It is difficult not to notice the growing trend of shrinkingskirts on campus.
On any given day, passers-by can spot girls walking to class astheir tiny skirts sway from side to side, revealing much leg andleaving little to the imagination.
But just as this trend is taking off in Louisiana — somefashion magazines are claiming that showing skin is the newestfashion “don’t.”
“We’re looking at a decisive shift in the culture — the end ofthe reign of the teen pop temptress as the sexual and sartorialideals, and the deification instead of the adult woman in all hergrown-up glory,” said Mark Holgate in the July issue of Voguemagazine.
The New York Times also reported June 8 that the trend ofcovering up instead of baring it all is because women want to lookmore classy.
Holgate said the newest fashions include elegant suits, eveningdresses resembling those of the ’20s and ’30s, and accessories suchas hats and high heeled boots.
But Louisiana heat may prevent the modest trend from travelingsouth.
“I doubt [the trend will come here] because I don’t think in thesummer, girls are going to want to wear jeans and long-sleevedshirts,” said Kara Dentro, a Hollister Co. employee in the Mall ofLouisiana.
Dentro said she thinks the trend has been popular in Louisianasince the end of last summer.
Short skirts at Hollister are a big item, she said.
“We sell them even in the winter, and people still buy them,”she said.
Dentro thinks Baton Rouge is behind other cities such as NewYork and Los Angeles when it comes to fashion trends, but she doesnot think that would be the reason the trend continues here.
Dentro thinks the trend has more to do with age.
“It’s different because teenage girls like to wear the shortskirts, but as I get older I like to dress down,” she said. “Ithink it depends on your age.”
Karina Villa, an elementary education senior, was wearing ashort, pink floral skirt in the Quad Wednesday.
Villa said she wears them for two reasons: because of the heatand to appear taller.
“For short people, [long skirts] make you look stumpy,” shesaid.
But Holgate thinks too much skin is out.
“Britney [Spears], Paris [Hilton], dirrty Christina [Aguilera]:With your scant array (and display) of teeny tees, teenier skirts,and teetering heels, you’re overexposed in every way,” he said inthe article.