Read Surveys (By Author)
Lisa Wall
1. When do you feel at your most attractive?
Naked
2. Do you notice women on the street? If so, what sort of women do you tend to notice or admire?
Happy, carefree, confident looking women
3. What are some things you admire about how other women present themselves?
Confidence, women who go against "the mainstream" and rock it. Women who are kind and strong. Women who compliment, help and inspire other women
4. Was there a moment in your life when something “clicked” for you about fashion or dressing or make-up or hair? What? Why did it happen then, do you think?
When I learned that the biggest make-up companies are run by men. Nothing is going to make you look as great as confidence and kindness
5. What are some shopping rules you wouldn’t necessarily recommend to others but which you follow?
I do, and would recommend everyone buy as much as they can at thrift stores
6. What are some rules about dressing you follow, but you wouldn't necessarily recommend to others?
I don't wear bras, and would also definitely recommend not wearing a bra. Free yourself.
7. What is the most transformative conversation you have ever had on the subject of fashion or style?
I was getting a wax and the woman told me "pain is the price you pay for beauty." It took me back to plucking my eyebrows in junior high and my sister telling me that. My friend in college told me the same thing after I had blisters on my feet from wearing heels. I never waxed again
8. Do you have a unified way of approaching your life, work, relationships, finances, chores, etc.? Please explain.
Yes, stop being a slave to what other people think you should do/wear/look like/be. Work to better your soul, not your closet
9. Are there any clothing (or related) items that you have in multiple? Why do you think you keep buying this thing?
Cami style tank tops, a couple of wireless bandeaus. I like to wear them under shirts for layering since I don't wear bras
10. Have you ever successfully given someone a present of jewelry or clothing that you continue to feel good about?
I have. I'm happy they enjoyed the item but I don't get continued pleasure out of that
11. Is there any fashion trend you’ve refused to participate in and why?
All of them. Why would one devote so much TIME and money to following other peoples fashion "trends"... Fashion trends are what others deem "in style"... wear what is comfortable and practical
12. Can you say a bit about how your mother’s body and style has been passed down to you, or not?
Yes, she passed down her never ending self doubt of what she looked like in comparison to other women, and her obsessive shopping, which I have since stopped. It was filling a void for whatever was/is missing in life. I stopped comparing myself, stop wasting so much energy on making myself look "good" in other peoples eyes
13. Have you stolen, borrowed or adapted any dressing ideas or actual items from friends or family?
I have been told my style is "hippie chic" but that seems like a meaningless term and makes me cringe. I have a few of my mother's old shirts from the 80s.
14. Was there a point in your life when your style changed dramatically? What happened?
Yes. Over 2 years ago. I realized how much time I waste caring about "style" ... who does it even matter to? Why was I draining my bank account in the name of "fashion"???? Why did I feel the need to bleach my hair to shit to look "good"??? Why did I feel the need to risk my health and go to tanning salons???? Why would I wear uncomfortable push up bras??? Who was I trying to please? Was looking fuckable my worth?
15. Is there anything political about the way you dress?
I'm not consciously trying to. I refuse to wear anything with a brand name on it, I don't wear bras, I don't wear heels, I guess that can be seen as "political"
16. Please describe your body.
Perfect, it works just fine
17. Please describe your mind.
Open
18. Please describe your emotions.
I try my best to be calm and grateful. Highs and lows, as life goes. It's warm out and there's a nice breeze coming in so I'm happy about that. Annoyed and a little confused as to what this survey is getting at. Confused as to why people care so much about what women are wearing as opposed to the greatness they've achieved
19. What are you wearing on your body and face, and how is your hair done, right at this moment?
Body: loose fitting tank top, shorts, moonstone necklace around my neck. Face: no make-up. Hair is done, unwashed, messy, there's some dry shampoo I make myself in there
20. In what way is this stuff important, if at all?
It's not. It's important for me that women know they are worth more than their clothes and so much more than how others perceive them
21. With whom do you talk about clothes?
Sometimes people compliment what thrift store treasures I find. Then I encourage them to go thrifting
22. How do institutions affect the way you dress?
Personally, they don't. As a society, women are constantly being sold things to make us "feel better, look better, look thinner, look younger"
23. Do you think you have taste or style? Which one is more important? What do these words mean to you?
I think its all personal preference really. I pick out things I find to be nice at thrift stores... "nice" as in aesthetically pleasing. My home is all thrifted furniture as well, I think it looks nice. People seem to respond positively to certain things I wear, and how my home looks
24. Do you remember the biggest waste of money you ever made on an item of clothing?
Everything I ever purchased before 2013
25. Are there any dressing tricks you’ve invented or learned that make you feel like you’re getting away with something?
Getting away with what???? Being comfortable?
26. Do you have style in any areas of your life aside from fashion?
My home is very aesthetically pleasing. Very rustic and simple. Sometimes I sew and make dresses for children from fabric I find thrifting, people seem to love them and encourage me to sell them. As you can guess, I'm conflicted about that
27. Can you recall some times when you have dressed a particular way to calm yourself or gain a sense of control over a situation that scared you?
Nothing ever made me feel more empowered than not wearing a bra and not shaving.
28. Would you say you “know what you like” in the area of fashion and clothing? If so, do you also know what you like in other areas of life, that is, are you generally good at discernment? Can you say where your discernment comes from, if you have it? Or if you don’t have it, why or why not?
Yes. I know what is or is not comfortable for me right away in all areas of life. Following through with that is an ongoing challenge
29. Did your parents teach you things about clothing, care for your clothing, dressing or style? What lessons do you remember? Or did you just pick things up?
Always about looking "pretty." I soon learned it's a waste of energy. I wanted to be so much more than just pretty.
30. What sorts of things do you do, clothing or make-up or hair- wise, to feel sexy or alluring?
Not wear any
31. Many people say they want to feel “comfortable,” or that they admire people who seem “confident.” What do these words really mean to you?
A confident woman to me is a woman who is unapologetically herself. A kind, strong woman.
32. If dressing were the only thing you did, and you were considered an expert and asked to explain your style philosophy, what would you say?
Get rid of 90% of your closet. Free yourself.
33. What is really beautiful, for you, in general?
Simplicity
34. What do you consider very ugly?
In terms of "fashion"... anything absurdly expensive and made of animal skin or feathers.
35. Are you generally a good judge of whether what you buy will end up being worn? Have you figured out how to know in advance?
Yes. Do I need this? Yes, good I will wear it
36. When you look at yourself before going out, and you are trying to see yourself from the outside, can you describe a bit about what this “other person” is like? What do they like, dislike, what sorts of judgments do they have? Is this “outer eye” based on someone you know or once knew?
I used to be so concerned and anxious about what other people thought of me. I was always judging myself so harshly, because of society as a whole. I have been trying to smile at myself in the mirror each morning, think I am beautiful, and express gratitude for my healthy body.
37. What is your process getting dressed in the morning? What are you considering?
I delay putting on clothes for as long as possible. Then consider the weather, and get dressed accordingly.
38. What are you trying to achieve when you dress?
Comfort
39. What, for you, is the difference between dressing and dressing up?
Dressing up usually entails dressing a certain way you think will be deemed acceptable by others. Dressing is rolling out of bed and putting on clothes because it's illegal to be naked out in society
40. If you had to wear a “uniform” what would it look like?
Nudity
41. What would you say is “you” and what would you say is “not you”?
What is me: Nudity, clothes I can MOVE in, bare feet.
What isn't me: Tight clothes. Jeans. Bras. Shoes. Expensive clothes
42. What is your cultural background and how has that influenced how you dress?
White American. My mother is Italian. It was instilled in me to always look and be "lady like even if it kills ya"
43. Do you remember a time in your life when you dressed quite differently from how you do now? Can you describe it and what it was all about for you?
High school. Some college. I wore push up bras, heels, skimpy, tight clothing to make myself feel better. But all that was, was me trying to get other people, women and men, to notice me, find me attractive. They did, and it still made me feel empty inside.
44. What sorts of things do you do, clothing, make-up or hair-wise, to feel professional?
I shower, I put on clothing, I smile, I am nice to others.
45. How do you conform to or rebel against the dress expectations at your workplace?
I don't do either
46. Do you have a dress code, a school uniform, or a uniform that you wear for an extracurricular activity?
No
47. Are there ways in which you conform to or rebel against these uniforms?
Never had a uniform.
48. Do you find it comforting or constraining to have a uniform?
Not sure, I went to public school my whole life. Seems like it could be comforting as a child. As an adult it seems patronizing. But again, I never had to wear one so I don't think my opinion matters much on the subject
49. What is an archetypal outfit for you; one that you could have happily worn at any point in your life? What do you like about it?
Something free flowing. Leggings, no bra, barefoot. I think its comfortable and seems to be the closest thing to a human's natural state besides being nude
50. Do you ever wish you were a man or could dress like a man or had a man’s body? Was there ever a time in the past?
Never. I love being a woman
51. If there was one country or culture or era that you had to live in, fashion-wise, what would it be?
Maybe the 60s or 70s in the US if we're talking strictly fashion
52. Do you consider yourself photogenic?
Not really. From the right angle I guess
53. When you see yourself in photographs, what do you think?
Cool picture
54. Are there any figures from culture, past or present, whose style you admire or have drawn from?
No
55. Have you ever had a dream that involved clothes?
Not that I can remember
56. What would be a difficult or uncomfortable look for you to try and achieve?
Basically all of them that involve tight clothing, excessive hair styling and make up
57. If you were totally comfortable with your body, or your body was a bit closer to what you wish it was like, what would you wear?
If it were legal I'd always be nude
58. Is there anyone that you are trying to attract or repel when you dress?
I'm trying to repel men
59. Are there any dressing rules you’d want to convey to other women?
Free yourself
60. What do you think of perfume? Do you wear it?
I find it unnecessary and kind of creepy. Why would one want to smell like a fruit dish? You are a woman not a pear
61. What are some things you need to do to your body or clothes in order to feel presentable?
I guess wear them. Maybe shower.
62. How does makeup fit into all this for you?
It doesn't
63. Is there a certain look you feel you’re expected to like that you have absolutely no interest in? What is it? Why aren’t you interested?
I feel like I'm expected to look pretty (to others), wear nice clothing, shave my body, tame my hair and use make up. Live as the patriarchy wants you to live. I have no interest in any of that. Why would I? I am healthy, and alive.
64. Can you describe in a basic way what you own, clothing and jewelry-wise?
Clothing: free flowing pants/shirts/dresses. Neutral, cool colors, florals. Jewelry: stones and crystals, silver
65. What is your favorite piece of clothing or jewelry that you own?
Probably one of my comfortable free flowing floral shirts. Jewelry... any of my crystals or my vagina ring
66. Tell us about something in your closet that you keep but never wear. What is it, why don’t you wear it, and why do you keep it?
If I haven't worn something in the last 6 months, I donate it
67. Looking back at all your purchases over the past five to fifteen years, can you generalize about what sorts of things were the most valuable to buy?
Anything that has lasted me a good length of time is pretty valuable.
68. Is there an item of clothing that you once owned, but no longer own, and still think about or wish you had back? What was it, what happened to it, and why do you want it back?
No
69. If you had to throw out all your clothes but keep one thing, what would you keep?
Probably a sun dress.
70. Building up your wardrobe from nothing, what would you do differently this time?
Not buy anything unless I had a specific need for it
71. What’s the first “investment” item you bought? Do you still own or wear it?
If you have to consider a piece of clothing an "investment" you probably don't need it, and definitely shouldn't buy it
72. Was there ever an important or paradigm-shifting purchase in your life?
My moonstone necklace keeps me balanced
73. What item of clothing are you still (or have you forever been) on the hunt for?
Comfortable, durable winter boots with no fur or leather!
74. What are your closet and drawers like? Do you keep things neat, etc?
Organized, simple
75. Were you ever given a present of clothing or jewelry that especially touched you?
A necklace given to me by my grandmother, right before she passed on
76. Did you ever buy an article of clothing without giving it much thought, only to have it prove much more valuable as time went on? What was the item and what happened?
Probably one of my tank tops
77. How and when do you shop for clothes?
At thrift stores, if I feel the need for new clothing
78. Do you like to smell a certain way?
No
79. How does how you dress play into your ambitions for yourself?
I dress as I hope to always be. Carefree, confident, simple
80. How does money fit into all this?
I save a lot of it now that I don't piss it away on clothing and make-up
81. Is there an article of clothing, a piece of make-up, or an accessory that you carry with you or wear every day?
My moonstone necklace I wear every day. Keeps me balanced and grounded.
82. Did anyone ever say anything to you that made you see yourself differently, on a physical and especially sartorial level?
Whenever someone tells me I have great fashion sense, its kind of weird because I don't think that of myself
83. Do you remember the first time you were conscious of what you were wearing? Can you describe this moment and what it was about?
I was in elementary school. I felt self conscious about having to buy "regular" jeans instead of "slim" jeans
What’s your birth date? Where were you born and where do you live now?
February 28, 1991. I was born, and still live in Boston, MA.
Say anything you like about your cultural/ethnic/economic background.
I am white, grew up lower middle class. Slowly making my way up
What kind of work do you do?
I am a nanny :)
Are you single, married, do you have kids, etc.?
I live with my male partner
Please say anything you like about yourself that might put this survey into some sort of context.
I'm vegan, anti capitalist
How do you feel after filling out this survey?
Annoyed and concerned. Why aren't we asking women questions about themselves that don't revolve around the way we look