October 25, 2007Kevin's Ode To The Mini Skirt
"Much like the afro was to Black males, the miniskirt was for women, a tool of rebellion. Wearing a hemline at mid-thigh, these women sneered at the social rules put in place by the "wholesome" members of society and decided they would dress as they liked."
min·i·skirt (mĭn'ē-skûrt') n. A short skirt with a hemline that falls several inches above the knee.
The mini was the defining fashion symbol of "Swinging London" in the 1960s.Much like the afro was to Black males, the miniskirt was for women, a tool of rebellion. Wearing a hemline at mid-thigh, these women sneered at the social rules put in place by the "wholesome" members of society and decided they would dress as they liked.
During the mid-1970s, the fashion industry largely returned to longer skirts such as the midi and the maxi. Journalist Christopher Booker gave two reasons for this reaction: firstly, that "there was almost nowhere else to go ... the mini-skirts could go no higher"; and secondly, in his view, "dressed up in mini-skirts and shiny PVC macs, given such impersonal names as 'dolly birds', girls had been transformed into throwaway plastic objects". Certainly this lengthening of hemlines coincided with the growth of the feminist movement. However, in the 1960s the mini had been regarded as a symbol of liberation, and it was worn by some, such as Germaine Greer and, in the following decade, Gloria Steinem, who became known for their promotion of women's issues. Greer herself wrote in 1969 that:The women kept on dancing while their long skirts crept up, and their girdles dissolved, and their nipples burst through like hyacinth tips and their clothes withered away to the mere wisps and ghosts of draperies to adorn and glorify ....
Indeed, miniskirts never entirely went away and, for example, were often worn by Deborah Harry, of the group Blondie, during the "new wave" of the late 70s. The song (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea (1978) by new wave artist, Elvis Costello, contained the line, "There's no place here for the mini-skirt waddle".1980s and 90sIn the 1980s, short skirts began to re-emerge, notably in the form of "rah-rahs", which were modelled on those worn by female cheerleaders at sporting and other events. In the mid-80s the "puffball" skirt enjoyed short term popularity, being worn by, among others, the Princess of Wales and singers Pepsi and Shirlie.
Madonna popularized the miniskirt to the Eighties era as she slithered onto the stage in thigh-high skirts. The new lycra miniskirts of this era were even more body hugging - almost like spandex. The Eighties’ punk rock looks made the Sixties’ miniskirts look timid. Women weren’t just clothed in tight skirts, but fishnets, high-heeled boots, huge earrings and form-fitting shirts as well, all with red lipstick and big hair to match.
Many women began to incorporate the miniskirt into their business attire, a trend which grew during the remainder of the century. Films and television series made in the mid-1990s (Friends, Sex and the City, Ally McBeal, for example) show how ubiquitous the mini had become again. In the BBC TV series Keeping Up Appearances (1990-5) the snobbish Hyacinth Bucket was frequently outraged by the brevity of her sister Rose's skirts.
The miniskirt just isn't what it used to be. It certainly doesn't hold the same shock value. Society has become accustomed to young adults exposing their knees and thighs.Regardless of how our society has changed since the Sixties and if you are going to buy a new spring miniskirt, the mini has transcended through almost every decade and will most likely progress in the future. There is no doubt that our children will be bearing their legs as well. It has become one of the biggest fashion statements of the century, not to mention a staple in every girl's closet.
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