Summary of My Study

This was actually a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. A majority of the people I asked, I'd say about 70%, did not want their picture taken or would not answer me. I approached the young women with, "Hi. I'm doing a study on menswear influences in fashion today, do you mind if I ask you a couple of simple questions and take your picture." I think I was turned down a lot of the time because women are skeptical of why they're picture needs to be taken and where that picture will end up. So, I changed my approach to the same statement, but without asking for a picture. More answered my questions, but then wouldn't allow me to take their picture. Many were almost ashamed of their answer to the question about whether or not they would be OK with a man wearing their clothing that they didn't want their face and picture to appear anywhere with the statement they made.

An example: One girl wearing a button-down shirt was open to answering my questions. I asked if she was aware of the menswear influence. She said yes. I explained how years ago, button-down shirt were completely unacceptable for women in society because it was seen as seductive and slutty that you could have such easy access to their breasts. She was nice, interested, and stuck around. Then I asked if she would be OK with a man wearing a dress and heels. She immediately responded with "Ew! No." I said thank you for participating in my study and could I take a picture (stating that my professor would be the only one to see it). She would not let me, putting together that this might be some kind of Women's Studies class and she might be in some kind of trouble for her answer.