Jo Raphael: Stop telling Hilary Barry what she shouldn't wear

Hilary Barry's shoulders are not something we should be worried about, writes Jo Raphael. Photo / TVNZ

OPINION

People need to stop telling women what they can and can't wear.

It's tiresome, misogynistic, so last century, and, quite frankly, I'm over it.

Seven Sharp presenter Hilary Barry has this week had to defend yet another of her style choices after a viewer commented on a blouse she thought exposed a tad too much skin (yes, this time it is a woman criticising another woman online over her clothes).

Barry wore a pink halter-neck top with cut-outs exposing her shoulders.

I thought the blouse looked beautiful and that Barry's arms looked toned and tanned.

Yet this did not go down well for one viewer who wrote: "Hilary, that top is hardly appropriate for the role of a TV presenter. Come on you can do better than this."

Barry responded: "Perhaps you could be more specific?"

At the time of writing this editorial, there had been no reply.

Not everyone will agree with what Barry wears, but these people need to keep their outdated opinions to themselves.

This is not the first time since hosting Seven Sharp that Barry has had to deal with comments attacking her fashion.

Last year self-appointed fashion commentator Ken wrote: "Good god, Hilary! What are you wearing tonight? Looks like something you picked up at an op shop? Get some style advice, girl."

The "girl" hit back with: "P*** off Ken".

I'm sure Barry's editors, producers, even hair and makeup stylists would have suggested she change her outfit if any of them thought that her choice was inappropriate.

Another viewer, Geoff, also took offence to her exposed shoulders on another occasion: "Please encourage Hilary to dress properly. Exposed shoulders are for the young."

Excuse me? How dare he? It beggars belief that someone can take it upon himself to admonish someone for wearing a garment he believes is for the "young".

There's something about the relative anonymity that a social media comment affords that emboldens people to think they have a right to speak to others in ways that they normally wouldn't "in real life".

In an age where people are having to deal with the real issues of a global pandemic, how much we can see of a TV presenter's shoulders is petty and not important.

Barry's golden reaction can be summed up: "This is for every Geoff who ever told a woman what to wear or what part of her body to cover up. We will not be told. Not now. Not ever."

The critics need to get with the programme, or change the channel.