What is the most important issue that we, as a nation, face today? Why, women’s garments, of course! Which is why I was positively overjoyed to find fourth-wave feminism resurgent in Molly Faulkner-Bond’s vital piece, “The Power of the Miniskirt.”
[Miniskirts] seem so slutty and overexposed at times that we want to pack up all of our formerly favorite flirty little numbers — which, incidentally, have always made us feel sexily in charge, when worn at just the right moments — and give them to Goodwill. But the embattled garment responsible for such incidents has fought such image problems since its creation nearly 50 years ago. So we ask: Is a high hemline a sign of empowerment, or overexposure? Is it feminist — “I may be smart and capable but I can still be sexy” — or just foolish?
My goodness, yes. The amount of leg shown by my clothing has a direct impact on how “empowered” I feel on a day to day basis. That’s why I’ve taken advantage of my roommate’s temporary absence from the apartment, and am currently working in nothing but a besequined thong. I feel so sexily in charge!
With their legs freed from the weight and cover of long skirts, women could literally move more easily through space; quite quickly this idea acquired symbolic social meaning as well… in an era when young adults were beginning to question the authorities dictating their lives, the miniskirt’s high hemlines became simply another way of challenging convention and looking forward toward a new era in which women were freer.
PREACH IT, SISTER! You know, there is only one way in which this article could be better: that is, if it managed to incorporate a few meditations on entirely irrelevant pop-culture figures who also happen to be fictional. Those are really lacking in this piece. Oh, no, wait, I totally found some!
Heather Locklear’s character Amanda Woodward on “Melrose Place” presented a female professional — she ran an advertising company and owned an apartment building — who happened to have an alluring wardrobe of tight suits and short skirts. Although Amanda might have gotten around, but she was nonetheless a force to be reckoned with, and her professional endeavors on the show were as central to her character’s progression as her many love affairs — in fact, perhaps more so.
Molly Faulkner-Bond, you have convinced me! I’m heading to American Apparel right the fuck now. They’ve got high-waisted shorts, too, and I have to tell you, “finding the right pair of hot pants” is a strong #2 on the list of my priorities, right above “a Democratic candidate who takes a strong position on the matter of choice” and just below “the perfect liquid eyeliner.” Do you have one more rallying cry before I go?
Perhaps to wear a mini with modesty and grace in today’s fashion world practically is political once again — it resituates the mini-wearer’s power back to herself, rather than leaving it in the hands (and eyes) of watching viewers… it’ll also make our summer wardrobe a whole lot more fun.
My god! A fun summer wardrobe. I’ll have you know that this is literally all I care about. Well, that and talking about boys.
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Tags: alternet, amanda woodward, clothes and cocks, i wish they taught shopping in school, molly faulkner-bond, the power of the miniskirt
I don’t have anything intelligent to add beyond: you come up with the best tags EVER.