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The Oscar winner's decision to wear a gown with a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit in freezing weather kicked off a debate on choice and feminism.
Jennifer Lawrence wore a stunning black Versace gown, with a plunging neckline and a thigh high slit, to the photocall for an event in London before the release of her new film Red Sparrow. The only problem -- for many on Twitter at least -- was that the photocall was outside in London's freezing weather.
Temperatures that day were hovering at 4ºC and everyone else at the photocall other than Lawrence -- director Francis Lawrence, actor Matthias Schoenaerts, actor Joel Edgerton and actor Jeremy Irons -- were all wearing long pants, coats and boots.
One Twitter user wrote, 'This is such a quietly depressing (and revealing) image. Not least because I've been outside today and it's bloody FREEZING.'
Another tweeted, 'Yup. And the sheer number of men I know who come to press junkets freshly rolled out of bed when their female counterparts have been up since 4am going thru hair & makeup. The expectations women are expected to fill physically in order to be considered "hardworking" are ten fold.'
Lawrence, however, had a different take, and she took to Facebook to respond.
The 27-year-old Oscar winner wrote, 'Wow. I don't really know where to get started on this "Jennifer Lawrence wearing a revealing dress in the cold" controversy. This is not only utterly ridiculous, I am extremely offended.
'That Versace dress was fabulous, you think I'm going to cover that gorgeous dress up with a coat and a scarf?
'I was outside for five minutes. I would have stood in the snow for that dress because I love fashion and that was my choice.
'This is sexist, this is ridiculous, this is not feminism.
'Overreacting about everything someone says or does, creating controversy over silly innocuous things such as what I choose to wear or not wear, is not moving us forward. It's creating silly distractions from real issues. Get a grip people. Everything you see me wear is my choice. And if I want to be cold THAT'S MY CHOICE TOO!'
As is the norm with all social media controversies, there were also many who were outraged on Lawrence's behalf and hailed her response.
One fan wrote, ;Fantastic response to the outrage brigade! As women we don't need to be told how to dress and to button up lest we get a chill. Again it's patronising & assumes you don't know yr own mind. You absolutely rocked that dress.'
Another wrote, 'Can we stop apologizing for femininity yet? Can we stop apologizing for personal choices of expression? Better yet, can we not be placed in a position where we are attacked for how we choose to express ourselves? #wecandobetter.'
