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Fashion has always been a form of self-expression, but for women, it carries a weight that goes beyond style or personal taste. In today’s world, a woman’s clothing is still often seen as a marker of her character and intentions, with assumptions made about her morality, respectability, and consent. This troubling link between fashion and victim-blaming is at the heart of rape culture, where society too often scrutinises what a woman was wearing rather than holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. There needs to be a strong commitment to dismantling this harmful misconception, to allow women to claim their right to autonomy and self-expression without fear or judgement.
Clothing and Consent: A Toxic Assumption
For generations, women have been falsely conditioned to believe that how they dress can protect them or, conversely, invite harm. We still hear phrases like “She was asking for it” or “What did she expect, dressed like that?”. Such statements reflect a culture that places the blame on women rather than on those who commit acts of violence. This pervasive attitude forces women to police themselves, to dress ‘appropriately’, and to avoid being ‘provocative’ – as if safety could ever truly be found in fabric choices.
Dr Eliza Foster, a lecturer in gender studies, emphasises, “Clothing cannot and does not convey consent. This belief simply shields perpetrators from responsibility and reinforces damaging stereotypes that bind women to unjust standards.” In reality, consent should always be explicit and can never be implied through a person’s attire. The idea that a woman’s clothing could somehow give permission is a dangerous distortion that feminist movements are actively challenging.
Fashion as Rebellion and Empowerment
Throughout history, fashion has been used as a way to express rebellion against repressive ideals. Fashion is again being used as a response, and women around the world are claiming their right to dress freely, using fashion as both a form of self-expression and a statement of defiance. The ‘SlutWalk’ movement, for instance, began in 2011 as a reaction to a Toronto police officer telling female students that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimised”, and has since spread globally. During these marches, women of all backgrounds wore whatever they chose – whether it was short skirts, jeans, or they were covered head to toe – to make a bold point: what someone wears never invites or excuses assault. ‘SlutWalk’ was a rallying cry for autonomy, a refusal to allow society’s prejudices to dictate how women should present themselves.
Movements like #MeToo and ‘Time’s Up’ have similarly highlighted how women can use clothing to make powerful statements. When actresses and activists wore black at the 75th Golden Globes Awards and the BAFTA Awards in 2018, they demonstrated that fashion could be a symbol of resistance, a means to unify and stand against harassment and objectification. By choosing attire that conveys strength and solidarity, these movements show how fashion can be reclaimed as a voice for empowerment rather than judgement.
Changing the Narrative: A Call for Respect and Autonomy
The fashion industry is slowly shifting, recognising its role in shaping cultural narratives around women’s clothing and autonomy. Many brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Zara, are now offering collections that celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all body types, and have even begun to challenge the traditional labels of ‘men’s’ and ‘women’s’ clothing. By promoting the message that clothes do not define consent, the industry is contributing to a cultural shift where a woman’s attire is seen as an expression of herself, not as an invitation for scrutiny.
Yet, as we continue to question and transform these norms, the deeper societal change remains crucial. Clothing should be a reflection of personal choice and identity, not a measure of moral worth or an indicator of availability. The misconception that a woman’s outfit conveys consent needs to be eradicated, and it is our collective responsibility to shift our perspective from victim-blaming to accountability.
As we look toward a future free from these harmful stereotypes, we must remember that true empowerment lies in allowing people the freedom to exist without judgement. Fashion, once a medium of constraint, can now be a bold proclamation, a refusal to conform to damaging expectations. In challenging the idea that what women wear has anything to do with consent, we are standing up for a world where every person, regardless of their attire, can live without fear.
Ultimately, fashion is not a silent bystander in this conversation; it is a tool, a statement, and an emblem of resilience. In claiming the right to dress as we please, we remind the world that consent is never woven into the fabric of our clothes, and no outfit can define or diminish our right to give or withhold it.
