straight guy DIY

[KidDynamo]

I've been doing stuff DIY for quite a while now before i even knew there was a whole subculture of it. My grandma taught me and my sis how to hand stitch stuff when we were little kids, like 7 and 8. I've been drawing on stuff, making patches, and customizing every way i know how forever, sharpies are like gold to me. I love this sight and the whole DIY movement. But there seems to be a negative stigma around certain areas of DYI if i were involved in them, like sewing and clothes making. I would love to make stuff for my sis and girlfriend, though some would find it odd that i have a sewing machine. Idk, to me any outlet of creativity is not gender specific. The good Lord gave us the tools to be awsome and i intend to do that. So i guess the real question in all of this rambling is why is so much of the DIY clothing portion geared towards women? Even the books that get shown, 99% percent of them are made by women geared at women. I would ask if there is not a big men's DIY community, but this website shows that is not the case. So what's the deal? are guys like me just not involved enough in the creative pursuits for our presence to be felt? At least it's good to know that there is a place like this were it's ok to want a sewing machine haha. Peace, love, and creativity.
God Bless,
-Julian.

[Coffee]

been there, done that, wear a skirt.

[KidDynamo]

I'm not sure what that means.

[saintlike_ontheoutside]

Why does it have to be "straight" guy DIY?

[Coffee]

This topic comes up a lot (for example, in this thread (http://forum.threadbanger.com/showthread.php?t=10616)) and that's my stock answer.

Basically, if you want to wear different clothes, wear different clothes.

[LudicrousLouisa]

Ah, basically...well, the only real way to change the DIY/fashion dynamic away from female dominated is for males to get involved and not be scared off :) I am a little annoyed by societal stereotyping of certain activities (it just so happens that I am a feminist BUT am particularly well versed in "female activities...")
In the end, if you want to do it, do it! I suppose the female domination of fashion is because society allows women to wear a greater range of clothing - because to look like a tomboy is not nearly as much of a "crime" as for a man to look feminine. Yes, I agree that men and women both get dealt different, and sometimes crappy hands by gender stereotyping. Which is why you shouldn't be deterred - diy til you die :)

[Tampopo]

If you want the full meaning behind Coffee's statement, refer to this thread:


http://forum.threadbanger.com/showthread.php?t=10616

Basicly, there is a difference between wearing what you want & cross dressing. You can expand your DIY borders when you stop looking at certain things as gender specific.

[cutoffjeans]

coffee has nothing better to say
he has said that on at least 3 threads ive been too
and yes straight guys are discriminated against for the love of sewing and diy in general
i guess hes straight so thats the point hes trying to make
i dont get why people care
any way i do agree with you diy books are geared twards women
i hope some guy out there writes a book for us about mens diy
maybe even you could do it
once again the fashion world discriminates against crafty men

[Coffee]

Well sorry, I guess I've just been here too damn long, that whenever this topic appears, I can't be bothered putting out a nice 100-word post about HOW men are "discriminated" against in the field of DIY fashion...

Once you consider that 99% of men don't have an interest in clothes, period, let alone the extra activities associated with making and modifying, it makes it clearer why there are few resources attached to that demographic. Therefore, all that we can really do is take what there is, as well as creating ourselves.

I'm quite worried, also, by the apparent importance of "straight" in this thread, which I'm assuming relates to some idea about appropriate clothing for heterosexual males as opposed to women and homosexuals... But it's all a mystery to me, and I'm a straight man.

[KidDynamo]

thanks for the responses. No ill will towards coffee. i get the point he's trying to make. I'm not talking about androgenous dressing. I'm really just a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy. I just find it funny that if i want to screen print or stencil a shirt that's cool, but if i want to sew something it ain't. And no hate intended, it's just called "straight guy DIY" cause i am straight. I guess that 's another reason people think it odd that i want to make clothes. And i agree that both sides of the spectrum, men and women, are dealt crappy hands in terms of the archetypes that we are supposed to be. Like i'm extremely athletic, love sports and the gym, lift regularly, all that "manly" stuff, but I love to sit in my room and create to. My sister is super athletic, a total beast on the basket ball court, but about as girly as can be off the court. Breaking the mold people, it's what we do.

[Tampopo]

I think it's more like most men discriminate against the craft world.

[Tampopo]

& let's be nice to Coffee. He's not evil for re-using an answer that he likes. Seriously.

I appreciate you, Coffee :)

[saintlike_ontheoutside]

& let's be nice to Coffee. He's not evil for re-using an answer that he likes. Seriously.

Definetly not. Espicially when the answer sums up what has been said over and over.
Honestly, we are all very aware that women have more DIY opportunities than men, simply because women are more known to be interested in DIY. So instead of whining and hoping somebody else will write a book for or lay out a pattern, D-I-Y. DO IT YOURSELF!! The main component of DIY is doing what you what, with the stuff you have, and making it into what you need. So I'd have to agree with Coffee.

[Coffee]

thanks for the responses. No ill will towards coffee. i get the point he's trying to make. I'm not talking about androgenous dressing. I'm really just a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy. I just find it funny that if i want to screen print or stencil a shirt that's cool, but if i want to sew something it ain't. And no hate intended, it's just called "straight guy DIY" cause i am straight. I guess that 's another reason people think it odd that i want to make clothes. And i agree that both sides of the spectrum, men and women, are dealt crappy hands in terms of the archetypes that we are supposed to be. Like i'm extremely athletic, love sports and the gym, lift regularly, all that "manly" stuff, but I love to sit in my room and create to. My sister is super athletic, a total beast on the basket ball court, but about as girly as can be off the court. Breaking the mold people, it's what we do.

I'm not talking about androgyny either. What I'm talking about is defining what you want to wear as what you want to wear, not as men's clothing or women's clothing, or straight clothing or gay clothing.

Wear what you want to, and don't be bothered by the false premise of what you "should" be wearing.

And when you craft, craft unapologetically; knit, sew, embroider, (not crochet, that's girly) however you want, whenever you want, and don't sweat the people who're afraid to enjoy it.

[KidDynamo]

I guess in a way that is kinda true. Like if you aren't makin something with a motor it ain't worth making. But outcast culture is nothin new to me i guess. I'm a huge comic book geek, before the hollywood boom and all that jazz. So i'm not as weird about culture on the fringe.

[saintlike_ontheoutside]

thanks for the responses. No ill will towards coffee. i get the point he's trying to make. I'm not talking about androgenous dressing. I'm really just a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy. I just find it funny that if i want to screen print or stencil a shirt that's cool, but if i want to sew something it ain't. And no hate intended, it's just called "straight guy DIY" cause i am straight. I guess that 's another reason people think it odd that i want to make clothes. And i agree that both sides of the spectrum, men and women, are dealt crappy hands in terms of the archetypes that we are supposed to be. Like i'm extremely athletic, love sports and the gym, lift regularly, all that "manly" stuff, but I love to sit in my room and create to. My sister is super athletic, a total beast on the basket ball court, but about as girly as can be off the court. Breaking the mold people, it's what we do.
My last post wasn't meant in offense toward your thread. I understand that men are at a slight disadvantage. So take the initiative to bridge that gap between women and men DIY.

[Coffee]

And I maintain, wear a skirt. If that's too far as step for you, wear a kilt.

But once you've made that step, what else are you going to do? It's a taboo, to the point where it's only acceptable, what, as an obvious joke, or an act of female emulation.

But once you've worn a skirt, the differences between men and womens' clothes come down to a very few aspects.

[PinkPK]

I think it's mostly geared toward women, because traditionally men worked and brought home the bacon while women cooked and cleaned and took care of kids and were expected to sew, as well... I mean, it's not so much a standard now-a-days, but even just fifty years ago, that was still the case for a lot of the time.

[cutoffjeans]

i love how coffee hates me for trying to make change
and wanting help cuz im not a diyer by heart

[Tampopo]

Can everyone just step off it?



The argueing is getting old.

[Amie]

why does it matter? if you love sewing/DIY then it shouldn't matter what other people think.

just my $0.02

[KidDynamo]

oh no, I already decided that. I was just curious as to what other people thought about the stigma of straight guys sewing and making clothes. Not to stereotype again, cause that is what i'm talking about, but straight men in fashion seem to be a monster minority.

[Gabby]

been there, done that, wear a skirt.
yeah i dont know either he just says that

[Demonica]

I think that they are coming out with alot of guy stuff I saw a bunch of really cool shirts and pants up at wall mart but thats besides the point of course.
If you want to sew I say go for it it shouldn't matter if your gay or straight, bi or whatever like I say do what makes you happy ^_^
If sewing is your cup of tea then go for it.

[gothictany]

I really dont care if someone is gay or straight....I care what your about...artiscly? and full of passion? and an open mind for change...a good change.
Your right...break the mold...I have friends that are straight and love to wear tons of crazy clothes that are adorable and DOnt Care what peeps say...Break the Mold..
This is a Great start!
xoxoxoxox

[ZombieDoll]

I live in Asheville, and frequent the Honeypot, (Featured on a threadbanger episode, Aaaah! They're after me!) And the man behind the counter singled out my friend as he became snippy over girly looking mens shirt and said in his tall guy voice "Fashion is genderless." I agree. You don't like what the world is cooking, put something else on the table.. Who knows, you may start something.

As for you being straight, or gay? Whatever Ignore that hype. Staightdom and gaydom shouldn't matter, just like black or white..dom. XD. People that judge you for the genetalia that float your boat shouldn't be paid any heed, just like those that judge the color of skin..Same with people that think only gay men and straight/gay ladies should be engaging in specific actions. BLAH, screw em.

I agree with your observation on our society, best example, prom. All these pretty dresses, all different, and what are guys stuck wearing? The generic tuxedo. BAH

Just be happy that you CAN sew, and can rescue yourself from this mindlessness.