How’s that for an opening line? How could this possibly be a blog post for X-Dress? Watching the responses on the blogs as they come in, I thought that this might an interesting topic to discuss. (By the way, thank you to everyone who is contributing to the blogs, as they make them so much richer, and give more readers the permission to do the same.)
So, let’s discuss the how the look, feel, design of underwear directly relates to social constructs.
Let’s break this down. If we look at typical men’s underwear, not just tighty whitey’s, but typical brand name off the shelf style kinds. The waist band is wider, tougher elastic, and creates a rather sturdy appeal. There are no frills, and are made of classic cotton, and come in a wide assortment of color selection, being black, white, navy blue, and the every so sexy grey. Around the legs, the elastic is turned inwards in order to provide greater support and a no slip surface. Men’s underwear should be made with solid construction. Sound about right?
Now, let’s look at women’s underwear, or in this case, the underwear from XDress. The waistband is lighter, and sometimes not even clearly visible as it is usually covered by lace or other materials. With panties, the material is softer, lighter, smoother, and usually made from silk, satin, or fine cottons, or finer fabrics. There is often more frills and design such as picot elastic, lace trim, and the use of multiple fabrics together such as a satin and lace combination. The cut is usually higher up in the leg rather than around the thigh, and lower in the torso. Sometimes even using more of a see through material, or something a little more revealing. Women’s underwear is made with a delicate construction, to the point of having a lingerie bag to wash them in so that they don’t get damaged. Now, colors, you can get pretty much any color under the sun, from bright, to softer hues, to pastels, to bright and bold. Even having multiple colors together to catch the eye. Sound about right?
Now, what does this have to do with social constructs? Well, if you see how men’s underwear is made and sold, it defines the manly man. Rugged, strong, supportive, no frills, well constructed, get the job done, and know what you are going to get. Let’s also look at the color component from a social construct, blue is for boys, and pink is for girls. For most men’s underwear choices as I mentioned, you can get white, black, navy blue, or the ever so sexy grey. Why would a manly man care what color he wore, as long as it worked? What about dress in general, men’s clothes can be loose and baggy, doesn’t have to really match, and as long as it is functional, who really cares? Let’s also look at haircuts just for fun, short hair for boy’s, long hair for girls. Boy’s don’t cry, girls don’t get mad.
Let’s look at women’s underwear, and compare it to social constructs. Women’s underwear is softer, finer, delicate, gentle and graceful. Lot’s of frills, finer materials, revealing, and always wearing it to feel sexy and even a bit risqué. Go into a brick and mortar store, and with XDress, look at the color selection, especially the new glow line such as the Glow Popover Lace Bra in aqua. Bright, fun, risqué, and pushing limits a bit. How does society like to see women dressed? Tight, form fitting, show of what you got, and lower cut lines, and leave something to the imagination. The colors are often matching weather that be with a bra and panties, or accessorizing.
Would a women, or those like us who wear XDress worry about it’s function, or it is more about how it looks and feels?
Social constructs have clearly drawn the lines between males and females. How we are to behave, how we look, what we wear. As I have mentioned in the past, if a woman wears men’s clothing loose and baggy, it is considered ok. If I wore a bra, panties, a form fitting dress in public, imagine that. Society has a long way to go.
I want to thank XDress for being bold and creative enough to provide the platform and clothing for people like us who like to break society norms. It gives us a place to be ourselves, and also have a place of understanding when we question these “norms”.
What are your thoughts on waistbands and societal constructs?
WB
13 comments
I have been wearing panties 24-7 for over 40 years, and have very much enjoyed doing so. Have been discovered doing so many times many ways . It’s always been pretty awkward when that has happened, but the desire to wear what I preferer to wear as “underwear” has always out weighed what has been said about it. And as the years have gone by, it’s still a bit awkward to be looked at with a disapproving look or less than friendly comment. So, the fact that there is more and more companies that are catering to this very stereotypical situation that’s been going on way to long. Has made it much easier to feel good about what it is that has brought me such a great feeling that I get while wearing what I have always enjoyed so much. Even if it was disliked for what ever reasons by the less than open minded people. Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts about the topic.
I wish I could wear extra panties and thongs and bras and bra lets all the time but unfortunately with society especially my day-to-day job is very masculine and old school way of thinking. I am a mechanic by trade working on vehicles and wearing a uniform that is washed and dried in a ton of chemicals and using heavy starches is not the best on anyone’s skin. That being said I typically have to wear boxer briefs or leggings or other things to protect my skin from being rubbed raw or getting irritated by those work clothes. I can’t imagine how bad my skin would react if I wore satin or lace everyday under my work pants. So there is a some reason behind function. But if I was a stay-at-home worker or worked in an office type setting where my clothing wasn’t as rough I could most likely easily get away with wearing more delicate undergarments and not have to worry about any issues with my skin. That being said there is a huge double standard between what women can get away with and what is expected of men.
I just wanted to say thank you for your breakdown of the different styles of underwear when it comes to male and female underwear. For a long time I’ve always been conflicted with what makes underwear feminine or not and I’ve come across brands and styles that have been given certain labels but don’t seem to match what I subconsciously expect to see. I think what I love about Xdress is it takes these things into consideration whilst also making the underwear accommodating for all genders without losing it’s femine touch!
Thanks PJ. I love the comments and the open toe sandals! I haven’t been bold enough to do that yet but hope to one day I have a man bag! People tease me man purse i laugh it off I actually have 5 to match my outfits Lets keep pressing the issue
Interesting blog. Thanks for writing it and each of the responses. Specifically, regarding underwear, from my experience, you’ve expressed the general ethos of gender defined under garments, at least in the Western culture. The invitation long open to me, and only recognized and embraced in my recent years is to “live beyond the gender binary”. In all manor of likes. For example, I’ve long perceived a small purse or a clutch to be not only fasionable, but also very practical for carry essentials while out running errands, traveling or goin out………so years ago i bought and began using clutchs! Yup, i still receive the mindless comment, and it’s more important to me and for me to live the day to day life i desire and not someone else’s expectations. Alot of other social constructs are projected upon us as well, and though I try to be mindful of not slipping into such constructs, and I do make gaffes: One time mistaking a husband for earning a Ph,d when in fact it was the wife. 🫢 As for under garments: i love pastel colors and lace. In fact I’m wearing an XDress pink valentina lace bra now, under a hoody as i write. I enjoy cotton camisoles. And well fitted and delicate thongs. Other areas where i push back against the social constructs is when i use my favorite jasmine fragrance oil or wear open toe sandals with my toenails painted Just some personal experiences and examples of beyond the gender binary. Cheers PJ 🦄💕