Code-Switching - Topic of the day 8/24/24
While code switching - the act of changing one's code or method of interaction with others - is primarily discussed about language, it can manifest through fashion as well. In what ways do you switch "codes" when dressing? For what reasons would someone want to make this switch? How can one balance a need to wear different clothes and one's own personal expression?
13 Replies
if an environment isnt safe to be queer around it doesn't feel safe to dress in my usual outfits either
What an image
so i'll go more conservative
This image is insane
Good thread topic, but that opening image tho....
definitely dress different around my parents lmao
Close the thread
I feel like the intent of the image is switched
i dress a little more basically when visiting my parents or in-laws in trump country as a matter of self preservation tbh
granted "basic" to me is still "our there" to some extent depending on the audience so i accept some stares but am not like...fearful of retribution
Ah this is easy. If for some incomprehensible reason I'm going to some sort of night-time venue where everyone is cis and all the dudes dress the same and all the women dress the same and nobody appreciates any type of deviation from their ultrastrict norms, I dress in tight-fitting clothing, put makeup on and generally do what feels like barbifying myself
If I'm going into my ultrareligious village to feed cats then I wear le ~modest clothing~, which prompts the usual comments I complain about, but at least doesn't offend anyone
The first feels awful.
I guess one interesting question is when do you happily code-switch and when (e.g. for work?) do you less voluntarily code-switch
I have the immense benefit of being perceived (even though I’m not) as a full blooded white American dude, so I’ve never felt the need to code switch for the sake of self preservation. That said, doing what I do re: guns, training, not to mention the music scene—I certainly have felt out place in some situations and spaces purely because of how I dress. I may not stand out at a gun store or like, Home Depot, but when I’ve played house shows or the first time my students meet me at the range I think there’s a healthy amount of skepticism from those folks.
When I moved up north I hid my accent for a really long time for exactly this reason tbh
Permanently made me have weird-ass speech patterns lol
I think in terms of voluntarily switching I tend to dress to match for different friend groups just bc it'd be a bit awkward to be overdressed
I have like two wholly separate wardrobes for fuckin around/locking in
and all the stupid slim fit work clothes go in the drawer of shame
:xdcrying:
I feel kinda guilty about it, but when I go to punk shows or really any local music show I intentionally wear cheaper clothes.