When short skirts are a little TOO short...

DaisyChains

Hi

Now, I know I might be accused here of sounding like a auld one on the Joe Duffy Show but please hear me out! :-)

I was up in Belfast this weekend visiting some friends. On the Saturday night we headed out to sample the nightlife and my friends and I came across what can only be described as HORRIFIC.

We were horrified (btw, we are all in our mid 20s) by what 90% of the girls were wearing as they queued for a certain nightclub in the Odessy.The girls all seemed to be in their late teens/early 20's.

I'm not prudish in any way, and neither are my friends, but for us there was a line that these girls crossed...the crack of their arses to be specific! 90% of the girls we saw queing were wearing tiny bodycon dresses that in most cases did not cover their rear ends! Yes, bare butts et al could be seen without difficulty. These girls were not wearing tights either and it was freezing!

In case we had just seen a bad batch we decided to stand for a while and observe the queue!!! And unfortunately it went from bad to worse. Some of the outfits were see-through as well. We were gobsmacked.

I'm all into my fashion and yes I also sport the lastest bodycons with their challenging hemlines but the outfits these girls had on them left nothing to the imagination wherever they bought them and it made them look terrible!!

Why do some girls feel they have to dress like this?

minidazzler

It's all about Perogative.

Besides, the culture in British Cities with regards how girls dress is VERY different to how Irish girls do.

pab_lowe

was there myself recently at the suitably named 'box' club. There is a hockey bar right across from it and the hockey fans have their seats pulled up to the windows so they can view the queue (entertainment) from the comfort of their chairs with beer in hand. My wife and I were at the hockey and when we came out I started to look around in amazement (at the time I didn't realise Odessy was more than just a hockey stadium) and wonder at what all these scantily clad women were doing.
We didn't actually go in to the club but I did wonder at the point in wearing those 'clothes' as they didn't cover anything. Even worse, they could catch their death:D
They did seem to be of a certain age ie young, so maybe its their thing

Dun laoire

*packs bag

stovelid

Better legs than you, eh?

I feel the same way about those posers in muscle-tops.

littlemisshappy

the main problem here is visiting the odyessy for a night out. if you are over 20 it really isnt recommended!! the cathedral quarter is alot more classy and hosts an older crowd with skirts alot longer!!

as for the british city comment....this makes me really angry!! i live in the north but certainly do not consider myself british! The short skirts that are being mentioned are often worn by young, city girls. They do not reflect well on what most people in the north wear on a night out.

pikachucheeks

DaisyChains wrote: »

Why do some girls feel they have to dress like this?

I think the answer to that is incredibly complex, to be honest.

There's a huge variety of reasons... Off the top of my head:

- To get male (and / or female) attention
- To show they're confident with their appearance.
- Because they're "on the pull"
- Believing more flesh on show = more attractive to men.
- Because they're insecure and think dressing provocatively validates them.
- Because it's in fashion / celebrities are doing it.

getz

littlemisshappy wrote: »

the main problem here is visiting the odyessy for a night out. if you are over 20 it really isnt recommended!! the cathedral quarter is alot more classy and hosts an older crowd with skirts alot longer!!

as for the british city comment....this makes me really angry!! i live in the north but certainly do not consider myself british! The short skirts that are being mentioned are often worn by young, city girls. They do not reflect well on what most people in the north wear on a night out.

i dont know where you live darling but in england[blackpool] the shorter the skirt the more popular the woman,[i cross myself and wipe my steamed up glasses ]

pikachucheeks

getz wrote: »

in england[blackpool] the shorter the skirt the more popular the woman

That's just a stereotype!

I don't like how women and men from certain countries are portrayed. You see women in short skirts and provocative clothing everywhere - for a multitude of reasons - not just in England.
Similarly, you also see certain men drooling over women in this style of outfit everywhere, not just in The UK.

From what I picked up in in the OP, the discussion isn't about where the women are wearing revealing clothing, but why they are doing this.

Cookie Jar

DaisyChains wrote: »

Why do some girls feel they have to dress like this?

Because they think they look nice.

samhail

whats more disgraceful, imo, is the length of the skirts that mothers let their girls go out to school in (as in early teens!)

how else are they meant to turn out.

krudler

samhail wrote: »

whats more disgraceful, imo, is the length of the skirts that mothers let their girls go out to school in (as in early teens!)

how else are they meant to turn out.

That being said any time theres a junior cert night or "non alcoholic" teen party in town you always see teens being dropped off looking alright then nipping into the nearest bathroom to whip off whatever they put on to appease their parents

stovelid

pikachucheeks wrote: »

- To get male (and / or female) attention
- To show they're confident with their appearance.
- Because they're "on the pull"
- Believing more flesh on show = more attractive to men.
- Because they're insecure and think dressing provocatively validates them.
- Because it's in fashion / celebrities are doing it.

You forgot because they want to?

DaisyChains

pikachucheeks wrote: »

You see women in short skirts and provocative clothing everywhere - for a multitude of reasons.

This is true. But I'd like to use what you said here to make a further point. There's provocative and then there's down right indecent. And yes, you see the odd person here and there who likes to dress in an overtly sexually way, but not to this extent. It was like a queue to an audition to take part in a porn movie. A whole night club of them? Not just one or two people. The cheeks of their arses were in full view in many instances. To me that doesn't represent choice. That's a mass decision/ peer pressure!

There were some young children running around too from another event and the parents were obviously trying to shield them from some of the hidious get ups that were walking past. You really had to see this to believe it.

pikachucheeks wrote: »

From what I picked up in in the OP, the discussion isn't about where the women are wearing revealing clothing, but why they are doing this.

This is also correct. And I'm sure what I saw does not represent Belfast at all! :-)

I also agree with some other comments that it's the fashion, part of dating scene etc...but this was taken to a whole new level at this club.

I worry how young girls present themselves like this without questioning it. You can be incredibly sexy, provocative etc without baring your buttocks in public.

I sure men love it, but think it's tasteless at the same time!

smoggy11

Honest to God its not the norm!

Plus a lot of the people in Box are underage. the bamboo beach club used to be that place to go but now its Box. the general attempt to get into clubs goes like this;

1) procure an older friends ID that might look a bit like you.

2) put on your lowest cut, shortest outfit; really you should be wearing no more than a strategically placed Belt and a pair of heel you find it very difficult to walk in

3) Hope to God there isn't a female bouncer who will see right through your act!

Another reason that their skirts are so short compared to Irish Girls is that (as far as I'm aware) theres no indoor complex in Dublin where you would be at least guaranteed to be out of the wind and rain while you queue. The heat factor is very important!

Silverfish

Guys, if you can't contribute anything sensible to the discussion, please just don't post and move on. Thank you.

who the fug

Young teenage girls have been dressing like this since man left the cave.

Funny enough I generally find it is people in their twenties who are the most puritanical about it and say it never happened in my day, they normally grow out of it in their thirties, whilst the teenage girls grow into their twenties and the circle is complete

Faith

There was a school girl who came into the shop I work in yesterday. She had her skirt rolled up so far that I could see at least 2 inches of the support part of her tights - the thicker part at the top of the thighs up to the waist. Now, I wore my skirts shortish in school, but this was ridiculous! She was a bit pudgy too, so it's not like she was showing off some fantastic legs or anything.

It's bad enough when you see them doing it at teenage discos, but it's just disturbing in a school uniform.

maryjane007

it has to be to compete with other women to get male attention. although we all know what theyre gonna want them for, so its their morals that are the problem.

ooh dont i sound old.

pikachucheeks

stovelid wrote: »

You forgot because they want to?

Well, that too.
But I was trying to think of reasons other than the obvious.

stovelid

Seriously though, they're usually just kids. They're not harming anybody. Trying to attract boys - imagine that.

To be honest, purposely hanging around (in the freezing cold I assume) to cluck disapprovingly at young girl's clothing sounds like something a crusty old male high-court judge would do - not fellow women more or less of the same generation.

stovelid

stovelid wrote: »

Seriously though, they're usually just kids. They're not harming anybody. Trying to attract boys - imagine that.

To be honest, purposely hanging around (in the freezing cold I assume) to cluck disapprovingly at young girl's clothing sounds like something a crusty old male high-court judge would do - not fellow women more or less of the same generation.

Well to continue your logic, they're not harming anybody so why shouldn't they stand there and cluck away to their heart's content?
Freezing cold it may be, but presumably they were dressed for the weather unlike the girls they were commenting on.

pikachucheeks

DaisyChains wrote: »

There's provocative and then there's down right indecent. And yes, you see the odd person here and there who likes to dress in an overtly sexually way, but not to this extent. It was like a queue to an audition to take part in a porn movie. A whole night club of them? Not just one or two people. The cheeks of their arses were in full view in many instances. To me that doesn't represent choice. That's a mass decision/ peer pressure!

To be honest, I think scenes like you're describing as becoming more and more common in Ireland. If you walk through Temple Bar in Dublin, on any given night of the week, especially weekends, you'll see something similar to your scenario above.

If I had to choose one reason, I'd say that women are doing this because it's fashionable to do so and because celebrities are wearing similar clothing.

In these times, celebrity culture bears a lot of weight. Think of how many gossip magazines, websites and TV programmes exist, following celebrities and their antics.

Not only do people want to know about celebrities lives, but they also want to emmulate them and copy their style. (The "Pob" haircut, Sienna Miller's "Boho" style, Lady Gaga's onesies / big pants)

With celebrity females wearing increasingly provocative clothing (See any female artistor girl group's music video for details), it's no wonder normal girls on a Saturday night are going out dolled up to the nines and wearing more daring, risque clothing - it's seen as being cool and trendy.

They emmulate what they see on tv and in magazines. As hems get shorter and necklines get lower on screen, so it translates into real life.
Fashion sells - and within fashion, sex definitely sells.

DaisyChains wrote: »

I worry how young girls present themselves like this without questioning it. You can be incredibly sexy, provocative etc without baring your buttocks in public.

I agree. I think it is quite worrying, the trend towards wearing less and less and the message that "sexy = small clothing"

Mainly for the reason that rape victims' dress sense has been cited as an incitement for the attack, in the past.

Meaning to say that, dressing provocatively has been seen as an invitation by attackers and in courts, the way the victim was dressed at the time of the incident has been a used and exploited excuse to benefit the interests of the accused rapist.

So yes, it might be seen as sexy and trendy, but it can also be dangerous.

stovelid

bluewolf wrote: »

Well to continue your logic, they're not harming anybody so why shouldn't they stand there and cluck away to their heart's content?.

Depends on how useful and enjoyable you find clucking. As you say, each to their own.

pikachucheeks

stovelid wrote: »

Seriously though, they're usually just kids. They're not harming anybody.

In the minds of the people wearing the provocative clothing, they're not "harming anybody".
They possibly see it as a bit of fun, letting their hair down and having a laugh. Nothing wrong with that at all. People's bodies are their own and their free to wear whatever they like.

But to be sinister about it, think about the minds of those seeing these girls / women. They're not always so harmless. Think about what a rapist or paedophile feels when he / she sees a person dressed in this way - think about their potential actions.

Sure, dressing up and being "sexy" can be fun, but there can also be very grave, dangerous consequences of doing so.

Dressing in that way invites attention. Some of that attention isn't always so benevolent.

In the same way freedom of speech exists, so does freedom of expression - but both come with caution and consequence.

stovelid

I have no idea of the percentage of sexual attacks that are triggered by provocative clothing. I always assumed - perhaps wrongly - that the motives were more complex and not necessarily influenced by the behavior of the victim.

And anyway, my posts were related to the OP which seemed to be bemoaning the taste of the girls involved rather than worrying about their welfare.

smoggy11

stovelid wrote: »

I have no idea of the percentage of sexual attacks that are triggered by provocative clothing. I always assumed - perhaps wrongly - that the motives were more complex and not necessarily influenced by the behavior of the victim.

How many times I have heard the excuse for rape or sexual assualt being; "But she was asking for it, did you not see what she was wearing?" I even heard a police man warning people to be careful about it. In many mens eyes, dressing that way is an invitation to be treated the way you look.

pikachucheeks

smoggy11 wrote: »

In many mens eyes, dressing that way is an invitation to be treated the way you look.

It shouldn't happen, but it does.

People get an impression of you from the way you present yourself, a big part of which is the way you dress.

Often, dressing in revealing clothing can give people both the wrong idea and a bad impression.

Of course, there's the argument "Who cares? I am myself, I don't care about impressing other people" but even if you are of that opinion, you should care that dressing a certain way can get you in trouble and can put you in a vunerable position.

I'd be interested to know what parents in here think of their children, namely girls, dressing in provocative clothing...

Do you worry / do you forsee yourself worrying about what your daughter wears out?

Do you openly express concern about this, or do you keep your worries to yourself?

Dudess

samhail wrote: »

whats more disgraceful, imo, is the length of the skirts that mothers let their girls go out to school in (as in early teens!)

how else are they meant to turn out.

Seriously?

pikachucheeks wrote: »

But to be sinister about it, think about the minds of those seeing these girls / women. They're not always so harmless. Think about what a rapist or paedophile feels when he / she sees a person dressed in this way - think about their potential actions.

A paedophile would have no interest in a teenage girl dressed sexily, and I really dislike the notion that it would "get a rapist going".
Yes, such clothing is noticeable, it will invite attention - some of it unwanted - but rape will always be committed... In fact it's committed in Pakistan where women wear the exact opposite types of attire.
Holding a woman any way accountable for being raped - even implying it - is pretty disturbing, to be honest.

smoggy11 wrote: »

How many times I have heard the excuse for rape or sexual assualt being; "But she was asking for it, did you not see what she was wearing?" I even heard a police man warning people to be careful about it. In many mens eyes, dressing that way is an invitation to be treated the way you look.

Yeah, and that's those men's minds, not the girls's clothing.

I used to wear a schoolskirt that was like a belt, wore short dresses that I admit make me go :eek: when I look back, but I turned out quite all right and never put myself in any danger.
Can't see a problem with what those girls are wearing - they'll more than likely grow out of it. And even if they don't, meh, their business.

Why the need for moralising? Or caring about what someone else is doing which doesn't affect you? You can always look away.

samhail

about my point, in my opinion, yes.
If you goto work every day in shoes and pants and a fancy shirt, going out at the weekend doesnt dressed that way doesnt feel different.
thats why i would wear jeans if i were going out.

if girls are wearing belt-size skirts 8 hours a day, what are they going to do to differinciate it.

i might be wrong. just my view.

stovelid

smoggy11 wrote: »

In many mens eyes, dressing that way is an invitation to be treated the way you look.

Not only in men's eyes...