This weekend

[perrykneeham]

I believe that hoodiness is a protected characteristic.

[Repat Van]

Apr 4, 2022 9:12:36 GMT mids said:

Speaking of balaclavas... clothing- misogynistic.

"A growing fashion trend for men’s balaclavas that has seen sales surge has been condemned as inappropriate – because of the garments’ association with attacks on women.

The fashion for face-covering headgear has been hailed by style writers as one of the key trends for 2022 after being worn by a number of influential musicians and sports stars."

www.theguardian.com/fashion/2022/apr/03/balaclava-fashion-trend-is-threatening-to-women

“ A growing fashion trend for men’s balaclavas that has seen sales surge has been condemned as inappropriate – because of the garments’ association with attacks on women.”

Odd given that most women know their attackers and I doubt they were wearing balaclavas at the time.

[Repat Van]

Apr 4, 2022 9:25:16 GMT mids said:

Yes, interesting that the Guardian doesn't mention hoodies...

Because most people wear hoodies and they don’t cover the face.

Plus the Guardian is merely repeating comments by WRGs. They did not mention hoodies for the same reasons I mentioned above.

[Repat Van]

Ok reading further this is reasonable:

“ Carolyn Pearson, CEO of Maiden Voyage, a travel company specialising in women’s security, said: “Encountering somebody in a balaclava can be extremely triggering and worrying for those of us who are hyper-vigilant about our personal safety. The balaclava has long been an item of clothing associated with and adopted by bad actors.”

Madeleine Black, sexual violence activist and author of Unbroken, which details her survival of such experiences, said: “I would definitely associate balaclavas with violence and criminal activity and would feel very uncomfortable with men wearing them in my vicinity”

I genuinely don’t think I have ever seen anybody wearing a balaclava, that wasn’t doing so while in the commission of a crime.

Not even when I was freezing my arse off living in Montreal (where you would think a balaclava would make sense given the temperature.)

Maybe back in the 30s, 40s they may have been a useful item but now they just seem to be the clothing choice of terrorists and bank robbers.

If I saw a guy wearing this on the street I would assume he is committing armed robbery or planted a bomb somewhere.

[mids]

"triggering" "bad actors" "hyper-vigilant"

[Repat Van]

Yes, we can all read. No need to quote words from the article.

Although mocking sexual assault victims is probably to be expected for you.

[Repat Van]

But mock all you like, I do think if somebody was sat in an empty train carriage at night and 4 blokes in balaclavas entered, the individual would immediately exit the carriage.

[mids]

Because they'd be bad actors?

[perrykneeham]

Or the IRA.

[flatandy]

I’ve seen a fair number of balaclavas since the drive back north, because people are cycling in just-above-freezing temperatures and they’re all weenies who can’t handle a bit of chill on their ears.

[perrykneeham]

Although, Boston. See above.

[voice]

I've worn a silk balaclava under my bike helmet for years while riding in winter, makes it far more agreeable.

[mids]

I be willing to bet that far more women are attacked by men in hoodies then men in balaclavas.

[voice]

I'd imagine you'd win that bet

[mids]

I don't even own a balaclava.

[flatandy]

Apr 4, 2022 12:36:27 GMT mids said:

I be willing to bet that far more women are attacked by men in hoodies then men in balaclavas.

Apr 4, 2022 12:40:25 GMT mids said:

I don't even own a balaclava.

Are these two comments directly related?

[wetkingcanute]

I wore one at Balaclava

[mids]

Apr 4, 2022 13:02:07 GMT flatandy said:

Apr 4, 2022 12:36:27 GMT mids said:

I be willing to bet that far more women are attacked by men in hoodies then men in balaclavas.

Apr 4, 2022 12:40:25 GMT mids said:

I don't even own a balaclava.

Are these two comments directly related?

<looks at shoes>

[voice]

I wore one at Balaclava - wkc

were you a man dismayed?

[wetkingcanute]

Yes - but I didn't ask why.