This project by Zoe Doubleday challenges the theory that women are “asking for it” based on the clothing they wear. Although the outfit is playful, as it resembles a vintage stripper outfit, the topic is du jour, with cases of violence even in the tech industry. For Zoe, this project is very personal.

Throughout my life, I have been told to be careful about how I dress, as I would not want to make my fellow brother stumble. It is insulting to men to claim that they are so weak that they lack the ability to be accountable for their own actions. The notion that it is my responsibility to manage how others view and treat me has been deeply ingrained in my subconscious, my behavior and my view of myself.

I like that Zoe believes this is an insult to men and their capabilities. So often this is an argument that puts women against men, and her wording makes it clear that this is not her aim. Even better is the fact that she is using technology to display the problem. Her outfit uses an Arduino Uno, LCD screen and a Maxbotix proximity sensor. It registers different statements based on the distance of the person approaching.

The screen will ask, “Am I asking for it?” until someone approaches within 5 feet of the wearer. The screen will then change to say, “Do you hear me asking for it?” Finally, when someone approaches within 2 feet, the screen asks, “When did I ask for it?”.

While one sensor can’t solve the problem, it certainly is a great way to bring awareness to the issue.
I hope you will all visit Zoe’s site for more information on her project. Ladies — you can build your own skirt! Check out our tutorial using the Maxbotix Sensor and you will soon be setting up your own interactive piece built on proximity. Make art that matters.

Every Wednesday is Wearable Wednesday here at Adafruit! We’re bringing you the blinkiest, most fashionable, innovative, and useful wearables from around the web and in our own original projects featuring our wearable Arduino-compatible platform, FLORA. Be sure to post up your wearables projects in the forums or send us a link and you might be featured here on Wearable Wednesday!