Jennifer Paff Ogle, professor in the Colorado State University Department of Design and Merchandising, has a long history of recognized research in the social/psychological aspects of dress. Ogle has been on the faculty at CSU for over 20 years and has contributed significantly to this field of research with particular attention to underserved populations. 

In November, Ogle’s research was presented at the International Textile and Apparel Association Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. She secured her seventh ITAA Paper of Distinction Award at this conference, with previous wins in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2019.  

Paper of distinction on body positivity for nonbinary individuals 

This year, Ogle, along with research collaborators Kelly Reddy-Best, Jennifer Harmon, Kristen Morris, Ashlie Johnson, and Piper Kittersong, won the award for the paper titled: An Interpretive Exploration of Positive Body Image Experiences Among Nonbinary, Gender Fluid, and Genderqueer Individuals.  

With this work, the researchers interviewed 15 individuals who identify as nonbinary and asked the questions, “What does it look like to have a positive body image for a nonbinary person?” and “How do nonbinary persons form and maintain a positive body image?”  

“One of the key take-aways from this work was that findings very much reflected participants’ positionality as nonbinary individuals,” said Ogle, “and in particular, how their gender identities set a context for their positive body image experiences.” For instance, Ogle’s qualitative data highlighted how participants used dress and appearance management (e.g., tattoos, piercings, surgery, binders) to create satisfying gender expressions that supported positive body image experiences such as pride in one’s body.  

Positivity through resistance and community 

“Findings also demonstrated that participants were able to form and maintain positive body image by resisting cultural meanings about gender and appearance,” said Ogle. For example, some participants articulated how they avoided social comparisons with cisgender individuals and challenged Western, cisgender beauty standards as well as stereotypes about what it means to look or be nonbinary.  

Finally, participants discussed the importance of their immersion in the queer community in building and maintaining a positive body image. “Participants referenced the importance of social support from and representation within this community as well as the community’s role in endorsing inclusive body ideals and gender expressions, which supported for them a sense of authenticity and a freedom to present however they wanted,” said Ogle. 

According to Ogle, findings from this work have important implications for the development of programs designed to support positive body image among nonbinary individuals. Such programs, she noted, could incorporate activities, such as clothing swaps, designed to promote the expression of the authentic self and the creation of satisfying gender presentations through dress and appearance.