by
CORDELIA TAI
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IMAGE: IMAXTREE |
On September 30,
Maria Grazia Chiuri made
her Dior debut — and the word of the day was feminism. As Beyonce’s “Flawless” played in the background, Chiuri showcased a collection filled with images of female strength. Models wore sensible sneakers with gala-ready gowns, gauzy princess skirts with professional blazers. Their (queen) bee-embellished fencing kits glowed like armor. But the most overt statement came in the form of a message tee that read
We Should All Be Feminists (after Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s
essay of the same name). The second it hit the runway, Dior’s fanbase — male and female alike — duly lost their minds.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t a see-now, buy-now number. Of course, now that the tee has (kind of) hit the market, it’s a total street style staple — especially given the timeliness of its message. Last Saturday, millions marched on major cities throughout the world in support of women’s rights (among them Rihanna and Natalie Portman, both in Dior’s feminist T-shirt). Just three days later, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that will effectively make abortion unaffordable for millions of women. As congress deliberated, Paris Haute Couture week kicked off. Whether in celebration of its creator’s
first couture collection or in response to world events — or both — everyone turned out in the It tee.
Like the rest of the fashion world, we’re itching to voice our girl power. Ideally, we’d do so in Dior, but the feminist T-shirt
reportedly costs around $550 and we don’t see Chiuri gifting us one anytime soon. What’s a financially savvy, fashion-loving feminist to do? Asked and answered. Click through the slideshow below for 10 chic, affordable, politically savvy alternatives to the feminist apparel of the season. (Plus, see how models and celebs are styling their amazing, elusive Dior crewnecks.)
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IMAGE: IMAXTREE |
Pay homage to the "second-wave" feminists in 70s-inspired clear-framed glasses and shearling-lined leather.
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Accessorize with an eye-catching shoulder bag that'll (subtly) highlight your message.
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Accentuate your badass shirt with a rocker-chic motorcycle jacket.
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...or bring things into the here and now with a futuristic puffer.
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Pair your classic white tee with classic black skinnies, then dress up the look with a vintage belt and fuzzy jacket. The finishing touch? Sky-high heels that show just as much verve as your shirt.
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...or keep the faux fur outerwear and skin-tight jeans formula, but opt for a lighter (read: gray) palette.
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On the left, a laid-back look. On your right, a punky ensemble that matches the tone of the feminist topper. The model's studded, destroyed jeans, chunky metal choker and menswear-inspired brogues really hammer home the message of anti-establishmentarianism and gender equality.
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IMAGE: IMAXTREE |
Take a page out of Maria Grazia Chiuri's book and style your tee with a sweet pastel skirt. Blend the romantic with the practical — stay warm in knee-high boots and a down jacket. Top things off with the quintessential Paris girl hat.
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IMAGE: IMAXTREE |
Fight the patriarchy one pair of stockings at a time. This layering tactic turns fishnets' traditional pin-up connotations on their head.
make the case for gender equality by taking menswear staples and making them unequivocally yours, à la Rihanna.
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