Feminist Fashion

By Joanna Neve

With International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day taking place this month, it’s the perfect time to reflect upon some well known and prominent feminists. Angelina Jolie, Emma Watson and Beyoncé are all well known for their views on women’s empowerment, and yet they’re all so different. Each of them has her own character and style, which makes them seem so confident and unique. In a world of similarity and conformity, maybe we could take some inspiration from these women and develop our own look. When you look and feel like yourself, that’s when you’re most confident!

Emma Watson

Known for her role in Harry Potter and Disney’s recent adaption of Beauty and the Beast, Emma Watson is a very famous actress who has really come into her own character over time. She’s openly criticised the sexualisation of women in the film industry and has spoken about women’s rights at the UN too. She said, “We need to live in a culture that values and respects and looks up to and idolizes women as much as men.”

In terms of style, Emma Watson doesn’t conform to what’s going on in fashion. She’s often spotted wearing a full suit, and has some in funky colours. She’s also been photographed in dresses which aren’t typically feminine, showing that you can wear skirts and dresses without looking overly ‘girly’. If we had to take some inspiration from Emma’s style, it’s probably that you can wear whatever you want. If that’s a masculine suit then so what. 24 March 2020

Unofficially referred to as Queen B, there’s no doubt that Beyoncé has a strong sense of self and shows her own character. The film ‘Homecoming’ revealed the immense preparation put into her ground-breaking 2018 Coachella festival performance, all whilst recovering from the birth of her twins! Her music often drops subtle references to feminist thoughts, and her song ‘Flawless’ even gives a clear definition, “feminist: the person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes”.

We can take some serious style inspiration from Beyoncé too, with many of her special event outfits designed in a way to present her as bold, confident and powerful. A top pick is the bright red dress and headpiece she wore whilst heavily pregnant to an awards night. If that doesn’t inspire us to dress bold, then what will? Paparazzi often capture her wearing colourful outfits and huge sunglasses. She wears what she wants and isn’t afraid to stand out. Credit to that.

Angelina Jolie

Triple Golden Award winner Angelina Jolie is a powerful character in the film industry, taking impressive characters in films like Maleficent, where she literally had horns. Aside from her professional work, she’s also well known for her humanitarian and charitable work. She’s regarded by many as a feminist idol, talking openly about her double mastectomy and the removal of her ovaries, as well as encouraging hundreds to adopt children like she did.

She argues femininity can be expressed in different ways, and offers powerful words to express ourselves in a way that’s true for us individually: “There’s nothing more attractive than someone being fully themselves, without inhibition, in whatever form that takes. We all recognize it when we see it — those women whose beauty is their spirit, and their inability to be anything other than true to themselves.”