Dress to Impress: The Meaning and Weaponizing of Women's Attire

Art is an umbrella term for any form of creative and imaginative expression. Therefore, when studying art, which has always been one of the most prominent and powerful ways for the masses to convey their beliefs, one must consider the subject of fashion. Historically, cultural clothing norms have always been established and enforced by the patriarchal hierarchy. Men in authority positions of power, whether religious, political or domestic, have always been a determining factor in what is and is not acceptable for women to wear. When bearing this in mind, it is clear to understand that fashion has always been a game of oppression in order to appeal to the male gaze. Therefore, this article aims to understand the extent to which women’s fashion is a weapon of self-expression and how it has been influenced by social stigmas.

Firstly, clothing is identity. Clark Kent had his glasses and Cinderella had her slipper. Through certain items of clothing, individuals are able to express themselves and declare their distinctiveness. Furthermore, clothes are a way for people to exhibit aspects of their life, such as their social status, religion or background. Perhaps this is why both communist Russia and China- two countries that fought for an equal society- directed a large percentage of their attention towards the fashion choices of women. Whilst in Russia, clothing was simple, shapeless and presentable, China gradually built a standard that only tolerated shabby and cheap-looking clothing. This encourages us to question why mass-murderers like Stalin and Mao felt so threatened by the clothes women wore? The fact that, within chaos, revolution and war, fashion was a focus of totalitarian regimes conveys the extent of its power as a form of self-expression. This is because, through fashion, women are able to proclaim their independence and individuality in a way that has, even now, never fully been accepted by the patriarchy. Thus, granting the masses freedom of style is essentially giving them the opportunity to distance themselves from the regimes and beliefs of a governmental system.

As a form of art, fashion enables people the chance to make a powerful statement. Just like how Picasso’s “Guernica” condemned fascism, or Maya Lin’s “Vietnam Veterans Memorial” started a political uproar, the government knows that fashion is a weapon of the people. Therefore, this is reflected in the fashion industry, which, historically, has always been a male-dominated field.

Due to the fact that the fashion industry understands that there is power in our clothing, they have always been able to use this to their advantage. This explains why men’s clothing is designed for efficiency whilst women’s clothing is designed as visually appealing. Let’s consider the concept of items such as dresses, high heels and skirts and how they make the ability to move with ease essentially impossible for women. Rather than being dressed in a practical way that enables the feeling of empowerment, women are objectified and dressed as if they are an item, only there to look “pretty” for men. Although to some, the idea of wearing a dress is liberating, this is aside from the point. The point is that fashion is altered to the male gaze and ego. Another example of this is how, even today, many women’s trousers do not have pockets. When attempting to understand this, we are able to see that this is because women are not traditionally expected to carry large items, like a wallet. Whilst men’s trousers allow for them to conveniently carry money, the same cannot be said for women. Instead, even modern-day high-end brands actively opt to make millions off of women’s handbags. This enables an industry that essentially profits from a normalised inconvenience faced by women all over the world. These industries have weaponized something that is both a luxury and a necessity, using it to corner millions into purchasing products and perpetuating inconvenience out of coercion.

Nowadays, someone’s outfit can tell you more about the kind of person they are than ever before. Whether someone is expressing rejection of ‘acceptable clothing’ they may dress alternatively under the numerous subcultures of goth, punk etc. One may show the strength of their faith by dressing in religious attire. Clothing is a window into one’s personality. Whenever someone leaves their house, their clothes act as a conveyance of their vulnerability. This is why, despite the fact that at least 69% of Muslim women who wear a hijab have faced some form of discrimination, they continue wearing it. The hijab stands as a representation of their faith. Therefore, by wearing it, they are announcing their devotion to God to the world. Similarly, this is why some women choose to wear purposefully short skirts. After centuries of women being objectified, sexualised and shamed for showing skin, through the average- everyday mini-skirt, women are able to reclaim the source of their oppression and use it as a form of empowerment. However, with harassment incidents occurring more than ever, along with a recent incline in the phenomenon of shaming women, it is time for us to acknowledge the power that lies within our everyday fashion choices. Modern-day fashion is a weapon; it deconstructs everything familiar about international social dynamics and instead allows individual identities to be heard. It threatens the gender roles we are so used to and allows women a sense of power.

When one considers that a woman could be arrested for wearing pants in public up until 1940, it is easy to appreciate the social progressions that have been made. However, we must acknowledge the extent to which fashion as a form of oppression has been normalized and used as a weapon against women time and time again. The way women dress displays a part of themselves to the world. We must ask ourselves why this is such a problem? Why must fashion be a weapon of both attack and defence? And why is this such a threat? We must strive to alter our way of living in order to separate our actions from the idea of appealing to the patriarchy. Furthermore, as women, we must actively attempt to rid ourselves of our internalised and misogynistic tendencies when judging the clothing of those around us. As a society, we must understand that fashion is a form of self-expression and a declaration of one’s identity. No one has the right to control that.

By Tamara Almoayed 12F