I am acting a feminist in a play - how should I dress?

Question

I was chosen to be a feminist in a role in a play. But I've never meant a true feminist, the real hardcore ones. I'm supposed to be extremely feminist, mysterious, spiritual and anti-love, anti-men. I need to come up with a costume but I've never meant a feminist so I don't know if there's a certain way they dress? Like similarities. Such as shirts with a message or bulky pants to be conservative.
(and if somebody could also give me suggestions on how they act and walk like and also how they talk [low voice?], that'd be great)
Thanks! and I hope I haven't accidentally offended anybody in my ignorance by suggesting feminists might walk, talk, dress differently.

Answer 1

don't dress feminine or masculine. dress neutral. there is no such thing as gender. it is a social construct.

Answer 2

If you're going to dress like a caricature of an extreme feminist, you'll be wearing bulky jeans, a flannel shirt, Birkenstocks, no bra, much shorter hair, and no makeup. You'll be walking without any swivel and talking in a voice above an octave lower than normal.

But keep in mind that these aren't true feminists. They're the fringe who have lost sight of what feminism is all about. Most of us just wear whatever we want, which is often quite feminine.

Answer 3

I have been a feminist for the past thirty five years. I wear dresses, skirts, jeans, suits, camisoles, bras, tshirts, frilly blouses. I have a moderate, melodious, feminine voice.
I have long hair and I often wear makeup and perfume.
I love long full skirts, sandals and halter top for summer wear. I am very spiritual. As a feminist I identify most with the help and advocacy I give to others.
Spend some time volunteering at a Shelter or a Soup Kitchen and you will see the true side of feminism. This means believing in equality for all and focusing your life work on helping others to become empowered.

Answer 4

I understand what you mean. Your only playing a role, and need a sterotypical idea of what a feminist is. No one actually believes they dress, walk, talk differently. It's just for the play.

So I would suggest something very unglamorous. No makeup, (except maybe foundation). a business suit. something very simple, and classy, navy or black. small heeled shoes.

a feminist would use strong words, not rude to ppl but firm and probably would speak up, good strong voice, not a whisper, not soft either. she would hold her head high and walk brisk, not too brisk, but with purpose. she is going somewhere for a reason.

since your anti-love/anti-man..you wouldn't wear much makeup, or jewlery. (hence the business suit).

she would probably carry a simple clutch bag (not a purse).

and if your really going to get into it. her hair might even be short, for practical reasons. no long wavy locks, but hair that is closely cropped. just wash and no, no fuss, no muss.

good luck with your play!

Answer 5

Well, let me see.

I'm a "real hard core" radical feminist so perhaps I could offer myself as an example?

Most of the time for work I wear a skirt and top or tailored pants and top, shoes with a slight heel and stockings, plus some appropriate jewellery. My hair is usually well groomed and my hands and nails trim and well cared for (despite the fact that I love gardening).

On the weekend I usually wear jeans or casual pants, shirt and sandals, or skirt and top. If I'm going out, I like to dress up a bit and love to wear something a bit sparkly.

In winter I enjoy wearing scarves and have a large number of silk scarves I have collected from my travels around the world.

Unortunately, I don't possess any shirts with "I hate men" on them, and don't know anyone of my numerous feminist friends who do. Also no-one who wears baggy pants or talks with a low voice, although I do know several who wear maternity bras to make it easier to breastfeed.

Seems you may have found yourself playing a stereotype, not a character.

Of course, as long as young women continue to feed the stereotype by being willing to portray it, it will continue.

But here in the real world, most of us look just like you, your friends, sisters, mother and aunts.

The 'real hardcore' feminist this 'playwright' is depicting doesn't exist, has never existed and probably won't ever exist as a group, although of course individual women are free to dress in any way they wish.

That's one of the rights feminism has achieved, but which probably won't be mentioned in your 'play'.

Cheers :-)

Answer 6

Well judging by what a fair few men have said a feminist must look like, then feminists must be dirty, wear only flannel shirts and jeans, have short hair(long hair is a sign of femininity), wear no make-up and be anti-children/marraige lesbians who truly hate all men.
But IMO that's describing a misandrist, not a feminist who does keep clean, wears pretty skirts and tops, make-up, long hair down past shoulders and also is married/in hetero relationship and may or may not have children yet and also likes men quite alot, just not anyone who's chauvenistic or misandristic for that matter.
cheers:)

Answer 7

i would ask your director, they may have a specific idea for what they want your character to look like. it would be your safest bet, since feminists are normal women and can look and speak, and walk in any of the myriad ways that any other woman can. also, since your character is labeled as a feminist and not a "female to male transsexual," lowering your voice is probably not neccesary. unless you are supposed to be a walking stereotype.

Answer 8

Sounds like it's time for some Method Acting!
Think about it - if she's anti-men why would she dress like one!? Feminists are proud of being women but want to assure the world that the fact that our bodies are different has no bearing on our capabilities.

Answer 9

Its a play so you should go way over the top and dress yourself that you are identified as a feminist on the first glance. That meance no skirt or anything girlie of course ;-). Jeans and on top of it eithier a shirt that reads feminist or the like or a similiar rad symbol.
http://punkrockdogg.com/store/media/t-shirt_feminist_p_sm.jpg

Answer 10

Mlitant femnists always wear tanktops.