having an opinion doesn't mean it's necessary or even appropriate to openly state it. That's another matter of common sense. Again, common sense is not so common. I frequently find myself biting my tongue because I'm highly opinionated, but I also realize that speaking my mind may well create more drama than it's worth.

Here are a couple of my strongly held opinions in regards to appearance:

• Skimpy or revealing clothing rarely looks good on anyone. Some things are better left a mystery.
• Excessive tattoos and piercings just look trashy and digusting. I have no tattoos or piercings because I don't want them. If you want them, that's your decision. I just don't find tattoos and piercings flattering on most people.
• Make up and jewelry are best used sparingly. Too much make up or jewelry just looks tacky.

Again, these are just my own opinions on personal appearance. Don't ask me what I think, and I won't be compelled to tell you my opinion.

[AdminAssistant]

Fiance and I were looking at cosplay pictures from Comic Con and there were a few times that we looked at each other and said, "Well, that's unfortunate" but that was usually more of a poorly executed design issue (i.e. wrapping fake knives around your hands with an ace bandage isn't the best way to do Wolverine). Or the guy who went as the Silver Surfer but didn't wear anything to um...well...um...let's just say his little surfboard was highly visible. But I have great sympathy for the overweight female cosplayers. There just aren't many female characters in anime/video games that aren't thin, buxom, and scantily clad. We just finished watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and I kept thinking, "Wow, it would be fun for us to go as Lt. Hawkeye and Col. Mustang for Halloween!" and then I thought..."Oh, yeah. We're overweight." (And if I were going solo, I'd prefer Gen. Armstrong...but still....) And they're fully dressed women!

And even if I were to get up the courage to put together a costume...I'd be so afraid of the people who would see me and snark about me on the internet. Or post a picture to one of the many blogs out there dedicated to that kind of thing. Hell, I haven't gone out on Halloween for years for that very reason.

In terms of bikini tops/bathing suits, at this time of year it's really not all that surprising, especially if you're near an area with a public pool.

[guywithashovel]

You really need to be careful when cracking jokes that take shots at certain groups of people. It may very well just be harmless fun, and you may not mean anything bad by it, but you never know how that's going to affect someone else.

[kibbles]

To be fair, anyone would look bad wearing clothes too small for them. A size 6 trying to squeeze into a size 2 is just as bad as a size 14 trying to squeeze into a size 10. No one should be expected to cover up or just wear a certain type of clothes, but people should wear the size they fit into.

[BlaqueKatt]

Dude.
I feel that implication (notice I am not saying you've said it outright) is incredibly insulting.

"LOOK! You could do this to someone if you don't stop being mean!" is both emotionally manipulative and disrespectful<snip>which is what BK implied with her post. That's why I took umbrage to it.

actually since you're going to accuse me of something, I'd like to know how you read my mind, as I pretty much work in a faraday cage. Oh yeah, see what assuming does?

go back and re-read my post(and I'll paraphrase, as you seem to be unable to grasp my point)-"everyone" was always upset when Plaid was insulted by someone that didn't know him, yet "everyone" thinks it's ok to make fun of someone you don't know, proven by doing it(I could get quotes from probably 10-15 different people from different threads doing just that). Think of how bad he felt and remember the person you're tempted to humiliate and ridicule will hurt as bad or worse, and guess what, people that know them will think you suck for harassing their friend without even knowing them.




I used Plaid as an example because he is pretty much the only person on CS or Fratching that ever posted about having negative things said about his appearance, every other poster on CS either "looks like a grade school student",(I'm 21,24, 30, but I look 12, 14,16) "gets hit on every five seconds"(seriously there is one poster that EVERY post has them getting hit on at least once, if not 3-4 times), or "has people old enough to be their parent" hitting on them when they look like a grade school student(OMG this guy said hi to me today, he was totally old enough to be my grandfather he was like 31, and OMG I look like a toddler, total pedo!), and are getting ht on every five minutes by every customer in the store, male and female-heck people walk by the store, see them and run into the store to propose marriage.

People should try to wear clothes that look reasonable on them. They are only inviting ridicule if they don't. That's just common sense.

No common sense says people should mind their own damn business, and not be concerned about what other people are wearing because it doesn't affect them AT ALL. Seriously, does what I'm wearing right now affect you?

but people should wear the size they fit into.

does it do you any real physical harm if they don't? Also some people can't afford to buy new clothes if they gain weight for whatever reason, such as, be athletic and get an injury that leaves you unable to do much, you'll gain weight. should you rush out and buy new clothes when you know once the injury is healed the weight will come off?When I was pregnant I couldn't afford to buy clothes that fit me, my now ex-husband made $1200 a month(hooray for military pay), I made less than $400, baby clothes are expensive, clothes for me weren't in the budget-I had one pair of pants that fit me-that's it. So when those were in the wash, guess what, I wore clothes that didn't fit-yup they were too tight-OMG! Planet is still here, apparently wearing ill-fitting clothes wasn't too earth-shattering now was it?

[the_std]

I see your point now, BK, but that is not how you came across in your original post. I thought your original tone was a lot more guilt-tripping than making any kind of valid point, hence why I reacted the way I did.

[kibbles]

does it do you any real physical harm if they don't? Also some people can't afford to buy new clothes if they gain weight for whatever reason, such as, be athletic and get an injury that leaves you unable to do much, you'll gain weight. should you rush out and buy new clothes when you know once the injury is healed the weight will come off?When I was pregnant I couldn't afford to buy clothes that fit me, my now ex-husband made $1200 a month(hooray for military pay), I made less than $400, baby clothes are expensive, clothes for me weren't in the budget-I had one pair of pants that fit me-that's it. So when those were in the wash, guess what, I wore clothes that didn't fit-yup they were too tight-OMG! Planet is still here, apparently wearing ill-fitting clothes wasn't too earth-shattering now was it?

I did not say or claim that it was earth shattering or that it did anyone physical harm. And there is a big difference between someone wearing clothes that are two tight versus trying to squeeze into clothes 3-4 sizes too small. JMO.

I am not merely talking about someone wearing too tight clothes, but people who attempt at whatever size they are to squeeze into clothes 3-4 sizes too small.

every other poster on CS either "looks like a grade school student",(I'm 21,24, 30, but I look 12, 14,16) "gets hit on every five seconds"(seriously there is one poster that EVERY post has them getting hit on at least once, if not 3-4 times), or "has people old enough to be their parent" hitting on them when they look like a grade school student(OMG this guy said hi to me today, he was totally old enough to be my grandfather he was like 31, and OMG I look like a toddler, total pedo!), and are getting ht on every five minutes by every customer in the store, male and female-heck people walk by the store, see them and run into the store to propose marriage.

This I totally agree 10000% with you!! I know there are some creeps and pervs (both male and female) that don't respect people or take no for an answer, but to listen to some people (I've found this on other boards) they are hit on every second and that every person who dares show interest is an automatic creep.

Like I said there are creeps and some stories I've heard make my skin crawl to know someone was subjected to that..but some people act like you can't even look at them.

[Nyoibo]

I think in a lot of those stories, people are just flattering themselves that they're being hit on, most of the time it's just people being polite and making small talk, I do it all the time, I might think someone's attractive when I'm talking to them, but trust me, I'm completely devoted to my GF and 100% not interested, usually they need to get over themselves.

And no one should be wearing clothes that require either lubricant of construction tools to get into.

[Andara Bledin]

I used Plaid as an example because he is pretty much the only person on CS or Fratching that ever posted about having negative things said about his appearance...

Not true at all.

Kisa has posted multiple threads this month alone about people giving her shit about how she looks. I seem to recall that Lupo has also had people give her shit. I know at least one of the UK C-store posters has also dealt with the same sort of thing as well. I'm sure I could find, without much effort, at least a dozen threads where the poster was ridiculed for something about their appearance, whether mocked for their weight, accused of having eating disorders, given shit for what they were wearing, treated like crap for having facial piercings... There are a plethora of CS regulars to choose from to use as examples.

^-.-^

[Boozy]

This I totally agree 10000% with you!! I know there are some creeps and pervs (both male and female) that don't respect people or take no for an answer, but to listen to some people (I've found this on other boards) they are hit on every second and that every person who dares show interest is an automatic creep.

She really hit the nail on the head with that one, didn't she?

I think I might start another thread on the subject.

[Amanita]

Overweight female cosplayer here!
One reason I like cosplaying as a Jedi is that the robes tend to be forgiving of many different figures, as long as they're well fitted. But on the cosplay message board I'm on, the hateful comments of strangers are discussed a LOT. Especially in regards to body size. The fact is, there's not a lot of choice for larger people, if we're confined to only dressing up as characters we look like. Add to that the unrealistic proportions of these anime/video game women (Not just bust/waist/hips, but height/length as well), and we're left with few options.

Now, I do agree that if you're on the fluffy side, than a costume featuring a thong or other skimpwear probably isn't the best choice- because those tend to showcase the parts of ourselves that are the greatest problems, figure-wise.

And yes, I agree with the whole hot weather=lose all modesty annoyance. There are some things I dont' want to see revealed on anyone, thin or fluffy. Call me a summertime heretic, I still wear long skirts or pants in public.

ps- that silver surfer needs to get himself a dancer's belt, stat!

[Tanasi]

I am and have always been a big believer in the Golden Rule: Treat others as you wish to be treated.

[SkullKing]

This is my take on it:

I think how people dress is their problem(escept in things like weddingds work, etc...)

I may think you are ugly, and especially ugly in the clothes you are wearing, but that is MY problem.

[protege]

Not true at all.

I've been made fun of because of my appearance most of my life. Between the glasses, braces, the fact I'm no athlete, and walk with a slight limp...I've heard all the comments over the years. You know how every school has one kid that everyone picks on? Yep, I was that kid...and that's probably why even now I don't exactly 'mesh' with most people. I keep to myself, in other words. And, I do know what it's like to be rejected because of the way you look--it fucking sucks

[Rebel]

I have another body issue that has caused me to get snide comments all my life.

I have very pale white skin.

Now, it's not quite at albino level, but my skin is very white, and if I try to tan, it seems to take 6 times longer than everyone else.
I'm far more likely to burn, blister, and peel than I am to tan.

And what made it even more sucky? Growing up in Western Australia, where it's desert, beach, and hot UV filled sun rays 10 months a year.

I absolutely detested wearing shorts and skirts simply because my legs would almost try to blind people with how white they were. Going to the beach or pool was even worse because you had to wear even less. And it was never helped by the fact that I liked to wear darker colours, making me look like a lazy goth.

Even now it's currently summer where I am. And guess who's still wearing jeans and capris? You would have thought that people would have matured since school days, but I still get a few snide comments like "Your legs are blinding me!" and "Holy fuck, you're as white as a corpse" if I walk around in anything short.

I'm very much looking forward to winter and the chance to rug up again.