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[–]raslyana 13 insightful - 2 fun13 insightful - 1 fun14 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

I had a very similar experience. When I was a teenager I lived in a bit of a rough area and I would get catcalled and leered at constantly. I too chose to wear baggy clothing, no makeup, just really trying to look as unnoticeable as a girl/woman as I possibly could. It didn't help at all.

What I learnt as I got older is that men actually back down and even get nervous when you own your own body. It's actually safer to wear makeup, fitted clothes. I'm not sure it's the clothes so much as the fact you have the confidence to wear them, if that makes sense? I actually read a post from a woman who worked in a care home with senile old men who said another member of staff recommended she wear makeup as it intimidates them from poor behaviour. And it worked.

[–]vitunrotta[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing! Just like you said: what you wear does not matter at all. I've been leered at when I've worn a dress, baggy clothes, gym outfit, whatever. It truly doesn't make a difference.

And what you said about owning your body is crucial in my opinion. I happen to live in a country where the weather can get crazy hot - so obviously I dress accordingly. I'm not going to cover up and try to move around like goddamn Batman in the shadows when it's +35C outside. These past months I've worn some lovely summer clothes for example, some of them quite fitted indeed. And I looked good, not afraid to say it! But my body was now my possession only - and my frame of mind was "I bloody own these streets and you asshats will move aside." And sure enough - they did.

An attractive woman who gives zero fucks (& swears like a pirate) seems to be the most intimidating type to these chauvinists. There's some odd satisfaction in owning my body completely and breezing through the streets, and seeing how it's the guys now that look almost... afraid. Cackles