an elf ghostwriting for a border collie and some vampires

So from then on whenever one of us called something problematic, he would make us talk it out until we could name the “bad” thing we were hinting at. In this particular class, 7/10 it was some type of oppression, and the remainder was like, “I’m uncomfortable because this is very new/confusing/pushing boundaries that made me feel safe.”

Once we stopped calling things “problematic” and stopping at that, class got way more interesting and... we all had to say, like, “that’s racist” or “that’s misogynistic” or “ew capitalism gross” out loud, which a lot of us had never done in a classroom before. Or we had to be like, “Uhhh... I’m not sure what’s so bad?” and confront our own beliefs and that was maybe even more useful.

A lot of gear suggestions aren't conducive with workplace or school dress codes, might be unsafe for some, or just aren't everyone's style. Here’s some ideas for understated nonhuman expression that's not just "wear a graphic print".

If this post inspires you to buy anything, please shop secondhand where you can!

CLOTHING

Fabric choices - Animal print or fur isn't the only option! Focus on which textures you associate with your ‘types. Maybe you like heavier fabrics like wool or leather, wrapping you in a protective layer. Maybe you enjoy the lightweight feel of silks and linen that flutter in the wind. Maybe the structure of sturdy denim feels like a chassis. What feels right against your skin?

Cut - This refers to the shape or style of a garment. What silhouettes read as your ‘types? Maybe you want to add bulk via a boxy blazer with shoulder pads. Maybe sleek, straight cut trousers or a pencil skirt is more you. Look up cuts of jeans if you're new to this and want to start somewhere!

Socks - Maybe they're full on novelty socks, maybe they've got hoof prints on the underside. Fun and subtle!

Shoes - Big platforms or steel toe boots might remind you of hooves, or running shoes can keep you nimble and quiet on your toes. From an aesthetic standpoint, pay attention to the colour and textures. Maybe a brown suede reminds you of your paws, maybe metal hardware reminds you of your shell.

ACCESSORIES

Watches - These could be subtle, with just a strap colour your associate with your ‘type, or a full on statement piece that looks like alien technology. I picked mine because it reminds me of a cat collar.

Cat collar bracelets - Speaking of, these just look like leather bracelets and are a hell of a lot subtler than wearing a dog collar!

Glasses frames - Does the shape of your frames feel insectoid? Round and owl like? Qquare and boxy? How do they transform the shape of your face? Of course, a relevant colour or pattern is also an option!

Pins & Brooches - These could be colourful enamel pins or small simple vintage brooches. Wear them on your clothes or bags.

Belts - This can be a great place to introduce heavier textures like reptile skin or suede, or you can go the opposite direction and use fabric or rope. A statement buckle can be a fun addition if you want to get a bit flashier!

Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a Potawatomi botanist, is a brilliant and hopeful read about the ways that indigenous peoples learned from and related to the land, and the ways that the rest of us today can draw from that knowledge to realize kinder, more reciprocal ways of living with the world. Check your local library for it if you can't afford a copy; if mobility is limited, check to see if your library offers ebooks via Libby.

For a shorter read (but honestly do read Braiding Sweetgrass if you at all can), The Myth of a Wilderness Without Humans is an article that addresses a number of the same topics.

Some additional context: one of the most subtle but insidious forms of racism that we see in the community is this attitude that Humans Are Inherently Bad For Nature (which then often generalizes to Humans Are Inherently Bad). People so often treat this as Obvious Fact, when... it's really not! The idea that humans and nature Can't coexist, that they are Fundamentally Separate, is a myth constructed by an exploitative and imperialist society, which erases all of the indigenous cultures that have very different ways of relating to the earth and its beings.