Even self-directed feminine adornment requires an external gaze

Evidence

However, although some women affirm “I dress for myself only,” we have seen that even in narcissism the gaze of the other is involved. Only in asylums do the fashion-conscious stubbornly keep their faith in absent gazes; normally, they demand witnesses. — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1574

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies narcissism as always mediated by the other’s gaze — a woman’s self-regard is constituted through being seen.
• XREF: Connects to Beauvoir’s broader existentialist frame where the other’s gaze constitutes the self; also anticipates Lacan’s mirror stage. — connects to: The girl learns to view herself through an imagined collective male gaze; Feminine dress functions as self-decoration, offering the wearer up as merchandise — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1078; Feminine presentation is coerced self-objectification in disguise — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 900 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Adornment simultaneously singles out its wearer and requires others’ gaze to have value #expands (0.90) — Georg Simmel, The Sociology of Georg Simmel, 8222
• Feminine presentation is coerced self-objectification in disguise #exemplifies (0.85) — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 900
• Dressing for display makes women dependent on others’ recognition for self-worth #expands (0.85) — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1582
• Feminine eroticism involves becoming an object to snare another #expands (0.70) — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 845
• Females uniquely experience their own bodies as alienated otherness #qualifies (0.70) — Christine Daigle, Jacob Golomb (eds.), Beauvoir and Sartre, 110