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I remember a few years back when Julia Roberts appeared on the red carpet and made headlines for all the supposed wrong reasons. Her crime? Being caught with unshaven armpits on the red carpet.
The fashion police were ruthless.
From headlines that questioned her hygiene to mocking and atrocious puns like “Pitty woman,” the amount of scrutiny that she was given highlighted an unhealthy obsession society has with women’s hair.
More specifically, women’s natural body hair.
Society has long taught us that the things that are most natural to us are the things we should be ashamed of and hide.
Vogue has a great gallery celebrating fashion icons that weren't afraid of showing off their underarm hair. They include Grace Jones, Sophia Loren, Lisa Bonet, Kelsey Lu and Lady Gaga.
READ MORE: Female athletes who broke records and the rules at major sporting events in absolute style
But these days, when it comes to fashion and the red carpet, more celebrities are learning to break the rules and are doing everything from pairing sneakers with their dresses to wearing oversized clothes that aim for comfort instead of looking 'sexy'.
Recently, actress Bella Thorne rocked up at a screening in casual wear that looked both chic and comfortable. Most notably though, her outfit showcased her unshaven armpits – something that decidedly feels like a nod in support of celebrating the body hair movement.
Teen Vogue reports that it’s not the first time she’s rebelled against what society considers fashionable and has previously also been seen in public rocking fishnet socks and fuzzy slippers.
And she’s only one of many rule breakers.
READ MORE: Rocking pastels has become a classic trend - here's how you can pull it off, on a budget this summer
Janelle Monáe
Everyone in our team agrees that Janelle Monáe is the gift that keeps giving. She’s got style, she’s got flair and she’s not afraid of experimenting both on and off the red carpet.
From rocking power suits, to marrying custom made hats with outfits that shouldn’t work but do, Janelle has always been a style icon – but one whose style only seems to be celebrated now. A mistake many are still apologising for.
Oh and who can forget the iconic vagina pants in Pynk, one of her latest music videos from her album Dirty Computer?
Iconic.
Solange
Another iconic musician who needs no introduction. The Don’t Touch My Hair singer has never been afraid of making a statement that screams ‘not your average’ fashionista. Every look and every hairstyle make a statement that’s meant to get people talking.
And who can forget her Met Gala look, where she took to Twitter and trusted us enough to help her choose what she would wear to the event.
A true queen!
Kristen Stewart
No one can argue that Kristen’s look has become quite versatile over the years. Veering between both edgy and classic, it feels very much like Kristen has become a lot more comfortable with being on the red carpet.
A quick browse through Instagram and I came across a caption, which actually makes perfect sense – and it goes something along the lines of how the more Kristen came to terms with her own sexuality, the more comfortable she seems in her own skin.
And for me that feels very much like something that’s present every time she steps out onto the red carpet. We love!
Zodwa Wabantu
The criticism of Zodwa's clothing choices (or lack thereof, which has been the source of the complaints), show that South Africa still has a long way to go in terms of accepting women who don’t dress conservatively.
Zodwa’s ownership and boldness in her fashion choices speaks of someone who is confident in her own body.
Just like we don’t shame people for dressing modestly, why should we shame someone who chooses to forgo wearing underwear or wearing revealing clothing?
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