Who are we dressing for? I found myself asking this question when I stepped into the local club, the Haunt, last night. I had a great time out on the town, dancing the night away with my friends, but couldn't stop thinking that when I looked to the bar and then to the dance floor, that all I saw from wall to wall were young women wearing almost nothing. Last night, it was my turn to be the designated driver, so being sober, I could understand what was happening around me. I wasn't surprised, but instead saddened by these girls wearing such revealing clothing. I felt as though with their clothing (or lack of) they were sending out bad messages about themselves and women in general.
When I saw this, what I thought of most was a section from Feminism is for Everybody by Bell Hooks, which I had just read for homework early in the day. When reading this book, the idea that stuck out in my mind the most, was the idea that feminism isn't undermined most by men, but by the women who still uphold sexist beliefs and behaviors. The way these girls were dressing is not how women want to be portrayed. We want to come across as confident and capable, not easy and degrading.
I am not against women getting dressed up in a pretty dress and heels, having a few drinks, and going out dancing with their friends. It is a lot of fun! These girls however crossed the line with the dressing, the drinks, and the dancing. I saw a girl throw up in the sink, numerous skirts that were barely covering enough, and close to fornication happening on the dance floor. And the saddest part was seeing the guys looking for these girls. I saw them scanning the dance floor waiting to see one without a partner. So are these girls dressing and acting like this for the attention of guys? Or is it because it is the social norm in college?
The saddest moment of the night though, was watching a girl stumble out the front door of the club being consoled by her friends. She was crying because she believed that she looked fat in her dress and that's why no boys danced with her.
