PVC and Feminism

Zara Coat

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Missguided PVC Skirt

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Warehouse Jumper

 | & Other Stories Clutch | New Look Shoes | Topshop Beanie

Photos by 

Ilona Robinson

Despite appearing everywhere from catwalk collections to the high-street, PVC is still the kind of fabric that makes anybody who isn’t aware of current fashion trends stare for just a little too long. It’s also the kind of fabric that apparently encourages comments from women on the tube that go a little along the lines of:


‘women fought hard to stop girls dressing like you and to get a little bit of respect from men for once’ 

Excuse me? 

Since when did wearing a jumper, scarf, coat, beanie, skirt (of the pvc variety), tights and boots (as I was at the time) merit a scathing remark in public like that? 

She then continued to inform me that society was going nowhere as long as ‘girls like you prance around the city wearing such things.’

I’m really sorry, but I’m a little bit confused. Since when did society halt to move forward because I chose to wear a PVC skirt?

Wouldn’t the world be a better place if it was completely acceptable to walk around in PVC skirts and heels everyday without people condemning you for stopping the evolution of society and enjoying being oppressed by a patriarchal society?

This really got me thinking about feminism. Can a girl who walks around London wearing something as stereotypically fetishist as PVC be a feminist?

Feminism is all about equality, not high heels and patent leather.

Would I call myself a high heel, PVC wearing feminist? Yes. On the days that I wear a PVC skirt anyway. 

Feminism has become a dirty word. A confusing one. Women are afraid to call themselves feminists because there are so many different associations and interpretations that come with the word feminism that can lead to misinterpretations of who they really are. So many different brands of feminism have developed that it is hard to take one without being criticised by a ‘member’ of another brand. 

This is one of the problems. Surely the whole point of feminism is about equality amongst women and men and the notion of women having equal

choices

to men. If so, why are women so quick to condemn others for making different

choices

that they don’t view as fitting to their own form of feminism? How can women move forward when so many have so much time to spend on hating others and criticising their approaches to feminism? Is it not more productive to accept peoples different opinions and approaches to feminism and move forward?

Those ‘feminists’ that continue to criticise others for their choices in clothing and attire for being what they consider to be ‘anti-feminist’ undermine the whole concept of feminism:

choice

. Women’s right to choose.


Feminism is inclusive

. Our choices may be different, but our message is the same.

I have only scratched the surface of something here. See this as a public personal rant calling out those faux-minists that think feminism will evolve by condemning other women’s choices. Obviously I don’t think that wearing a PVC makes me a feminist, but this does give you something to think about when you peel of your PVC midi skirt later on tonight. 

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30 Comments

  1. Your coat is dreamy! I love the ice blue colour too which makes a refreshing change to pink xhttp://whatisinherwardrobe.blogspot.co.uk

  2. Girl, I couldnt agree more. Great argument!Love the look too, super chic.Jenna xhttp://jennanicholls.blogspot.co.uk/

  3. Fantastic point babe! Could not agree more! As if those rude narrow minded women said that to you! You look phenomenal babe, absolutely gorgeous!

  4. First: you manage to look amazing again. Second: I totally agree with you. Isn't the whole point of feminism so that we can choose what to wear? Who to be and what to do?

  5. Gorgeous – Love this! I have ordered a motel black pvc skirt so hopefully looks like this! I would ignore them, call themselves feminists pfffft, freedom to do what women like is the point I thought! xxxxwww.lurchhoundloves.com

  6. Fantastic post!! So true – can't believe she said that, what a disrespectful, sexist woman! It's people who think like her that hold women back in society!! We should be able to walk around bloody naked if we feel like it (I definitely don't). Fashion is about dressing for yourself & has nothing to do with men anyway! Did you say something back to her? Hope so! Xxhttp://milimola.blogspot.co.uk/

  7. Looking stunning in this my dear! I love Your coat and the color Of it xXfashionvitae.blogspot.com

  8. This is such a gorgeous outfit! love your coat!xx Ayeshahttp://ayeshaalimfashion.blogspot.com/

  9. I so agree with what you say about feminism, it needs to be clearly addressed to stop confusion and unnecessary arguments. It annoys me when women say snide comments about girls outfit choices. Yes you can wear pvc! It's Fashion for goodness sake! Adore the outfit by the way!Emmie xxwww.topknotfringeandawhatnot.blogspot.co.uk

  10. I agree wholeheartedly! I've just written about Beyonce's new album and the Feminism row it created on my blogshanika-says.blogspot.co.ukHave a read and let me know what you think..Shanika

  11. I absolutely love this look, and the coat is amazing! You have a great blog and great style! Would you like to follow each other? I am your new follower in GFC #446 , I also follow you in bloglovin, twitter and instagram. I hope you will visit my blog and follow me also in bloglovin,instagram,witter and gfc.Olgawww.impromp-two.blogspot.com

  12. you look fab and i completely agree with your argument, surely feminism is about dressing for yourself and not the approval of men anyway? If society stops because you're wearing a bit of PVC then i think society is the problem, not your amazing skirt.sara xstuds-on-saturday.blogspot.co.uk

  13. Love the look, I have a PVC skirt and I'm a feminist! Ignore people like that, most people don't actually know what feminism is and their definitions are stuck in the past. I find smiling and waving the best option when people comment and point at my outfit choices. :)www.bangtheblitz.blogspot.co.uk

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