Emma Watson's bra-revealing outfit divides fans: 'Inappropriate'

Emma Watson is a style icon in more ways than one, managing to pull off beautiful and striking red carpet ensembles that also have a strong eco-friendly message.

But the Harry Potter actor's latest sustainable look — a matching crop top and skirt made from recycled fabric — has left fans confused and a little unsure.

Emma, 31, wore the head-turning green-and-white floral outfit — which left the bottom half of her black bra completely exposed — to the Climate Reality event hosted by Al Gore in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

Sharing an image of her chatting with eco-activist and former US politician Gore to her Instagram, Emma explained that the two-piece outfit was custom-made by UK designer Emilia Wickstead (a favourite of Kate Middleton's).

"Thank you to the loveliest Emilia for making me this beautiful custom piece," she wrote. "It was handmade in London using leftover fabrics consisting of 62% recycled yarn that was locally sourced, woven, and printed in Italy. I will be wearing this a lot!!"

'Inappropriate attire'

But despite the outfit's environmental credentials, some of Emma's fans were concerned that the revealing nature of the top might overshadow the serious subject matter of the event.

Several took to Instagram to share their verdict on the star's peekaboo look.

"The skirt is beautiful, but why on earth would you choose to have your undergarments showing," one fan asked. "If this were an actual business meeting, this would be highly inappropriate and no one would take her seriously."

"This is surreal," agreed another. "Is she actually supposed to be adding value to a profoundly serious dialogue in that outfit?"

While a third commented: "I love your brand but, how is she supposed to have meaningful engaging conversations at such an important climate event wearing essentially a bra??? Plus Scotland is cold! Women have brains, why flash their boobs."

Others agreed that though the outfit was undoubtedly beautiful, it wasn't necessarily fitting for an event on such an important topic.

"Sorry but what an odd inappropriate attire she is wearing. Choose your timing," one wrote.

"Genuinely awful," another commented. "Attire for these events is smart casual/ light business. Showing a midriff is never ok, as would a man showing up in a tank top. This is embarrassing regardless of its recycled status."

Public opinion aside, it's worth pointing out that Little Women star can wear whatever she likes. And it seems as though her clothing was the last thing on Emma's mind while meeting one of her 'idols' in Al Gore.

"I died," she captioned an Instagram post of her beaming with joy while lying on the floor.

"It was really surreal to meet and interview one of my idols. I think one of the many reasons I find Al Gore so compelling is that – even though he lost one of the biggest fights of his life to become president in 2000 (by such an unbearably close margin...) he has continued to do the work he set out to do despite humiliation, loss and defeat... the tides have been against him for years and he’s kept swimming.

"That to me is a hero. Thankfully climate change action is becoming mainstream and the tides have turned in his direction and now we are all swimming with him."

Emma's Earthshot outfit

It's not the first time Emma has showcased her sustainable style. In 2015, the British star joined the Green Carpet Challenge, pledging that all her red carpet outfits would be sustainable.

Her Calvin Klein dress for the Met Gala the following year was a prime example, being made entirely from recycled plastic bottles.

And earlier this week she wore a sustainable white gown made out of upcycled Oxfam wedding dresses over black trousers at the first Earthshot Prize Awards created by Prince William.

Meanwhile, Kate Middleton re-wore a stunning Alexander McQueen gown a decade after first wearing it to a BAFTA event in 2011.

William sported a dark green velvet blazer from Reiss, which he had previously worn to a charity event for Centrepoint in 2019, as well as an old turtleneck and a 20-year-old pair of trousers.

Additional reporting by Marie Claire Dorking.

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