There is something painfully ironic about a skirt suit being a symbol of power for a working woman. The idea is that it shows how women can be in the workplace, have a position of control, be in charge, yet still showing their femininity. While at a debate tournament last weekend, a debater from Apple Valley, MN, made a comment on how it is virtually mandatory for all girls on the team to wear a skirt suit. "It's not really mandatory for girls, per se, but it is highly suggested. [The skirt suit] is more presentable, put-together looking, and more acceptable for girls to wear at a tournament," she said. When I asked her male debate friend from the same team about it, he said, "It's not sexist! It's just part of the tradition. Skirt suits are nicer looking! They are powerful!"
The irony is that skirts and dresses were clothing meant to maintain the delicacy of female beauty, while pants were power clothes. Just ask your grandmother! I'm willing to bet that no women wore pants anywhere until halfway through her life. A notion that skirt suits can bring together the best of both worlds is ridiculous. I find it appalling that we are still applying to standards of acceptability where a woman must wear a skirt to be presentable.
It's the 21st century! I think it is time to wake up and pull a pair of slacks on with your 4-inch Prada heels.
4 comments:
I totally agree. I'm involved with Model UN, and when our team goes to events, we girls are encouraged to wear pants and flats because we spend so much time sitting directly on the floor. Sometimes skirts just aren't convienant for a high-pressure work environment.
Haha! This is a good point. Fortunately, lady debaters don't have to worry about that risk since we stand nearly 100% of the time.
skirts and pants are okay. i think it really all depends on what she wants to wear. but when it comes to a skirt being madoratory, then i think its not how it should be. ( if ur wondering what "it" is, idk, im on a huge word-block right now.) skirts aren't an awful thing for career women or powerful women, pants are just as fine. but....for your judge or whatever he was to say its mandaratory is wrong.
btw, four inch prada heels are EXPENSIVE!!!
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