Why Do People Think It’s OK To Police Emma Watson’s Fashion Choices?

It's 2021. Enough already.

Emma Watson wearing a white gown from Harris Reed

by Natalie Hammond |
Updated on

As a woman, it's very hard to move through the world and not experience some sort of policing when it comes to what you're wearing. Something Emma Watson, a person who's been in the spotlight since she was 11 years old, knows only too well. The tabloids fell over themselves on Sunday, when the actor appeared at this year's Earthshot Prize. As she arrived on the green carpet wearing a cream tulle gown over black flared trousers, one newspaper ran with a headline, 'Maybe Baby. Is Emma Watson Pregnant?'

Emma Watson at 2021's Earthshot Prize
Emma Watson at 2021's Earthshot Prize ©Getty

The dress in question, which was made out of upcycled wedding dresses from Harris Reed, had a voluminous silhouette, which, if you're a woman of certain age, automatically suggests, at least in the eyes of some, that you must have something to hide. Why else would you want to cover up (seems to be the suggestion)? Why wouldn't you want to 'flaunt' your figure?

In an ironic plot twist, Watson was then lambasted for wearing something too revealing for her interview with Al Gore. The ensemble was custom-made by Emilia Wickstead. And while the designer is known for her modest take on womenswear, with an emphasis on soft power dressing, this particular outfit featured a caped crop top that showed a hint of black bra. One newspaper put the question, 'Where's the rest of it?' in the headline of an online article, followed by the phrase, 'Emma Watson is ridiculed for ANOTHER bizarre outfit.'

The substance of the criticism seemed to be whether or not this was an 'appropriate' look for an event about the climate crisis. But whether it's women wearing stilettos to work or women being told that a miniskirt means you're 'asking for it', what gives some people the right to judge what is and isn't appropriate on other people? Watson is an accomplished women who clearly felt that the outfit was a suitable choice (it was made from leftover materials so has been praised on the sustainability front). Isn't that enough?

The days of 'hot or not' lists are over, but speculation still swirls about what women wear and whether or not it fits certain parameters (and those, it has to be said, are often set by men). Isn't it time to let people wear what they damn well want? Haven't we got bigger fish to fry that someone showing their midriff? Apparently not.

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SHOP: The Best Sustainable Brands To Add To Your Wardrobe

OMNES, Leonie Midi Shirt Dress in Black Orange Check, £691 of 31

OMNES, Leonie Midi Shirt Dress in Black Orange Check, £69

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Baum Und Pferdgarten, Ahadi Dress, £1892 of 31

Baum Und Pferdgarten, Ahadi Dress, £189

Baum und Pferdgarten's Responsible Edit are made from organic cotton and recycled fabrics to be 'considerate to the planet, and its people'. The full range starts from £49, and doesn't compromise on the Scandi cool that the brand is known for.

Monika The Label, Camille Animal Print Slip Dress, £2703 of 31

Monika The Label, Camille Animal Print Slip Dress, £270

Monika The Label is a UK brand made in North London. They also produce the majority of the collection in organic cotton or Regenesis Light Satin (a material made out of recycled plastic bottles), and use deadstock fabric to create bandanas and scrunchies.

Mashu, Cassiopeia Cork and White, £4324 of 31

Mashu, Cassiopeia Cork and White, £432

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Shaina Mote, Lucqa Top In Salt, £142.42

This minimalist brand, based in LA, is all about timeless staples with 'made locally' credentials, such as effortless slip dresses and sweaters with added slouch. Tencel, made from eucalyptus trees, rayon, made from wood pulp, and MicroModal, from beechwood trees, are three of its sustainably harvested hero materials.

The Level Store, Linen Blazer, £696 of 31

The Level Store, Linen Blazer, £69

One of the easiest ways to lower your carbon footprint is to buy second-hand. The Level Store, an online marketplace that aims to promote a circular economy, takes the rummage hassle out of vintage shopping. The edit of classic trenches, tailoring, sweaters and handbags is impressively premium, plus it donates €1 from every order to reforestation projects in Portugal.

Sheep Inc, 001 Medium Knit Lupin Lilac, £1607 of 31

Sheep Inc, 001 Medium Knit Lupin Lilac, £160

The clue's in the name. Sheep Inc is a carbon-negative, 100% transparent sweater brand. Each wool jumper comes with a digital tag, meaning you can track its manufacturing journey from New Zealand to your wardrobe. Test out its mantra – 'Strangers will want to pet you' – for yourself.

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Hereu, Plaited Padded-detail Shoulder Bag, £346

Mediterranean Spain, and its legacy of craftsmanship, is the inspiration behind accessories label Hereu. The shoes (flat loafers, espadrilles and lace-ups) and bags (baskets and woven leather cross-bodies) are all designed and produced in Barcelona.

O Pioneers, Milly Blouse, £1709 of 31

O Pioneers, Milly Blouse, £170

If you can't get enough of prairie dresses, you need to know about O Pioneers. Founded in north London, the limited-edition and one-off designs are handmade using deadstock and vintage fabrics. Fun fact: co-founder Clara Francis made the beaded headress Emma Watson wears in Little Women.

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Ssōne, Joanie Embroidered Recycled-Cashmere Sweater, £473

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Hai, Puff Gina, £12211 of 31

Hai, Puff Gina, £122

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All Blues, S-link Gold-Vermeil Bracelet, £50012 of 31

All Blues, S-link Gold-Vermeil Bracelet, £500

The weighty chain-link necklace is set to continue its reign as one of the year's most-desired pieces. Join the club the sustainable way with All Blues, which handcrafts its designs in Stockholm from recycled sterling silver. The definition of a forever piece.

Rave Review, Striped Upcycled-Wool Jacket, £71513 of 31

Rave Review, Striped Upcycled-Wool Jacket, £715

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ESSĒN, Foundation Flats, £149

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Veja, Rio Branca Ripstop Kaki Pearl, £10515 of 31

Veja, Rio Branca Ripstop Kaki Pearl, £105

The Duchess of Sussex is a fan - and you will be too once you hear the roll call of Veja's sustainable and ethical credentials. Founded in 2005, it buys agro-ecological cotton and rubber directly from family producers in Brazil, signing one to three year contracts to guarantee income, its logistics workers are part of Atelier Sans Frontieres, an organisation promoting the professional integration of people who have been excluded from the labour market, and it's the first trainer brand to use B-mesh, a fabric made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. It has also purchased 195 tons of wild rubber, to preserve 120,000 hectares of the Amazon rainforest, since 2004.

Reformation, Mandy Minimal Block Heel Mule, £21516 of 31

Reformation, Mandy Minimal Block Heel Mule, £215

Reformation is as dedicated to sustainability as it is to making Insta hit after Insta hit. Its RefScale tracks its environmental footprint - adding up the pounds of carbon dioxide emitted, gallons of water used and pounds of waste generated - so that the company can then offset those resources. International shipping is now free - and totally offset, naturally.

Allbirds, Women's Wool Runners, £9517 of 31

Allbirds, Women's Wool Runners, £95

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Mother Of Pearl, Zariah Belted Ruched Cotton-Blend Poplin Midi Dress, £17518 of 31

Mother Of Pearl, Zariah Belted Ruched Cotton-Blend Poplin Midi Dress, £175

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Peony, Gingham Check Print Swimsuit, £15519 of 31

Peony, Gingham Check Print Swimsuit, £155

This Aussie brand has prettily printed bikinis and swimsuits made largely from Econyl, nylon that has been regenerated from abandoned fishing nets and nylon waste. All its fabrications also meet the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, the highest certifiable standard for ensuring responsible use of chemicals during the fabric construction.

Bassike, Printed Cotton-Twill Shorts, £87.5020 of 31

Bassike, Printed Cotton-Twill Shorts, £87.50

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Fisch, Select Fish-Print Low-Back Swimsuit, £19521 of 31

Fisch, Select Fish-Print Low-Back Swimsuit, £195

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E.L.V, Mid Blue Match Boyfriend Jean, £28522 of 31

E.L.V, Mid Blue Match Boyfriend Jean, £285

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RE/DONE, Wonder Woman 1984 Cheetah-Print Stretch-Jersey Body, £155

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Everlane, The Utility Barrel Pant, £71

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Adidas By Stella McCartney, Treino Mid-Cut Print Shoes, £170

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Ninety Percent, Tie-Dyed Organic Cotton-Jersey Track Pants, £91

Ninety Percent does exactly what it says on the tin, donating 90% of its profits, and has a platform on its website that allows customers to vote for their chosen cause after making a purchase. Its materials are strictly sourced from reputable suppliers, and features a lot of tencel, a fabric made from renewable wood pulp in a closed loop system.

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Lee, Breese in Dark Joni, £52.50

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Mercer, W3RD Vegan Wine Sneaker, £225

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WEAR DEADSTOCK, Dickies Lagrange Peach Hoodie, £49.99

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SlowCo, D THE BRAND, Red Tulle Midi Dress, £227

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Damson Madder, Faith Check Fleece Over Shirt, £85

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