When I asked how you would dress if you felt completely free, the only difference between the looks was the bra. Why was taking off the bra an issue?

I think the primary reason it was an issue—the difference between me initially thinking of it as something uncomfortable and then changing my mind—was first and foremost that breasts are viewed as sexual objects. Even though nipples are exactly the same as men’s, women’s nipples are treated as something to be focused on or stared at; to a point where people feel entitled to harass us, whether through glares or physical harassment. I was able to overcome this personally by not being ashamed of my nipples being visible. However, the reason I still feel that discomfort while traveling from my home through my neighborhood to get here is being subjected to those stares in an environment where I feel I shouldn't have to face such a thing or have my 'status' questioned.

What kind of problems did you face because you weren't wearing a bra?

To be honest, I haven’t personally experienced an issue regarding bras. However, by reflecting on what women go through in this regard, I realized that wearing a bra is essentially rooted in a suppressed form of hiding and covering up. Even though I didn’t experience a direct incident, this collective perception itself was enough to make me feel uncomfortable.

What is it that makes you hesitate when choosing your clothes before going out?

For a while, I thought about my weight a lot. Due to my body type, I have a frame that widens at the hips. I used to lean towards wearing longer or looser clothes to cover that area of my body. Or, for instance, if I wore leggings, I’d wear something longer over them. Just like with the bra, I was making an effort to wear things that would suppress my curves or make them easy to ignore, aiming to hide my body lines.

In your opinion, is this body image anxiety only about you? Have people criticized your body before, and why did you end up feeling this way?

Of course it isn’t just about me. In fact, there was a guiding process that shaped this perception of mine from the very start. The first thing we learn—and we learn this at quite a young age—is what 'feminine curves' are, and consequently, we learn that these curves shouldn't be all that visible. You're told to pay attention to your attire, to make sure your breasts or cleavage aren't showing, and all of this is labeled as 'obscene.' So, you know about this long before you even experience a personal problem with it. Ultimately, after going through puberty, you continue to dress as someone who has been raised with this mindset.

Do you think women are subjected to more criticism when it comes to their bodies?

Yes, but I can't attribute this to just one gender. I say this because women also criticize each other very harshly; it’s because some of us have become subjected to very rigid rules. There is a specific way a woman is 'supposed' to be, just as there is for how a man is supposed to be. This could open up a completely different debate, but unfortunately, since women are generally viewed as objects, this situation creates a constant pressure on them.

If you were living in a different country, do you think you would feel freer in terms of your clothing?

I don’t know if it’s right for me to comment on this. I probably would feel freer, but since I haven’t experienced it, I can’t say for sure. After all, the male gaze can create the same effect in many places; however, based on my observations from Türkiye, I think I would likely feel more comfortable—as long as it’s not another Middle Eastern country.

What kind of issues do you think people face regarding their clothing and appearance? What comes to your mind? What have you seen or heard from those around you?

I'd like to give some examples regarding men as well. I think men carry a certain risk when it comes to color because there are specific 'rules' to being a man. However, I believe that for women, it turns into a struggle for survival; there is now such a thing as dressing in a way that ensures you won't be killed or harassed. This is because we are at a point where this is seen as a 'right.' Our clothes can be presented as very 'legitimate' justifications for our murder. Obviously, the situation for women is much more severe. For men, the issues diverge toward things like color or designer products, and I believe we can see that pressure too.