A Constant Mark?

Is it really impossible for a woman to be unmarked? While we learned about the difference between marked and unmarked in class, I began to think that there are situations where a woman can be unmarked.  Imagine a woman who works in an office.  If she is wearing a dark gray suit and a button down shirt and has on makeup, but not allot of it, and she wears her hair in a professional style, it is possible for her to be unmarked.  The woman would be wearing exactly what she is expected to, her hair would be in a style that is considered acceptable at work, and her makeup wouldn't be telling about her personality.  That seems very unmarked to me.  If you were to argue that that woman would still be marked- as a professional or something to that extent- then it is impossible to say that a man working in an office wearing a business suit is unmarked. That woman would not be unmarked in the general public, but in her work setting, she is very much unmarked. 

Comments

[Ben L]

I think the whole marked versus unmarked concept is ridiculous. No matter how you dress or how you present yourself, the people around you will be able to gather something about you. Always.