A Toronto teen whose midriff-baring shirt sparked a crop-top rally at an arts-focused high school says her controversial outfit points to a deeper societal issue where women are objectified.

Alexi Halket wore a black and turquoise top that bared her belly on Monday. The Etobicoke School of the Arts student told The Canadian Press earlier this week that the crop top, which she paired with a grey skirt, was part of a lineup of outfits she had planned to wear for her "birthday week."

"I wanted to feel very beautiful, look very beautiful and feel very confident in myself and be happy," the 18-year-old previously said.

But not everyone approved of Halket’s outfit. A teacher at the school thought the top was inappropriate for the classroom because it looked similar to a sports bra. Halket was sent to talk to her vice-principal, who told her to cover up.

"I thought this wasn't right," the Grade 12 student told CTV News Channel on Wednesday. "I didn’t feel like I was breaking any rules because my school has a very vague and open dress code because I do go to an arts school."

Halket was then sent to talk to her principal, Rob MacKinnon, about her outfit choice.

Halket ended up missing the rest of class that day. On Tuesday, Halket and her peers held a crop-top rally in protest of the school's dress code.

Halket, who turned to Facebook to promote the event one day earlier, said she was overwhelmed by the support.

"This isn't just an issue about wearing crop tops to school," she said. "It's an issue of society as a whole objectifying and sexualizing women’s bodies."

Halket added that none of the protesting students faced any repercussions for also baring their bellies.

She said she's continuing to work with school officials to come to an agreement on what types of outfits can be worn in the classroom.

"I'm working with my principal and we're all working together to try and find a line that can’t be crossed," said Halket, adding that in the meantime, the school's dress code remains vague.

"I’m allowed to wear whatever I want to school still."