When a girl wears a skirt, she risks a lot. She takes her femininity in strides, casts aside the concerns of being ‘provocative’, and welcomes the fluttery garment that history itself denotes as hers. She takes up confidence and welcomes the unique sophistication that pants just don’t offer. Much like the prior RR post about aprons having a controversial past attached, skirts too, (up until recently), have been subject to bias and question.
When did woman have to become so rigid and tough to handle the life around them? What makes a lady in a long flowing skirt any lesser than a lady in blue jeans? Frankly, either one in this day and age can kick someone’s ass equally nicely. A skirt does not mean that a woman or girl submits herself to being dainty or objectified. That skirt can have a train the length of her hair, or it can be as skin-tight and short as all hell, but regardless, it doesn’t make her provoke anything. It, like anything else a human does, makes her self-expressive. Arguably, wearing clothing at all is just a way to turn a person into self-made expressionism. Since the early 1920s, in conjunction with the fad of self-help booklets and social change, the image of woman has been molded to fascinate, at the bias of the author.
Just the other night, I had the simple luxury of sitting in the psychology aisle of Barnes & Noble. In reading, there was a notion something along the lines of “how can people know a woman is clever and fascinating unless she looks like that?” Well, the cover of a book (all pun intended), shouldn’t be used to judge the book itself, as the adage goes. Some of the finest, most intellectually achieved women choose to ‘dress down’, and some of the strongest, most independent women choose to boast a skirt. Today’s world tells us we have to be strong, fend for ourselves, and do so in good competition to male counterparts and other females equally. A skirt is debatable, depending on who you talk to. They’re either perceived as cute or ‘ew’. Perhaps not as taboo as the apron was, a skirt still yields inhibitions for several reasons, including the old notion of ‘picturesque women’.
I’ll start by saying that skirt-wearers do not seek to conform to the idea of a ‘perfect woman’. Magazines and celebrities and media can say whatever they want, but persuasion doesn’t always decide for the person. Next, a skirt is worn in free spirit and spits in the face of provocation. We don’t identify with those who believe that pantslessness equates with unwanted attention. We do not fear the perceived consequences. The only goal of a skirt is to be comfortable and beautiful in the eyes of the wearer. Finally, whose to say that a woman in a pastel skirt can’t stand tall and confident as one in black jeans and a denim jacket? It seems like we are most susceptible to assault in skirts, but there is no way to judge a book by its cover (restated for dramatic effect). A skirt is truly an essential piece to any woman’s wardrobe. If I’ve learned anything about wearing flamboyant, flouncy bottom-wear, its that this is the time they’re able to shine again and that they only express one universal thing: we’re pleased to be females and take some interest in the history of our subspecies. Furthermore, as the title of this article suggests, skirts don’t ever indicate submission. They may have historically symbolized the stay-at-home housewife, but today they only serve as an outward expression of inner beauty.
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Now, as for my guy friends, who are also many and plenty, they don’t seem to treat a skirt any differently. Just as the apron is in its redemption, it seems that the skirt is equally a post-hoc taboo of generations ago. One unnamed contributor suggests that “Its her behavior that really makes a guy interested, the style comes second… I mean, most women have a good sense of what makes them look great anyway”. While the response is not unanimous, this is the basic scope of what the male population contributes to this discussion. Arguably, much like how we females enjoy seeing a well-dressed gentleman, they’re not opposed to reciprocal fancifulness from their counterparts. I was delighted to hear that another masculine source was pensive on the topic, “Guys can choose to dress up or down and no one makes a fuss, so what’s the difference for girls? No problems here with a pretty lady!” It’s sometimes hard not to laugh in chatting with all my sources, especially when I’m wearing a massive circle skirt myself. Conclusively, the well-dressed person is one whose attention to detail does not go unnoticed.
Skirts, my dear readers, are not a taboo piece, but a historically significant must-have for every closet, and ultimately the greatest symbol of happiness a woman can wear on the outside.
Much Love, ~Harpie Lyn
Retro Curious Rebellious: The Revival 