So, this showed up on my Facebook feed.

It immediately got my hackles up and raised (what are hackles anyway?) because of the religious overtones, but I mean, I used to think like this, so lets spend a few minutes here.

First of all, I don’t think we should judge people by how they dress. Obviously, we do - it’s a huge part of our culture, really - but it doesn’t mean it’s something we  should do. There are a number of things to consider when it comes to how people dress, personal taste perhaps least of all. Where you live, your access to transport, your ability to pay for clothes, and your body all factor into how you dress. I am pleasantly plump myself, relatively tall with a very large chest. It costs me over a hundred dollars to buy a bra. I went shopping with my boyfriend the other day, and there was exactly one store in the mall that carried shorts that would fit him comfortably, and two pairs of said shorts cost more than my four items of clothing from Old Navy combined. It is not always cheap for everyone to dress themselves. If we lived in a smaller city we might even have to travel to buy clothing that fits, and that’s definitely expensive, and difficult considering neither of us drive. 

Considering body types, it should be noted that busty gals more often get told they are dressing immodestly because (gasp) YOU CAN SEE OUR BREASTS. Well, unfortunately, tents aren’t in this year. My breasts have been visible under most of my clothing since I was fourteen or so. I find tank tops to be incredibly comfortable, since they allow for so much freedom of movement, but with my body there is always going to be cleavage, no matter how well-intentioned I may be. There’s very little I can do about it, nor should I feel ashamed about my body and pressured to cover it up.

I think the feminist point that women are pretty much singularly blamed of dressing immodestly (has anyone ever heard someone accuse a man of this?) is fairly self-evident.

In addition to judging people because of how they dress, we tend to carry on and treat people differently because of their appearance. However, I do think it’s ultimately true that good people are nice to individuals regardless of what they are (or aren’t) wearing. “Real men” treat women with respect if they’re naked, if they’re wearing clothes that don’t cover a great deal, or if they’re wearing parkas. 

Maybe if we were naked more often and in more places, people would get the hell over seeing skin. 

Thoughts?