CF, I don’t doubt that the photos are well done, for what they were aiming for (and typically do aim for). To me it looks awkward and coy, and the hands behind the back trick is glaringly obvious. YMMV. I wonder if Caitlyn or Annie even had the final say in choosing which photo ended up on the cover. To choose one where she’s wearing fancy underwear seems unfortunate to me. And no, the alternative doesn’t have to be a woman who’s schleppy and schlubby and unwashed.
I have no issue with wearing a ratty t-shirt for runs/workouts or even to the store (gasp!). What’s wrong with that? In my opinion, absolutely nothing. Stereotypically female need to constantly worry about looks is not something I subscribe to - if someone wants to do it, that’s fine,but why assume that all women should want to? Why question a poster’s choice not to look ‘attractive’ during runs? It’s just looks - the most superficial thing in the world as far as I am concerned - who who cares, one way or the other!
l was raised to not wear ratty clothes out of the house. It was not a matter a conforming to societal expectations of a woman. It was based on presentation (i.e. don’t have strings hanging from your clothes, no holes in shirts or pants, stain free clothes). Everyone doesn’t have to conform to looking wearing clothes like that, but I make sure I look presentbable.
It’s a workout, not a job interview - just my take.
By the way, I was raised that way too, but I just don’t agree.
“I would love, love,love to be able to wear sundresses. I have always longed to be that tall, slim woman in the magazine ads standing in a field of wheat with my hand just brushing the top of the wheat with that dreamy far off look in my eyes.”
Check out Modcloth. Real people wearing dresses sold on that site post their “glam” selfies, with all bodies represented, from XXS to XXXL. Very few if any would meet the criteria for that magazine ad, yet they all look fabulous because they feel happy in their dresses. 
If this is what Caitlyn liked and wanted, there didn’t and doesn’t NEED to be an “alternative.” She has said before she is not representing the trans community or women in general, she is doing this for herself. She has no obligation to present herself as anything other than what she wants. Sounds like she had an afternoon of fun, of dress up, of glamming it up like a Hollywood diva, and to hell with conforming to any other person’s idea of magazine worthy. No one has to aspire to look like that, no one has to internalize it to the point of making themselves feel excluded, or inferior, or not “the right kind of feminine.” It’s just ONE photo shoot on one day by one person, in the manner that SHE chose. Like it or don’t.
It’s ironic that she spent her entire life trying to conform to the proper image of masculine male super athlete inflicted upon her by society, only to find that when she decides to shed that and go with what will make her happy, she is then criticized by many women for not portraying the "proper’ image of femininity. And of course the “proper” feminine image differs, depending entirely on the person defining it, meaning that even if she was trying to please the masses, it would be impossible.
You never know who you may run into when you’re out. You could make a contact that could lead to a job interview. “Presentable” is the opposite of sloppy, not dressy.
I don’t understand what people don’t like about the Caitlyn Jenner cover. It’s old Hollywood glamour. I don’t see awkward or coy at all, and I didn’t read anything into the fact that her hands aren’t visible. It reminds me of what Linus said when Charlie Brown read all kinds of things into the fact that he drew people with their hands behind their backs. The reason was something simple (like he couldn’t draw hands). Maybe the reason Caitlyn’s hands aren’t visible is something simple too (like she needed them behind her for balance).
A piece that addresses some of the hostility to Caitlyn Jenner’s presentation:
https://medium.com/@bescofield/caitlyn-jenner-is-femme-get-over-it-d6b0f3f0fa47
I do agree that there’s a strong tendency among many people to equate feminine gender expression with being artificial, and to view masculine gender expression as being “natural” or even “gender neutral.” To which I like to respond that there’s nothing natural about short hair, and nobody was born wearing pants.
Also, many African American kids are raised to overdress, wear a shirt with a collar, etc. so as not to be taken for a degenerate teen or worse. Ratty hoodies get you no place. We have been down that road.
I am sorry, but I am not starting to dress up for my workouts on the off chance I meet a recruiter - there are limits. My old t-shirts feel nice and comfortable, and I am wearing them
As for Caitlyn Jenner, I think she too should be left alone and allowed to wear what SHE likes.
I think would have liked a picture of he brushing her teeth. But you just know people would take sides on that, too. Maybe the real problem is the microscope.
Btw, one of my girls won’t go out the door unless she’s done her makeup. I’ve had to answer the door to FedEx for her. And she’s bright and hard working, quite socially adept and has done plenty of good around her.
For one thing, ratty t-shirts are generally not the best thing to wear for a workout from a technical standpoint. Tshirts are usually cotton, and cotton is not the best choice for workouts where you will sweat. There are some current cotton fabrics (like the Fellow Flowers shirts) that work, but generally you want a tech fabric for wicking. That just makes sense from a performance (by you AND the fabric) standpoint. If you want to wear a ratty tech singlet or shirt, go for it. Generally, the tech fabrics don’t get ratty- just smelly. I’ve been in the running and exercise world for many, many years, and it is certainly anyone’s right to wear ratty workout gear. You just don’t see it that much either at the gym or on the path, because it tends to be much less practical. Gone are the days of baggy grey sweatpants or cotton shorts. Bright colors aid in visibility/safety. Polar fleece helps with warmth.
"I have no issue with wearing a ratty t-shirt for runs/workouts or even to the store (gasp!). What’s wrong with that? In my opinion, absolutely nothing. Stereotypically female need to constantly worry about looks is not something I subscribe to - if someone wants to do it, that’s fine,but why assume that all women should want to? "
You’re deliberately not hearing us. I’m not “worried” about my looks at all. I LIKE to look good (within the limits of what god gave me, and my budget and time and so forth). You keep working from this assumption that looking good / attractive / whatever is keeping the wolves at bay as opposed to ENJOYING it.
My son’s graduation is this week (yay!). I put a lot of effort into selecting outfits to wear because it’s FUN. I have a girlfriend in Australia who is a major fashionista and I sent her pictures of the outfits I chose and we had fun going back and forth over whether I should wear the nude patent peep-toe heels or the purple patent slingbacks. I normally wear just clear nail polish on my nails but decided what the heck and put the school color on my fingers and toes. It’s not my life’s focus, and I spend most of my days in either workout clothes or jeans and a sweater, but it’s fun. It’s not because I’m “worried.” Please.
"To choose one where she’s wearing fancy underwear seems unfortunate to me. "
This is all so odd. This is a classic old-style Hollywood glamour shot. Marilyn Monroe might have posed in a similar outfit. “Fancy underwear” is completely missing the broader context of what she is channeling.
"I have no issue with wearing a ratty t-shirt for runs/workouts or even to the store (gasp!). What’s wrong with that? "
I worked out this morning - an hour of pilates and then a half hour of strength. I noticed as I was using one of the machines that my super-comfy workout capris have started to get holes along the inseam. They’re probably 10 years old! They’re not really worth repairing, so they now get to become pajama bottoms for business trips where I’m in a hotel room by myself. There’s nothing wrong with casual clothing but I have too much self-respect to deliberately wear clothing with holes, rips, stains.
Pizzagirl- You articulated that well. To look cute and wear workout gear that is functional as well as cute is something that is fun and gives me pleasure. I don’t do it to impress the folks I see on the path. Looking decent is just sort of the norm in my world and I like it.
MoWC, I hear you about new fabrics being better for performance - I have heard it from friends, read it, etc., and I have tried the newer fabrics. For whatever reason, they just don’t feel that good to me. I genuinely prefer the feel of an old cotton shirt. Maybe I am too used to cotton - not sure - just not a huge fan of the newer type of sports gear as far as tops go.
Fancy underwear is somewhat more sexual and revealing than say, a formal dress. The choice reminds us of what we all know - that Caitlyn has transitioned from male to female but has chosen to keep certain male body parts. If you love the Hollywood glamour of it all and enjoy that, fine. That’s not the point, that is just aesthetics (which they did well despite the trickery). To me it is unfortunate because I’d rather see a cover shot that shows Caitlyn as a woman, not as a woman who used to be a man and is posed to remind us of that.
Caitlyn told Vanity Fair that if you list 10 reasons to transition, sex would be number 10.
ETA - I would say the same about the current vogue for “naked dresses”. They very rarely look good.
Monroe may have posed in something like that. But remember the hubbub when Madonna did.
In my area, we can tell the seasons by when the college boys are out running- as in, “Must be almost spring, the boys are out.” Can’t say they are guided by tech opinions on their clothing- if they even have on a shirt.
I think what bothers me on this thread is the willingness to really notch up the arguing. It’s plain to me acollegestudent is referring to herself, her own likes and guidelines. If it is ok for someone here to invest in fancy running gear or have fun emailing photos-and if, presumably we are all secure women- why can’t we accept that she likes haute casual?
I wore a cotton Under Armour t shirt this weekend in NC on a hike with grad school D. It was very hot and humid, and that shirt felt really really thick and heavy and it seemed to keep the heat inside rather than breathing (I had always thought cotton was supposed to “breathe”). I was sweating PROFUSELY in that shirt and was really uncomfortable. DH was also wearing an Under Armour tshirt, but his was a completely different fabric, and while still feeling the heat and humidity, seemed much more comfortable than I.
On top of all that, the shirt didn’t look that great on me. Big and shapeless, I have to admit.