EMPOWERMENT IN FASHION: WOMAN IN A MAN’S WORLD. EMPOWERMENT IN FASHION: WOMAN IN A MAN’S WORLD How the male eye looks to command the fashion choices of women in society today. Fashion has always been a major tool of empowerment in our lives, allowing us to express our individual identities through the clothes in which we wear. However, the ever-shifting trends in fashion are influenced by an accumulation of the fashion designers themselves. Popular culture (especially music, film and celebrities) and subcultures (such as punk and urban culture) are all influences amalgamated with the media, especially in this day and age of the internet. Social media begs the question whether we are actually free to wear what we feel like or are we slaves to what society tells us to wear and what is deemed as acceptable? It’s our bodies and it’s our choice. This question is even more relevant when it comes to the choices made by women in regards to fashion; are we too scared to show who we really are through our clothes without the fear of being judged and shamed? If a woman wants to show some skin, then that’s up to her. Wearing skin baring clothing doesn’t make a woman a slut or a whore. Fashion designers love to talk about ‘empowering’ women. The creative designer of Balmain, Oliver Rousteing, is well known for his bold and sensualized designs, in which he has said himself, he designs to empower the female society. “The women I dress are powerful, they are strong, they are women who are going to change the world.” What is the ultimate key to being dominant? Many people believe it’s having a positive attitude, while others claim it is being wealthy. But sometimes it is the clothes in which we choose to wear, as we know that our clothes affect other people’s impressions of us. At the College Football National Championship, Ciara’s dress choice caused a major reaction online, resulting in critics shaming the singer for her wardrobe choices. Ciara wore a white sequined gown with a deep V neck and dramatic cape. Veteran sports journalist Bonnie Bernstein complimented Ciara before telling her how to dress: “Dear Ciara. You’re stunning. But this is a National Championship Game. Kids are watching. Cover up.” Women should be free to wear what they want without being shamed. Sophie explained that “females can wear whatever they want, whether it shows a lot of skin or not, no one should tell another they can’t wear a certain thing simply because of their own personal preferences.” It is perfectly acceptable for a male to walk around with their shirt off on stage, yet it is frowned upon when females express their sexuality. Ciara was considered being nude, yet the cheerleaders had less clothing on than she did. The belief that females dress to gain attention in society is completely wrong. It is often said that women who wear skin baring clothing are labelled as attention seekers. Society should not judge women based upon the clothes that they choose to wear. Fashion is a form of self-expression. Women choose their clothing items based upon a number of factors; which differ from materials, comfort, patterns and also the visual appearance of the clothing when it is placed on the body. This is why society should preserve the misconception of attention seeking as women dress their bodies according to what is best for their figure.
“Feminism, to me, means being proud and recognising that specific body part less, superior than another.�
of what you were given ts make no one more, or