Should she have worn a dress?

[LunaMay]

I know im a bit late and sorry if this has been asked but....

Just that really? Why does making 'an effort' automatically mean wearing a dress anyway? I love her jacket..

thefix.ninemsn.com.au/2016/03/02/15/03/jesinta-campbell-clashes-with-reporter-who-says-mad-max-oscar-winner-should-put-on-a-dress

I don't think she is complaining is she? I doubt she gives a rat's arse what people think, and more power to her

OK, others complaining on her behalf.

Sharon Stone went in a $10 t-shirt from Gap one year. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, she did have a skirt on too That was a protest about how much people were expected to shell out on their clothes, nails and whatnot. That said, I don't think anyone expects the people in the technical categories to look fabulous, do they? More for the slebs.

The woman had the skill to design and make the most incredible costumes in cinema, I think she can wear what the fuck she likes to collect her award!

lass, I think there is a distinction between attention-seeking, and raising awareness - isn't there?

This woman started a widespread conversation. Many people -sadly, less perceptive than you - noticed that men at these events tend to wear similar outfits. Now, I do understand that you have stared at these men and their suits in great detail, so you feel it's really unfair that we noticed they all looked about the same. But, sorry ... they do all look the same.

Women at awards, OTOH, are required to look very different.

This is a bit, you know, unequal in terms of gender. Right? So, the answer might be to try to raise awareness. Obviously, a feminist raising awareness might anticipate a negative reaction. Misogynists often come out with those. But, unless a person is a misogynist or rather witless, they'll probably support her, won't they? So what is the issue?

Wasn't there a similar thread after the BAFTA awards? I think she should wear what she damned well pleases.

Besides, there was sparkly stuff on the back of her jacket. That should count for something.

A sparkly skull, no less!

Yeah, there was the hoo ha about Fry calling her a bag lady then flouncing off Twitter because he knows her and it was a joke that she laughed at and we should all know his BFFs and of course he wasn't insulting a woman on the basis of looks because that never happens and we are all ignorant proles whilst he is a special snowflake who can do no wrong.

Something like that, anyway!

I may still be narked about this shite from Fry:

But there is scant evidence that Fry learnt from his experience of allowing words to tumble out of his mouth unedited. Just a year later he told Attitude magazine that “the only reason women will have sex is that sex is the price they are willing to pay for a relationship with a man, which is what they want”. Later he tried to accuse the journalist of misquoting him, though a quick listen of the tape showed that not to be the case.

Fry is one of her best friends.

Yes, I know that. But Fry seemed pissed off that the world didn't know it and called him out on insulting her.

But, unless a person is a misogynist or rather witless, they'll probably support her, won't they? So what is the issue?

Tell me Jeanne am I misogynist or rather witless?

Why do I have to "support" her? I find it all rather tedious. The Oscars has a dress code- if it's too much effort - don't go.

Many people -sadly, less perceptive than you - noticed that men at these events tend to wear similar outfits. Now, I do understand that you have stared at these men and their suits in great detail, so you feel it's really unfair that we noticed they all looked about the same. But, sorry ... they do all look the same

That completely missed the point I was making about the criticism men get when they depart from classic black tie.

I doubt you're misogynist or witless, lass - I think, as you say, it's just too much effort for you.

That's fine. We can't all care about everything.

I think nominees can dress as they please

Though I do rather wish women would turn up in suits. It would be nice to have that, no make up, no mani cam, no heels, just suits. Or even jeans and sweatshirts.

just watched the video!! aww good on kate winslet for clapping away enthusiastically when all those horrid other people were just sat there staring at her in disapproval. Its one thing to secretly think that what someone is wearing is innapropriate its another thing to not applaud someone who has won an award because you don't think what theyre wearing is good enough, what disgusting behaviour.

Lest we forget, Ellen hosted the Oscars in a suit two years ago! I think most years there is a good sprinkling of women not in high end dresses (indeed Meryl Streep doesn't do the label thing but then what's the point when you're Meryl Streep?). However, many of the more famous actors (female but also some male) have endorsement contracts with fashion brands (Chanel, Dior) to promote their perfumes, and thus they are dressed by them for the event.

Ellen is an excellent example of looking extremely smart and gorgeous while staying far away from the dress and heels look.

Barefoot, Fry is indeed a massive twerp

Ellen hosted the Oscars in a suit two years ago

That's not really the point. Yves St. Laurent designed "le smoking" as "black tie" for women decades ago. It can looking stunning.

Re Stephen Fry- he was the subject of the daily YouGov poll recently. Much to my surprise the majority still think he's a national treasure.

Her looks should be irrelevant to her talent.

She looks like a large middle aged lady with grey hair but very interesting, and more importantly, a brilliant costume designer.

I don't see how forcing her into a flowing gown would have changed any of that, in fact, she would have been lambasted for being a large middle aged lady with grey hair in a tight shiny frock.

She looks like a normal person and everyone is just outraged as the amount of pampering, preparation, not eating for days, corsetting that goes on to get into the standard 'Oscar' frock was exposed.

She deserved to get the Oscar, and went dressed as herself, what could be more admirable than that.

Sharon Stone attended in a turtle neck sweater to highlight the shameful notion that one has to wear an expensive dress.

This "invisible" 60 year old woman beat all of her peers to claim the award, she can (and did) wear what the fuck she likes. She's earned it. She also makes a strong case to be judged on her talent alone.

The more I hear arguments for her having to look this way or that the more resolute I am in championing her.

www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-05-15/sarah-millican-twitter-was-a-pin-to-my-excitable-bafta-balloon

When you "make an effort" and still get shit.

This popped up on my Facebook newsfeed this morning and made me think of this thread:

www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2016/02/28/in_praise_of_1970s_and_1980s_oscar_style_when_there_were_no_stylists_and.html

Obviously there's a lot there that's about the differences in fashions between different periods. But it does also highlight the fact that the haute couture aspect of the Oscars is a fairly recent development. Jenny Beavan would probably have looked less out of place at a 70s Oscars ceremony!

Some PPs have said that the Oscars have a dress code and she should have followed it. Firstly - does it? It's not clear online whether they (currently) distribute an actual dress code to their guests or whether there is just a certain set of unwritten expectations. Secondly, are dress codes themselves problematic things from a feminist perspective...?

Hovis "Secondly, are dress codes themselves problematic things from a feminist perspective...?"

I don't have an issue with a dress code saying "smart" or whatever. There was a brilliantly funny incident in a place I worked when a staff member was almost mistaken for a homeless man sneaking in to use the loo...!

but I do have an issue with anything that specifies women wearing dresses and/or heels. In fact I can't believe it exists in 2016 but there you are. I'm still recovering - having found out on MN - from the fact that girls aren't automatically allowed to wear trousers at school. WTF.

interesting that Jenny mentioned having a bad back as a reason not to wear heels

I don't have a bad back. I could wear heels. I just cannot think of any good reason to put my feet in shoes I'd find hugely uncomfortable and impractical.

Considering some women feel it necessary to wear dresses cut down to the waist or plasters over nipples as a top I'm practically ecstatic that JB bucked the trend.

My favorite is Joanne Woodward, who wore a dress that she made herself when she won the 1957 Best Actress Oscar.