What do you think a “geeky girl” is supposed to look like? Act like?
I’ve been approached several times recently while promoting my blog at events by people that are shocked to hear that I consider myself a geek. Number one, isn’t that an insult? Number two…”But, you are dressed so cute! I would have never thought!” Can we talk a bit about this?
Having geeky interests (sci fi, anime, gaming, etc), does not instantly mean that, as a woman, you must look unkempt. It also does not mean that you do not know how to socialize. My idea of the perfect day is being pampered at a salon and then going dancing and drinking at one of my favorite bars. Just because I spend my free time watching Sailor Moon and obsessing over all things BBC does not mean I can’t do the others. It’s silly to think that people are that one-dimensional. Also, what does loving Doctor Who have to do with my sense of style? I don’t understand how the two go hand in hand.
Unfortunately, I know some girls that have taken to labeling themselves as “geeks” so that they can be the object of desire for a whole group of men. These kind of girls have marred what it is to truly be a geeky girl, and have made people start to doubt the authenticity of a good looking girl that likes nerdy things. I find this to be so unfair. Who are you to say that I can’t be a nerd because I may look good in a crop top? I really wish shows like The Big Bang Theory would portray their female leads as being sexy and a little more fashion forward. Have you noticed how the guys always have the best geeky tees that are lusted over by fanboys across the country, yet do we see any of the girls sporting adorable Her Universe dresses or perfect fandom accessories? Nope. In fact, the only girl that looks hip and trendy most of the time is Penny, who is the token “cool girl” that could care less about the boys’ geeky interests.
C’mon media, help us geeky girls out. Women are slowly taking over this culture (did you hear that 44% of the audience for Guardians of the Galaxy were female?!?) and we deserve to be portrayed in a more positive light. What do you think about these unwanted stereotypes? I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments!
Tanukimimi says
There will always be those who exploit a subculture because that’s just the kind of people they are. It annoys me, I get the whole, “they’re not REAL fans” feeling of indignation but one can’t deny that these are the people that usually help bring a subculture to the forefront which in turn can shed more light on other, more multi-dimensional members of that group. Male geek stereotypes are still pretty bad IMO, using BBT as a prime example but I’m speaking more of a general portrayal and less about their style.
Megan R says
I remember a D&D friend telling me that I didn’t look like the kind of girl who plays D&D. D&D has SUCH a weird stigma attached to it. While I have met a few player who reinforce that stigma, the vast majority don’t visually stand out from the non-D&D players.
It also pisses me off when people hate on cosplayers, especially female ones.
B. says
I think it’s so stupid to think people can’t be a nerd/geek and like other things. I love comics but I love sports too. That seems to confuse people sometimes. As people, we’re allowed to like all the things if we want! Also, we aren’t limited to what we like based on our looks. That’s just annoying and plan dumb.
Mallory @ Bad Wolf Brunch says
Love this post and right with you there! Why can’t I love Star Wars and Phillip Lim!?!
Fiona Dunn says
I agree with this so much, the thing that mainly annoys me is, like you said, the girls who do it to be an object of desire for men. Just no, I can’t get in to this or I’ll just rant hahaha. Nice post though 🙂
Jessica says
You know, I never thought about the geeky girls on TV shows, but they really never are “fashion forward” or “girly”.. they are always just kinda tom-boyish or “weird” (not the good weird, either…) I hope later on they start adding more stylish girl geeks to TV!
OH and as for the girls who just want to get men’s attention… oh my gosh, how annoying! Especially on Instagram, I am so tired of girls taking pictures of their boobs with a controller covering their nipples. It’s so disgusting, it’s so lame and I love when they are like “Ohhh I’m so ugly…” and they are half naked with a controller in their hand or by their face… oh and you just gotta LOVE when these “geeky girls” put a controller in their mouth…YES I actually saw a girl put a PS3 controller in her mouth… guys were drooling over it, I guess imagining their you-know-whats in the controllers place… ughhh!! >___<
Jessica
the.pyreflies.org
Stephanie Medeiros says
This is why I love Felicity on Arrow so much! She is this super smart computer science genius who also dresses really nice and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She’s this dynamic human being on the show instead of being written into a corner. We need more of that in all media.
That’s another thing that really bothers me about BBT and other shows with geeky females. They could source their wardrobe from Her Universe and the myriad of countless other fashion forward geek shops that are promoting style in the community. So frustrating! >_<
Taimara Dietsch says
Absolutely true!!! The other day I got told I don’t “look like the type of girl who is into nerdy stuff”. Yet, I was wearing a Spider-Man tee and my uber geeky pink glasses (also, I have a Captain America voodoo doll hanging on my rearview mirror). What does “not look like a nerdy type of girl” even mean?!?! Who says being fashion forward is mutually exclusive from being geeky?! I feel the media has created this stupid stereotype of people that is unfair (for many groups, like how therapists are always crazy and have a couch and write everything everyone says, and they’re always so cold. No! We’re not like that. And the same goes for other groups of people, whatever they may be)!
Anonymous says
I love all these opinions, girls!!!
Rosa De Los Reyes says
preeeeeach!!!!
Chuck Basstard says
Coming in way late with this but agree so much with you about Felicity. It’s also why I love Simmons so much on Agents of Shield – she’s got brains and she knows how to use them but the costume designers also gave her a wardrobe I would happily raid any day; very classic to suit her British-ness but also very cute and flattering.