Jumpsuit Girl - Page 79

I’ve never thought of myself as jumpsuit girl, but this is a name that has been given to me by people in the street. They have seen me a number of times in different coloured jumpsuits. There is a familiarity, predictability, they know the jumpsuit and maybe it’s the jumpsuit they are talking to. This familiarity builds a relationship. I know them by face but not by name. If you asked me what they were wearing I’d say jeans and a t-shirt but I can’t be sure. Like I said, I know them by face.

They usually yell from across the street. If I’m wearing a jumpsuit they haven’t seen before they’ll comment on the print. Most people will ask “where are you going? What’s this about? Why are you wearing this?” This usually happens at the traffic lights or on public transport. Spaces where there is a pause in our busy day-to-day lives. I like chatting with people and asking them the same questions in return. By doing this, I hope they reflect on what they are wearing too. 

Sometimes I sense someone taking a discrete photo or point and stare. Males seem to comment more than females. Perhaps the figure-hugging suit is an invitation? Or perhaps males feel more at ease commenting on women’s clothing? I remember a male comment that was quickly followed by a female’s. He said “nice dress” she said, “you’re not looking at the dress, you’re looking at the body.” 

At times I feel aware of a person’s gaze and can feel their eyes moving across my groin, stomach and breasts. I usually suck my stomach in and become aware of every movement I make. I reposition my arms, hands and bag and rearrange these things to cover the spots I feel self conscious about. It is through another’s gaze that I become aware of myself. I feel exposed … naked. I feel the person’s eyes penetrate the polyester suit and I move and react in response to them, with them. We enter this moment together. As their eyes move, I move. Sometimes we meet each other’s gaze and quickly cast our eyes to the footpath or toward another passer by. As the space between us shortens we look to each other once more. Their eyes then move to the jumpsuit for one final look. Usually I don’t dare to turn back. Enjoying the passing of that moment and preparing myself for the next. Another stranger approaches and we dance the same dance again. From wearing the jumpsuit I know the moves to this dance quite well. You could say the moves are choreographed or scripted. There is predictability to passing a stranger in the street and depending on which moves I make I can almost predict theirs. There is space for improvisation, like with any encounter we find ourselves in. With improvisation we can step outside our everyday and do something surprising. This surprise can help us reflect on a situation to see a situation differently. The jumpsuit is part of this surprise. People stop, look and question. It is a moment where clothing, dress and fashion intervene in the flow of everyday life.