There was a story not too long ago about a girl in high school who was sent home because she was wearing a sleeveless shirt. That sleeveless shirt was on underneath her sweater. She was asked to remove her sweater in order for the “correct authorities” to determine whether or not she was showing too much skin. Why is it that in the 21st century we are still dealing with this kind of oppression?

Every day, girls must search through their closets, throw outfits together and think not only about what they want to wear, but also what they are allowed to wear. This isn’t a discussion of what is appropriate and what is not. Of course, there are situations where certain things shouldn’t be worn in an educational setting, but that list starts and ends with articles of clothing that are worn underneath an outfit. Anything else should be fine. So why are there paragraphs and paragraphs of regulations on the length of skirts and shorts? Why are shoulders shunned? Why is it so wrong for a girl to wear comfortable clothes in the summer?

The policing of women’s bodies doesn’t end there. We are told what we should wear and what we shouldn’t wear. If a girl prefers to wear revealing clothing, she is told that she’s dressing too sexually. And if that woman were to be raped, the clothing has been the one to take the blame instead of the rapist. If a girl prefers to dress modestly, she’s told that she should show some more skin. The clothing on a woman’s body changes from being an expression of herself to a tool for men to use to control women instead.

This spans across cultures, as well. If a woman wants to wear a headscarf, she can wear a headscarf. If she wants to cover every bit of skin she has, she can. The only person who should have any influence over a woman’s dress is that woman, and that woman alone. Instead of categorizing which outfits can be worn by whom, we should encourage women to wear what makes them comfortable and happy. We all need to embrace the varying body types and what each person feels comfortable with wearing.

It’s time to stop treating women’s bodies as objects and respect that no one has the authority to tell another person how they should look in order to be respected.