Fashion Quote by Kim Addonizio
““What Do Women Want?" I want a red dress. I want it flimsy and cheap, I want it too tight, I want to wear it until someone tears it off me. I want it sleeveless and backless, this dress, so no one has to guess what's underneath. I want to walk down the street past Thrifty's and the hardware store with all those keys glittering in the window, past Mr. and Mrs. Wong selling day-old donuts in their café, past the Guerra brothers slinging pigs from the truck and onto the dolly, hoisting the slick snouts over their shoulders. I want to walk like I'm the only woman on earth and I can have my pick. I want that red dress bad. I want it to confirm your worst fears about me, to show you how little I care about you or anything except what I want. When I find it, I'll pull that garment from its hanger like I'm choosing a body to carry me into this world, through the birth-cries and the love-cries too, and I'll wear it like bones, like skin, it'll be the goddamned dress they bury me in.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “What Do Women Want?” (published in 2015)
The speaker describes a provocative red dress as a symbol of defiance, desire, and self‑assertion, challenging societal expectations of women.
In simple terms: A red dress represents rebellion and personal freedom.
Key Takeaway
Embrace bold self‑expression.
Themes
identity
gender
rebellion
desire
Mood
defiant
sensual
empowering
Type
poetic
feminist
When to use this quote
- fashion runway
- street walk
- personal empowerment
- artistic performance
Key Concepts
symbolism
feminist critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the dress symbolize for you?
- How does clothing convey power?
A Different Perspective
The extreme imagery may alienate some readers.
![“[To Oleg Cassini:] Just make sure no one has exactly the same dress I do ... I want all of mine to be original & no fat little woman hopping around in the same dress.” quote by Jackie Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/99d/jackie-kennedy-11038_dresses_to-oleg-cassini-just-make-sure-no-one-ha_157368.jpg)
