Ready To Wear: The pencil skirt lives up to its hypersexualised silhouette
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.You're wearing a skirt," says my friend, who is observant. "Yes, it's National Skirt Wearing Week," I tell her, which is not true, but given that I live in jeans and have had my legs out for a full three days...
It started gently with a tie-waisted, charcoal grey, James Perse stretch jersey design that might best be defined as the tracksuit bottoms of skirts. It's chosen bearing comfort in mind, then. My skirt's mid-calf length, which is fashionable this season. With flat shoes – some things never change – the effect is somewhat WPC-like in the lower leg department at least, however, and it's breezy around the ankles to boot. "You look chic," says my dinner companion, though, and given that, skirt aside, I'm dressed as I always am, I can only assume that it must take the credit for this, not me.
Day two is a full-on fashion Azzedine Alaia skirt day and I'm feeling quite pleased with myself. My skirt is cut like a flower from the front. From behind, there's more body to it, mimicking the effect of a modern-day bustle. Does my bum look big in this? Yes. And I love my skirt, which swooshes around my legs in an entirely feminine way.
Day three and, clearly warming up to the task in hand, I put on an Alexander McQueen pencil skirt (slightly more office-appropriate than the one pictured here), something of a legend in fashion circles for its transformative effect. And (lo!) I can't walk and (also lo!) people are reacting as if I'm walking the streets in nothing but my underwear. Who would have thought that this time-honoured silhouette could live up to its hyper-sexualised reputation quite so effectively?
I have lunch with a colleague who's dressed in Celine – loose-fitting jeans and a striped, granddad shirt, to be precise. "I bet you've never seen me in trousers before," she says. "And you've never seen me in a skirt," I reply. Only then I look down and notice that my legs need waxing.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments