Skirt length and the economy

[Valeria Kendall]

While shopping with my daughter at the mall today, I noticed the hemlines weren't just inching down, they were tumbling down. As far to the ground as they can get.

I recalled somewhere talk about women's hemlines being an economic indicator. It seems that the longer the skirt, the more dour the economic outlook.

There are various explanations for it. My son and I had a talk-- he thought it might have to do with people expressing a type of mourning when they are feeling depressed about the economy.

I said, that makes sense. Yet I see it differently. Wearing a long skirt covers up many of the outward female sexual characteristics. So what we are really saying when the skirt lengths drop is that it is not a safe environment in which to reproduce.

Short skirts? There's enough money flowing in the economy to afford the cost of children.

That is why it is the the skirt lengths in particular that vary. It has a message that speaks to the unconscious.

You heard it here first. Have fun with that idea. Just credit me if you use it!

Since I went a little off-topic here, let's bring it back. What function does clothing play in your characters? What does what they wear say about them and about the society they live in?

[Valeria Kendall]

Intriguing!

[Curt]

I haven't decided how yet, but I'm pretty sure now, that the rumor will be confirmed.

[Curt]

By the end of the story, the rumor will probably be confirmed, along with at least one more rumor concerning her 'lifestyle'.

[Valeria Kendall]

Well, Curt, it will be interesting to find out how -- and if -- you allow that rumor to be confirmed!

[Curt]

Hmmm...let me think.

One wears expensive suits. Another makes all of her own clothes. A third character wears nothing but jeans, t-shirts, and combat boots. A fourth spends too much time in the gym, and shows off by wearing short skirts and skimpy tops. (rumor has it she rarely wears undergarments but that's yet to be confirmed)

Now that I think about it, their various modes of dress do tend to fit with both their image of themselves, and the people they spend time with.