Friday, February 8, 2013

Be A Man (Challenge)

It's true that you don't really know someone until you've walked in their shoes.  Or heels.  Despite my natural inclination toward femininity, I never realized numerous things about women and their lives until I started putting on dresses and high heels.  Things you take for granted, like your posture in heels, the confining nature of tight clothes, and the joys and headaches of makeup are alien to most men.

I've found the process both rewarding and insightful.  For example, when I showed you my favorite male shirt earlier this week and clever commentors dared me to wear it the way a woman would, I did -- and learned interesting things while having a great deal of fun.

I want to reverse that process and offer you the same opportunity.  Here's my challenge.  Dress up as a man.  Yes, a man!  You don't have to go outside if you're scared but put on men's clothes to see what they feel like.  You'll be surprised at how much you'll grasp, intuitively and emotionally.  It will be a major growth experience for you.

There are no rules.  If you have a bf or hubby, raid their closet.  If not, try a blazer and pants.  If you have enthusiasm, pick up real men's clothes at a thrift store for $3.

I know most people aren't as adventurous as I am, but I promise you that you'll find the experience incredible.  You will feel different.  People will react to you different.  And imagine the comments on your blog!

You can wear makeup if you wish but keep it neutral.  Pull your hair back or hide it under a hat.  Wear flats, preferably lace-ups that are big and clunky.  Don't worry about style -- few men do.

There's no time limit on the challenge.  I'll post a link to anyone brave enough to participate.  Go, go, go!  Use your imagination and have some fun.  Here's an example of what you could look like...


22 comments:

  1. I like this !
    Will send you the pictures as soon as i get to it, most likely this weekend :)

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  2. I feel like I've been doing this to an extent all winter long. Another thing to note, is how exposed and well, COLD women's clothing is, even when you layer up. I may have a women's fitted shirt underneath all my layers, but what people see of me on my daily walking/bus commute, is beat-up CAT workboot shoes, jeans, and a men's carhart jacket. I do wear a paisley scarf and wear my hair loose (but more for warmth than to give me some feminity). I'm counting the days until it's warm enough I can put on my dresses again!

    I think the results of your challenge could be very interesting, because even though women's clothing has many 'inspired-by menswear' looks, the pieces are still fitted and feminine. Adorning straight-out men's clothes is going to give a different effect even than a woman wearing a pantsuit.

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    1. So true. Menswear for women is always fitted and stylish, whereas menswear for men is usually boxy and rough.

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  3. I'm game! Except that my hubby actually has style (cultivated by me, but natural inclination by him) so he has some awesome clothes!

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    1. I had him in mind when I chose "most" men instead of "all" men. He's got style!

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  4. So cool! I sort-of did this once. I did a series of outfits based on Rivers Cuomo's (lead singer of Weezer) style. I did end up using my own clothes though. I have worn a few of Kyle's items on a rare occasion, I might have to raid his closet again. :D

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  5. OK, so I did this for Halloween once. I am totally doing a post with a pic and I will send you the link.

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  6. I've done this! I dressed as a boy when my BFF was transitioning to help him feel more comfortable. I was pretty successful because I got "sir'd" a bunch that night. Admittedly, I wish I had a bit more of a feminine face so I could wear more masculine clothes without feeling... masculine? I love suits, I love the structure of men's wear. I love the higher quality of fabrics. I wish I were tall and lanky. Alas I'm petite and sorta curvy, so I rock what works for me.

    But I'm game! I'm going to spend the evening playing dress up!

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    1. Oh boy! Can't wait to see what you come up with.

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  7. Oh this is fun! I like menswear - I can do this one!

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    1. Go, Beth, go! And it's permissible to drink beer while you're exploring your boy side.

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  8. I had to laugh at your advice that few men worry about style. I don't think my shape can be flattened into manly submission so I think I'll give this challenge a miss. I used to love looking boyish and androgynous when I was a small teenager though.

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  9. I'd raid my boyfriends clothes, except hes like ten times bigger than me, lol. mine would just be my pair of mens shorts and a band t-shirt probably. Depending on my mood in the summer, I either look super girly, or boyish.

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  10. I actually have a photo of myself dressed as a man from when I was younger. I'll try to get it posted this weekend.

    Great challenge, Ally!

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  11. Oh my gosh I have definitely done this on more than one occasion! I never pull off looking like a guy, but I will certainly dress like one anyways, because I can't say no to a challenge! =]

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  12. Hi, Ally, I've been meaning to visit, but just read Megan Mae's post on your challenge so this seemed like a good time. As I commented on her blog, I did this once for Halloween and felt stifled because I couldn't flirt with guys! I like a little androgyny, but it does make me uncomfortable to be seen as the opposite sex. I'm not overtly girly, so I feel like I have to cling to what I have!

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Val, and sharing your perspective. This challenge is, of course, only for those who want to try it.

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  13. Here I did it already (I couldn't wait):

    http://broken-into-beautiful.blogspot.com/2013/02/walk-like-man.html

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  14. I would love to try this! Going to borrow a few items from the boyfriend and see what I can do! :)

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  15. I want to play!! I WANT TO PLAY TOO!!!

    Of course, if I had a choice of a man that I'd like to dress like, he would be Gerard Way, and I just don't have the wig for that.

    Oh god. I NEED to buy a wig for that. BRB.

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  16. Great post this, I wonder how many will participate?

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