CULTURE

Jennifer Lawrence Responds to “Utterly Ridiculous” Concerns Over Her Not Wearing a Coat in 40-Degree Weather

“You think I’m going to cover that gorgeous dress up?”


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David M. Benett/Getty Images

On Tuesday, Jennifer Lawrence spent time promoting her upcoming film Red Sparrow in London. For the press day, she dressed in a gorgeous black Versace gown with a plunging sweetheart-style neckline and a hip-high slit, which she paired with strappy black heels. It was a look reminiscent of Elizabeth Hurley’s famed Versace safety pin dress moment, and Lawrence clearly wanted her photo moment as well. So when she stepped outside for a quick photo op in 40 degree London she did so sans coat, which did make for a rather stark comparison with the men around her. Co-star Joel Edgerton was wearing not one but two coats, afterall.

Shortly after the pic hit the internet, Twitter users began to voice their concerns over Lawrence’s choice to go sleeveless while surrounded by a group of well-bundled men. The overall sentiment of these well-meaning commenters seemed to be that the snapshot perfectly conveyed the differences in our expectations for men and women in Hollywood: While men are allowed to cover up completely, women are often expected to be “sexy” at all times and in all climates.

In a post on her Facebook page on Wednesday, however, Lawrence rejected these concerns, pointing out that they all seemed to contain the inherent assumption that she has no agency in how she dresses or otherwise ventures out into the cold. “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,” she wrote. “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 5 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. Over- reacting 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 THATS MY CHOICE TOO!”

David M. Benett/Getty Images
David M. Benett/Getty Images

Though the majority of those who expressed concern about Lawrence’s lack of coat were presumably trying to make a (very valid) point about sexism in the entertainment industry and society in general, in doing so, they inadvertently stripped Lawrence of her agency. It’s a tricky line to walk: Though there’s still plenty of rampant sexism and misogyny at play in Hollywood and beyond, it’s important to remember that women are perfectly capable of making their own decisions — and showing off gorgeous Versace gowns in any weather condition is occasionally one of them.

Related: Jennifer Lawrence Danced on a Stripper Pole, and Isn’t Sorry About It

Jennifer Lawrence’s Style Evolution, From Teen Star to Dior Darling

As a Hollywood newbie, Jennifer Lawrence first proved that she has style by wearing a strapless silver mermaid-styled gown with intricate pleating detail to the 65th Venice Film Festival closing ceremony.

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Wearing her hair in loose waves, the actress looked youthful and flirty as she showed off her killer shape in a fitted strapless midi dress while attending Nylon Magazine’s TV issue launch party in West Hollywood.

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In Beverly Hills at the premiere of The Burning Plain Lawrence opted for a metallic one-shoulder dress, black satin pumps and a bold red lip for a bit of edge.

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Lawrence wore a bold coral shift dress and snakeskin pumps to spice up her style at a beauty launch in New York.

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The actress arrived to the 14th annual Hollywood Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, California, looking fresh-faced in a Grecian-style Thakoon gown.

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Wearing a fitted ombre sequin midi dress, Lawrence looked feminine and sexy while at the 2011 Critics Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles, California.

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At the 2011 Screen Actor’s Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California, Lawrence wowed the crowd as she showed off her figure in a vivid pink Oscar De La Renta gown.

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An edgier side of Lawrence emerged as she attended the People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles wearing a daring Viktor and Rolf dress with mesh cutouts and wave designs.

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She dressed the part of Hollywood’s new Golden Girl at the Los Angeles premiere of The Hunger Games wearing a gold Prabal Gurung gown with side cutouts.

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Lawrence channeled a modern princess in that infamous Dior Couture gown for the 2013 Oscars, where she won Best Actress (and tripped on her way up the stairs to collect the award).

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The superstar’s style took a sexy ans sophisticated turn when she opted for Lanvin’s interpretation of the LBD with side cutouts and an embellished halter neckline at the 2013 Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California.

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Lawrence arrived to the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles, California, rocking her stylish new pixie cut and wearing a stunning strapless white-and-black Dior confection.

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At the 2014 Oscars in Hollywood, California, the actress topped best-dressed lists thanks to this red peplum Dior gown.

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Baring side-boob in a Dior couture gown with embellished cutouts, the actress attended The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 UK premiere in London.

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Lawrence strayed away from Dior in a sheer, black Schiaparelli dress to the final premiere of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 in New York.

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The actress emitted classic Hollywood glamour in a red formfitting Dior gown paired with Chopard jewelry at the 73rd Annual Gold Globes in Beverly Hills, California.

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Debuting her new platinum blonde bob, Lawrence looked sensational in a Dior sheer lace gown with a plunging neckline and feather-adorned waistline for the 88th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California.

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Jennifer Lawrence attends the “Passengers” Paris Photocall at Hotel George V on November 29, 2016 in Paris, France.

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Jennifer Lawrence attends a photocall for their film “Passengers” at Claridge’s Hotel on December 1, 2016 in London, England.

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Jennifer Lawrence poses at the photo call for Columbia Pictures’ “Passengers” at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on December 9, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.

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Jennifer Lawrence arrives at the premiere of Columbia Pictures’ ‘Passengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on December 14, 2016 in Westwood, California.

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Jennifer Lawrence attends the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017-2018 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 3, 2017 in Paris, France.

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Jennifer Lawrence attends the ‘mother!’ photo call during the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival at TIFF Bell Lightbox on September 10, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Walter McBride/FilmMagic)

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Jennifer Lawrence attends the ‘Mother!’ UK premiere at Odeon Leicester Square on September 6, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

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Jennifer Lawrence attends the French Premiere of “mother!” at Cinema UGC Normandie on September 7, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

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Jennifer Lawrence attends the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival premiere of ‘mother!’ at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 10, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

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Jennifer Lawrence attends ‘mother!’ New York Premiere at Radio City Music Hall on September 13, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic)

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