Singer Billie Eilish, the face of the newest Calvin Klein campaign for #MYCALVINS, reveals the reasoning behind her oversized wardrobe. She explained that she opts to hide her body from the public rather than have it scrutinized or sexualized.
Since her rise to fame, Eilish has been known for her unique style, often wearing huge sweat suits or oversized jackets, which many criticize due to their shapelessness, claiming her fashion choices overwhelm her body. After much media attention for her choice of clothing, Eilish finally commented publicly on her look in her Calvin Klein campaign.
Eilish states in the commercial, “I never want the world to know everything about me. I mean, that’s why I wear big baggy clothes: Nobody can have an opinion, because they haven’t seen what’s underneath.”
The advertisement is unique in that it doesn’t actually feature the traditional Calvin Klein underwear at any point. Instead Eilish’s campaign features her wearing a baggy green jacket throughout the video.
The 17-year-old is among the youngest to represent the brand, and her campaign has caused many to react to the sexualization of women’s bodies by the media, many of which are young, like Eilish.
Twitter user, @uhlibb states in a tweet, “billie eilish saying she wears big clothes because she doesn’t want people commenting on her body kind of breaks my heart.”
Eilish goes on to give examples of critical comments many women and girls receive about their bodies: “ Nobody can be like, ‘She’s slim-thick’, ‘She’s not slim-thick’, ‘She’s got a flat ass’, ‘She got a fat ass,’” explaining that because of her clothing choices, the public doesn’t know anything about her body type.
The disclosure of Eilish’s reason for her fashion choices has caused many to rally around her in support.
Twitter user, @danielgaylewis stated in a tweet, “billie eilish said she wears oversized baggy clothes to prevent people from body shaming and sexualizing her. maybe now you clowns can stop bullying a teenage girl because of her clothing choices.”
While Eilish has received mass support for her comments, her philosophies regarding her body have started dialogue online about how women’s bodies are policed, calling for a change in the media, so women and young girls like Eilish don’t have to hide theirs in order for the public to focus on their talents or accomplishments.
Twitter user, @cregishuman, stated in a tweet, “Billie Eilish said she wears baggy clothes so she can’t be judged by the way her body looks which is dope but also pretty sad that she has to resort to that.”
Photo source: Screenshot from Eilish’s Calvin Klein advertisement on Youtube
