In Defence of Realisation Par’s ‘Sexist’ Dress
Is this dress sexist?
That was the question splashed across headlines on news sites, fashion platforms, and social media about Realisation Par’s Diane Dress. After been spotted worn by every It-girl, model, and super blogger from here to LA and back again twice over, you can’t deny its status as dress of the moment, so it was only a matter of time before it gathered enough traction to the site, where the ‘story’ of the dress goes a little like this:
Here’s what we know. Men love sundresses. We also know this point is actually pointless because we women dress for ourselves and ourselves only. But sometimes…. just sometimes you need a get-out-of-jail-free card. Maybe you forgot to take the trash out or you scratched your dads car or maybe you were really late and you forgot do the one thing they asked you to do. Whatever the reason, The Diane dress is the solution. This is the dress that makes them forget why they were even mad at you in the first place and the only thing that really matters is: If you’re bad at being good, you better be damn good at getting out of it. Trust us. You’re welcome.
Yeah. It’s easy to see why it caused a little rift. It does use a ditzy, oopsy, silly-me-stereotype to sell a pretty piece of silk. It’s dumb and hypersexualised. And the weird reference mentioning dads? That made me feel a little uncomfortable too. Kat George wrote a scathing piece about the Diane Dress, calling it out for whittling our female power into “a shape that’s less threatening to, and more acceptable for, masculinity”. And every time we buy a Diane dress, or something similar, we’re complicit in losing our power as women. Yikes.
I’m the first person to say I’m a feminist, but I’m here to argue in defence of the dress. Take away the story of this dress and what are you left with? A pretty piece of silk, spangled in stars. I’ve always said fashion and our sartorial choices should be about how you feel: empowering, giving confidence, and allowing you to be the best possible version of yourself, and the thing about this dress is that it’s universally flattering, absolutely timeless, and fits like a total dream. It’s the kind of piece that would look incredible on a 6ft tall, slim model-esque woman, and look equally as stunning on someone petite with a much curvier frame thanks to it’s wrap style and cinched waist. Trends don’t affect this dress, you’ll pull it out season on season and it’ll still radiate that retro flair that never falls out of favour.
So yes, Realisation Par have come across stupid selling this dress on the effect it has on men. What they really should have done is sell it on the effect it would have on the woman wearing it – making her feel confident, powerful, sassy – whatever or however she wants to feel.
So if you like feeling good – because trust me, it’s impossible not to feel good in a dress like this – here’s an edit of some more affordable and similar styles.
I’m wearing Realisation Par Diane Dress (duh) VVA Poppy Satchel, Topshop Mules
So girly & gorgeous with great words to match – wish I could pull this off xxx
http://www.lurchhoundloves.com
The dress is beautiful! And of course the dress is not sexist… The story that goes with it, that is sexist! Your are right, dressing should be about what you feel, not about pleasing other people (in this case, men) 🙂
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Love reading this post think it was excellent! Females should always dress for themselves xx
I agree their marketing is stupid but the dress and other options you put at the bottom are beautiful. I need to go shopping for a tea dress now!
Alice Rose.co
You're looking like Monica Bellucci in that movie "Malena"!!! Stunning and so feminine!
http://www.lartoffashion.com/2016/07/18/patched-up/
Haha that's so sweet – thank you!
The dad reference definitely made me cringe
I guess we are past "sex sells" & now it's "sexism sells"
Onyxsta xx
BLEURGH- http://www.bleurghnow.com
I have to agree with you, take away the story and the dress is still stunning.
http://raisiespeaks.com/
That dress is gorgeous and looks so good on you – I really liked what you said about how fashion should be about how it makes you feel. x
electraviolet.co.uk
I love this dress and you look awesome in it 🙂 I am thinking about buying the Realisation Par dress as well, but I am not sure about the sizing. What size did you get?
Regards from germany!
So Gorgeous and looks fab on you:) where did you get this dress from?
Love the dress love polka dresses to ,its nice to see a girl with a bit of meat on her bones having a fashion blog
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