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

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!”

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