Florence Given Is the Artist Making the Slogan “Dump Him” Fashionable
“Dump him” fashion is now a real thing, thanks to a glorious circa-early 2000s picture of Britney Spears in a T-shirt that featured the phrase (post-Justin Timberlake breakup) and the work of U.K.-based illustrator Florence Given. Florence, who’s the face of a new Tinder campaign in England and winner of Cosmopolitan U.K.’s 2019 Influencer of the Year Award, makes art with sayings like “Women don’t owe you pretty” and “Looking good for my goddamn self,” using groovy lettering, which is then applied to posters, T-shirts, and tote bags. Among Florence’s most popular designs lately is one that says “It’s a wonderful day to dump him” — a clever and optimistic slogan we can get behind.
“The first time I saw the quote was when Britney went out wearing a ‘Dump Him’ T-shirt after breaking up with Justin Timberlake,” Florence tells Teen Vogue. Later, after dumping a recent boyfriend, Florence decided to make her own version of the “dump him” slogan as a means of cathartic release. She came to realize she had been “mothering a man-child,” and “that this was a role women so readily accept and take on in relationships, without questioning it.” At that point, she says, “I was running on empty, and for what? I had been constantly trying to ‘fix’ and ‘grow’ someone when I could have been putting that energy into myself.” Amen, sister.
Florence hopes that someone in a toxic relationship might see a person wearing one of her designs or carrying a tote in public and take it as a “sign” to choose themselves: “The message behind ‘dump him' is to encourage people, especially people who date men, to demand better for themselves. To realize that whatever they’re ‘putting up with’ in a relationship, whatever is causing them stress in their life, shouldn't be.”
In addition to her artwork, Florence has also made it her mission to “provide an alternative narrative for women in a society that makes us feel like the worst thing on earth to be is single.” Naturally, her Instagram account is filled with her artwork as well as videos of her confidently dancing around her apartment in lingerie and cool outfits, prancing around London with stylish friends in tow.
Florence likes to think she’s added fuel to an already established movement that is tongue-in-cheek, hoping to inspire women to ask themselves whether the men they’re dating are really adding value to their lives. But Florence isn’t the only person putting forth “dump him fashion.” Ella Wiznia, the founder of The Series, a genderless vintage brand based in New York, has been selling upcycled vintage jeans with the phrase “just dump him” and a swoosh embroidered across the butt.
Ella believes that one of the “most effective ways to disrupt an accepted and expected notion is through humor.” Taking anywhere from six to nine hours of labor to create, she hopes these jeans are inspiration for a wearer, or an observer, to “recognize their own worth, and exercise their ability to empower and stand up for what they need or deserve.”
Though Ella makes a point to say that the jeans aren’t directed toward or made for any one gender identity, sexual orientation, age, etc.: “The ‘him’ doesn’t have to mean a certain person, the message can be taken literally or as a reminder to shed the people, messages, thoughts, or ideas that hold you back from blooming into your most happy, loving, accepting, individual self.” Not only do we appreciate the cheeky take on Nike’s most famous slogan and the look of colorful embroidery on vintage denim, we also stan the deeper message.
Beyond these two independent creatives, the Internet is chock-full of miscellaneous “dump him” products, including mugs, pins, caps, and other T-shirts that more closely replicate the one that Britney originally wore. It’s only a matter of time before the movement becomes even bigger and we see mass retailers like Zara and H&M making their own versions.
The next time you want to wear your heart on your sleeve, or empower yourself and your friends to seek what you deserve romantically, consider wearing a “dump him” piece of clothing. As actor and writer Carrie Fisher once said, “Take your broken heart, make it into art.”
Excuse us while we stock up on all of the “dump him” things we can find.
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
