Can fashion be a form of tenderness toward the body?

I’ve been wondering whether fashion can be a form of tenderness toward the body, rather than just a way of being seen by others.

I love dresses - when the weather allows, often short ones. I don’t wear them for others, or at least not always. Mostly, I wear them because I feel good in them: beautiful, comfortable, at ease with myself.

There’s a very simple, wild part of me - I can run barefoot through grass, sand, or mud without worrying about getting dirty, smiling the whole time. And at the same time, I love a girlish look, sensuality, softness. That contrast probably describes me best.

Most of the time, the way I dress and take care of myself feels like an act of tenderness toward my own body, not something done for display. Though there are moments when I genuinely enjoy being looked at - however vain that may sound.

I’m curious how you feel about it. Is clothing, for you, a form of self-expression, a way of caring for your body, or more of a dialogue with the outside world and other people’s gazes? Where do you draw the line?

 

I won't pretend to know how everyone feels. But for me, there are times that certain types of clothe have profound emotional and pschological effects on me.

The most frequent, and the one I personally tink everyone feels, is after a long or particularly difficult day, stripping off your day to day wear and slipping into a comfortable pair of pajamas, or and old pair of shorts and a t-shirt are majorly cathartic. By the same token, Dressing Up, and appearing more sharp and drawing attention with a new suit or as people term it, dressing to impress can be a confidence booster. Of course, even if you arne't usually confident about how your body looks, wearing something that highlights or accentuates your best features can make you feel good.

The old saying is, "Clothes Make the Man." Is true in many ways.Clothing and the accessories that go with them are our Egos. Even somethign as small as a new watch, or a Hat you have wanted for a long time, or that simple, cheap pin that shows your love of a sports team, or an emblem of membership to an exclusive club or event like a Museum alumni, gives us a rush of endorphins, even in small amounts. We thrive on things that make us personally feel good.