Committed women and fashion icons : 10 inspiring outfits
Fashion and feminism, an aberration ? On the occasion of International Women's Day, we wanted to come back to 10 women committed to defending the cause of women and influential in the fashion world. Because yes, defending gender equality and being a fashion icon at the same time is entirely possible. A look back at 10 inspiring female personalities and their looks !
These committed women :
Of course, there is more than 10 committed women but these fashion icons approach the women’s right theme differently and has a unique style.
That’s why we have chosen to highlight them today.
1) Gabrielle Chanel
How not to talk about Gabrielle Chanel ? Born in 1883, Coco Chanel revolutionized the female silhouette and broke codes. No more corsets and frilly dresses where it was impossible to move ! Gabrielle appropriates the men’s wardrobe to decline their classics in a feminine version: wide trousers, sailor sweaters, collarless tweed jackets… Wearing trousers was, for the time, an innovation. Indeed, the law had prohibited women from wearing them since the French Revolution. If these creations flouted the fashion codes of the time, these pieces have now become true classics.
The iconics of the Chanel house are the elegant little black dress that can be worn on any occasion, but also the tweed set and the marinière. We also find the immediately recognizable double C logo, the classic flap bag, the 2.55 bag born in February 1955, the two-tone espadrilles and the timeless little black jacket.
ICONICS
1. Haute couture Spring/summer 2022 Chanel. 2. Chanel double flap bag Chanel, 7800€. 3. Pink and white tweed jacket Chanel, 5640€. 4. Golden pearl and rhinestone brooch Chanel, 550€. 5. Dress in cotton and silk Chanel, 3540€. 6. 2.55 bag Chanel, 8250€. 7. Dress in cotton and silk Chanel, 3540€. 8. Lambskin espadrilles Chanel, 710€.
DUPES
1. Long-sleeved top with striped print and logo trim Claudie Pierlot on De Bijenkorf, 135€. 2. High Waisted Wide Leg Suit Pants NA-KD, 60,95€. 3. Wide leather belt with polished silver buckle - Black Asos Design, 14,99€.
2) Jane Fonda
If you probably don’t know her, that’s normal ! This Hollywood actress is 83 years old. However, Jane Fonda is one of his committed women whose name should be remembered. She has always fought to support causes close to her heart, even when the times were less suitable… Indeed, she took a stand against the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. She also showed her support for Native Americans and the Black Panthers movement… It was in the 1970s that she committed herself to gender equality. In 2005, she created the organization Women’s media center. It aims to make women visible and powerful in the media as well as to better represent them.
From a fashion point of view, Jane Fonda is the epitome of Hollywood class and glamour. She analyzes and reintegrates the codes of current fashion into her outfits: layering, the costume set, evening dresses and the combination of pink and red.
DUPES
1. Lilium satin blouse Mango on De Bijenkorf, 39,99€. 2. High Neck Merino Wool Sweater NA-KD, 60,95€. 3. Recycled Wide Leg Jeans NA-KD,60,95€36,57€. 4. Silo pleated satin polka dot scarf Galerie Lafayette, 20€. 5. Bart suede belt Mango on De Bijenkorf, 25,99€.
3) Meryl Streep
This great actress is linked to fashion through her role in the film “The Devil Wears Prada”. Her character, Miranda Priestly, is a Girl Boss who impresses with her fur and her haughty air. She knows what she wants and does not hesitate to assert her looks. However, it is also a symbol of the commitment to gender equality in Hollywood. First of all, she makes it a point of honor to choose strong female roles, especially with Mamma Mia. In 2015, she continued her fight and wrote an open letter to each member of the American Congress asking that the Equal Rights Amendment be adopted.
DUPES
1. Mid-length coat tied at the waist with faux fur trim Green Jayley,273,99€124,43€. 2. Liya jersey dress with side pockets L.K.Bennett, 170€. 3. Floral print scarf Mango, 15,99€. 4. Large crocodile-effect messenger bag NA-KD, 48,95€. 5. Suede Wedge Shoe L.K.Bennett on De Bijenkorf, 265€. 6. Aserpenth belt in leather with a croc structure Claudie Pierlot on De Bijenkorf, 145€. 7. Sunglasses BE3105 Burberry on De Bijenkorf,220€154€.
4) Michelle Obama
Former First Lady, Michelle Obama is an inspiring woman through her career and the values she defends. The cause of women, and more particularly access to education, is one of them. This is why she decided to launch the Global Girls Alliance program in 2018. The latter aims to democratize access to education and teaching for young girls. This project echoes her journey where no member of her family or even her neighborhood in South Chicago had had the opportunity to go to university before her.
Even if her status imposed a certain restraint on her, Michelle Obama showed us for 8 years that she had style. At a conference for the promotion of her book, she caused a sensation in her yellow dress signed Balmain and her sequined thigh-high boots at more than $4,000.
SHOP THE LOOK
1. Spring 2019 Ready-to-Wear Collection Dress Balenciaga. 2. Sequined thigh high boots Balenciaga,1800€1116€. 3. Odeon black leather thigh-high boots Balenciaga, 1890€.
DUPES
1. Missord Satin Drawstring Split Puff Sleeve Dress Shein, 37€. 2. Satin Wrap Shirt DressBoohoo, 28€. 3. Women's Light Gold Pointed Toe Sequin Winter Boots Milanoo, 111,55€.
5) Alicia Keys
Among these committed women, there is also Alicia Keys: exceptional RnB singer. In 2016, she chose to free herself from the social pressure that women face regarding the required beauty canons. That’s why she stops wearing makeup. Advocating for more authentic beauty may seem futile. However, this act claims freedom and above all a desire to please oneself before pleasing others. With her “She is the music” initiative, she is even more committed to the feminist cause. The mission of this organization is to increase the number of women working in music, who are currently underrepresented.
Her RnB music shines through in her outfits and advocates an urban style without falling into vulgarity. The total jeans look is a trend from the 2000s that is coming back for spring-summer 2021.
SHOP THE LOOK
1. Denim jacket with rhinestones Philosophy,1090,40€708,58€. 2. High-Rise straight jean Philosophy,744,64€223,84€.
DUPES
1. Denim jacket with pearls Tout à coup, 285€. 2. Embroidered denim jacket Sandro,426€213€. 3. Denim jacket Twist, 186,95€. 4. High rise mom jean River Island via Asos, 66,34€. 5. Straight jeans with Swarovski crystals Isabel Marant via Farfetch,1250€375€.
6) Natalie Portman
Known to the general public since her role in the film Léon and muse of Dior since 2011, Natalie Portman is a committed woman. In January 2018, during the Women’s March, the actress gave a poignant speech to defend women’s rights. The same year, she launched with 300 other actresses, the Time’s Up movement. Founded in response to the Weinstein affair and the hashtag #MeToo, this fund fights against sexual harassment in all professional circles. Emma Watson or Meryl Streep have also joined the movement.
American living in Paris, this dual nationality is reflected in her looks, where this French refinement is present in all these outfits.
SHOP THE LOOK
1. Houndstooth Blazer Givenchy,1790€1253€. 2. Black turtleneck bodysuit Wolford via ShopBop, 211€. 3. Butterfly frame sunglasses Garrett Leight via Farfetch, 362€.
DUPES
1. Houndstooth Blazer Tommy Hilfiger via Zalando,299,95€194,95€. 2. Houndstooth suit jacket Mango, 69,99€. 3. Small Gingham Check Blazer - Black New Look via Asos, 65,99€. 4. Houndstooth wool-blend blazer Alexandre Vauthier,2133€1066€. 5. Sunglasses MU 01VS Miu Miu on De Bijenkorf, 200€. 6. Sunglasses Lily SL213 Saint Laurent on De Bijenkorf, 275€.
7) Emma Watson
As a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador since 2014, this actress is an emblematic figure in the fight for women’s rights. With this status, Emma Watson is one of the most committed women of our generation. In 2018, she also joined the international Time’s Up movement. In addition, she donates 1million to the Justice and Equality fund which fights against sexual harassment in Great Britain.
This strong personality also appeals to designers since she was the muse of Lancôme and Chanel. Also, all of the Emma Watson appearances are neat. She is regularly invited to fashion shows.
SHOP THE LOOK
1. Givenchy Pre-Fall 2014. 2. Fitted blazer with contrast lapels Givenchy on Farfetch,1990€1393€. 3. Fitted blazer with contrast lapels Givenchy on Farfetch,890€534€. 4. Earings Charlotte Selin Kent, 766,27€. 5. Ring Selin Kent, 1424,83€.
DUPES
1. Satin Lapel Blazer Sandro on De Bijenkorf, 345€. 2. Straight suit trousers Acne Studios on De Bijenkorf, 370€. 3. Luna preformed lace bralette with removable padding Hunkemöller on De Bijenkorf,27,99€15€. 4. Square Buckle Leather Belt NA-KD, 30,95€. 5. Pouch Glamourous, 25,99€. 6. Suede sandals Maje on De Bijenkorf,137,50€275€. 7. Set of rhinestone earrings Mango, 15,99€.
8) Angèle
Angèle is one of these committed women. We all know that she fights daily against sexism and for the liberation of women. Its title “Balance ton quoi” made it possible to create an anthem and unite all those sensitive to the cause.
In connection with the #balancetonporc, the movement encourages women to speak out in the wake of injustice and sexual violence. In addition to her clip, Angèle also engages daily on her social networks, educating her community about ordinary sexism.
Why is she a fashion icon? Muse of Chanel, she embodies this rebellious woman that Coco Chanel was.
SHOP THE LOOK
1. Roll neck sweater Courrèges, 270€. 2. Tartan mini kilt skirt Christopher Kane on Farfetch, 545€.
DUPES
1. Turtleneck sweater Bruce Field on La Redoute,59€35€. 2. Chain tweed miniskirt Mango, 49,99€. 3.High neck long-sleeved t-shirt Mango,19,99€15,99€. 4. Plaid pleated skirt P.A.R.O.S.H on Farfetch,386€270€.
9) Yseult
Elected French female revelation of the year 2021 at the Victoire de la Musique, Yseult is the new phenomenon of French song who is shaking up the codes. She therefore fights against double discrimination: being a woman and being black. This is why his words are filled with revolt and anger. By winning the Victoires de la Musique, she made a very touching speech: “Success is a duty. It’s not over, the road is long as a black woman. The path is long as a fat woman, as a woman forgotten by society, forgotten by culture. We are here, we are here”. On this occasion, she wore a transparent bodysuit signed Thierry Mugler. His outfit was as strong as his message during this evening.
Fashion is, for her, a complement to her expression as an artist, she explains, in Paris Match. This is why during the previous show by Olivier Rousteing, Artistic Director at Balmain, she wore a magnificent unstructured white dress.
SHOP THE LOOK
1. Custom-made Haute Couture dress Balmain. 2. Custom-made Haute Couture set Balmain.
DUPES
1. Buttoned mini dress Balmain via Farfetch, 1690€. 2. Knitted buttoned dress Balmain on Farfetch, 1590€. 3. Belted trench coat Theory, 695€. 4. Trench coat Harris Wharf London, 602€. 5. High-waisted flared pants Victoria Beckham, 406€. 6. Structured corset top PLT Plus PrettyLittleThings,35€26€. 7. Corset top boat neck PLT Plus PrettyLittleThings,38€28€. 8. High neck mini dress Asos, 41,99€.
10. Meghan Markle
Actress Meghan Markle is on our list of committed women. Indeed, she became Duchess of the United Kingdom by marrying Prince Harry in 2018 and now devotes herself to multiple charities. However, from the age of 11, she wrote a letter to the first lady, Hilary Clinton, to have a sexist advertisement removed.
In 2015, she became United Nations Spokesperson for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Since then, she has regularly spoken at summits in favor of women’s rights such as “Girls Up” in July 2020.
Meghan’s style has evolved a bit since becoming a duchess. She now wears elegant monochromatic suits, pencil skirts and beautiful evening dresses associated with pumps and designer bags.
SHOP THE LOOK
1. Wool blend coat with tie belt Reiss via De Bijenkorf, 470€. 2. Toffee turtleneck sweater Massimo Dutti,49,95€35,95€. 3. Long satin skirt Massimo Dutti79,95€59,95€. 4. Romy 100 suede pumps Jimmy Choo via De Bijenkorf, 545€. 5. Hamsa ring Kismet by Milka, 401,91€. 6. Dangle Full circles bracelet Kismet by Milka, 639,40€.
DUPES
1. Double-breasted wool coat Mango, 119,99€. 2. Brown Ribbed Turtleneck Long Sleeve Sweater NA-KD, 30,95€. 3. Satin midi skirt NA-KD, 42,95€. 4. Asymmetric burgundy pumps Mango, 39,99€. 5. 18ct gold plated silver ring with blue and white zircon eye Twice as Nice, 19€. 6. Multi-row chain bracelet adorned with a semi-precious stone and golden disc charms Asos, 9,99€.
Through its 10 fashion icons, we realize that each of them is committed to gender parity and lead daily battles to hope that one day there will be no more women’s rights day.
