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Florence Pugh calls out 'vulgar' body-shamers after wearing nipple-baring dress

Florence Pugh has called out body-shamers who criticised her body after she wore a nipple-baring Valentino dress, pictured at the Valentino Haute Couture Fall/Winter 22/23 fashion show on July 08, 2022. (Getty Images)
Florence Pugh has called out body-shamers who criticised her figure after she wore a nipple-baring Valentino dress, pictured at the Valentino Haute Couture Fall/Winter 22/23 fashion show on July 08, 2022. (Getty Images)

Florence Pugh has hit back at body-shamers after rocking a sheer Valentino dress which revealed her nipples, calling out "vulgar" men for trying to "destroy a woman's body".

The Fighting With My Family star, 26, attended the Valentino Haute Couture Fall/Winter 22/23 fashion show in Rome, Italy, wearing a hot pink dress which featured a full-length tulle skirt, with a see-through halter neck, which gave a subtle view of her breasts.

But after noticing that some people had opinions about her sartorial choice on social media, the actor shared a powerful post calling some of the comments from "vulgar" men and hitting out at those who choose to "publicly destroy a woman's body".

"Listen, I knew when I wore that incredible Valentino dress that there was no way there wouldn’t be a commentary on it," she started the post.

Read more: No more body shaming: Tilly Ramsay, JLo and Adele join the celebs who have had enough

The Black Widow actor went on to say she was "excited" to wear the dress and not nervous.

"What’s been interesting to watch and witness is just how easy it is for men to totally destroy a woman’s body, publicly, proudly, for everyone to see. You even do it with your job titles and work emails in your bio..?" she continued.

"It isn’t the first time and certainly won’t be the last time a woman will hear what’s wrong with her body by a crowd of strangers, what’s worrying is just how vulgar some of you men can be."

Pugh has shared a passionate post on Instagram hitting back at body-shamers, pictured in the Valentino dress over the weekend. (Getty Images)
Pugh has shared a passionate post on Instagram hitting back at body-shamers, pictured in the Valentino dress over the weekend. (Getty Images)

Thankfully, however, the star says she's accepted the "intricacies" of her body that make her unique and she's now "happy with all of the ‘flaws’ that I couldn’t bear to look at when I was 14."

"So many of you wanted to aggressively let me know how disappointed you were by my ‘tiny tits’, or how I should be embarrassed by being so ‘flat chested’," she continued.

"I’ve lived in my body for a long time. I’m fully aware of my breast size and am not scared of it.

"What’s more concerning is… Why are you so scared of breasts? Small? Large? Left? Right? Only one? Maybe none? What. Is. So. Terrifying."

Watch: Florence Pugh and Olivia Colman join Puss in Boots sequel

Pugh went on to ask what has happened to people who are so "loudly upset" by the size of her boobs, and ordered them to "grow up".

"I’m very grateful that I grew up in a household with very strong, powerful, curvy women," she continued. "We were raised to find power in the creases of our body. To be loud about being comfortable."

"Grow up. Respect people. Respect bodies. Respect all women. Respect humans. Life will get a whole lot easier, I promise," she added.

"And all because of two cute little nipples…."

Read more: ‘So muscular is a good thing for boys and a bad thing for girls?’ Why body shaming women in sport is not OK

Pugh isn't standing for the body-shaming, pictured in June 2022. (Getty Images)
Pugh isn't standing for the body-shaming, pictured in June 2022. (Getty Images)

She concluded her post by adding the hashtag "#f**kingfreethef**kingnipple".

After sharing her powerful message, Pugh was inundated with messages of support.

"You are truly so amazing," one wrote. "You put into words what so many feel but can’t articulate."

"Couldn't have said it better," another agreed. "Thank you for always speaking out in topics like this when no one talks about it."

"Men show theirs or go shirtless, oh so hot and gorgeous, women do it and everyone panics," another user added.

"PREACH IT FLORENCE!!!" yet another user commented. "People need to stop commenting on women’s bodies. you looked stunning out there!"

Read more: Body shaming is now banned on dating app Bumble

Pugh isn't the only one campaigning to "free the nipple". Earlier this year Emily Clarkson called for social media platforms to stop policing women's bodies.

The 27-year-old social media campaigner - and daughter of Jeremy Clarkson - shared an image of herself in lingerie to take a stand against the fact "the nipple (still) isn't free".

In her accompanying caption Clarkson pointed out the hypocrisy of rules surrounding men's and women's bodies: "Why, for example, on a hot day in England will you see hundreds of male nipples and yet women feeding their babies have to do so under layers in restaurant bathrooms?" she wrote.

"The nipple isn’t free. And we do not have autonomy over our bodies. It’s time to change the narrative!"