Women wearing trousers illegal in Paris

MrMatisse

Turns out its illegal!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8666071/200-year-old-Paris-trouser-ban-for-women-may-finally-be-repealed.html

The bizarre ban was first introduced in late 1799 by Paris' police chief, and stipulated than any woman wishing to "dress like a man" must seek special permission from police and provide medical justification for showing their legs.
This makes the laissez-faire French capital theoretically more hardline than Islamic states like Sudan on the dress code front.
"I discovered this order this year, I was amazed," said Maryvonne Blondin, a French senator who filed a bill in the Senate last month calling for the ban to be finally repealed. She hopes it will be approved soon.

The ban was imposed in Paris shortly after the Revolution is still in effect today despite the inclusion in the 1946 French Constitution of an article stating that "the law guarantees women equal rights with men in all areas."
In 1892 it was slightly relaxed thanks to an amendment which said trousers were permitted "as long as the woman is holding the reins of a horse".

Then in 1909, the decree was further watered down when an extra clause was added to allow women in trousers on condition they were "on a bicycle or holding it by the handlebars".
In 1969, amid a global movement towards gender equality, the Paris council asked the city's police chief to bin the decree. His response was: "It is unwise to change texts which foreseen or unforeseen variations in fashion can return to the fore."

The rule is already contradicted by legislation that has made men and women equal in the eyes of the French constitution since 1946. Given that trousers are compulsory for Parisian policewoman, they are in theory all breaking the law.
Last year, the Council of Paris tried to have the text deleted, but police headquarters in the French capital said it was already "legal archaeology" and was not a priority.

President Nicolas Sarkozy has promised to set aside special time for parliament to review old French laws that should be repealed.
Elected officials in France's lower and upper houses of parliament have only enjoyed the right to sit in trousers since 1980.
In 1972, former justice minister Michele Alliot-Marie – then an MP – won admirers by entering the National Assembly in the offending item.

When stopped by a bailiff, she exclaimed: "If my trousers are bothering you, I'll take them off as soon as possible."

I wonder will they be fined like others for what they wear....

Naomi00

Haha don't think so..

That article was a waste of time :rolleyes:

biko

1800's Europe was slightly more restrictive than 2000's Sudan yes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljrYazs3HWI

CardBordWindow

A French pants party would be pretty much a cock fest so?

admiralofthefleet

Wimminz: Know Your Place!!

Kevin Duffy

Ne haïssez-vous pas les pantalon?

starlit

You serious?:eek: Its a crime against women's rights!

For Forks Sake

pants thread is pants

languagenerd

I'm currently in Paris, wearing trousers.... :eek: are the police coming for me? Should I start piling things against the front door? :P

patrickbrophy18

Sexist pricks!

Pherekydes

How does the writer make a trouser ban out of the following:

The bizarre ban was first introduced in late 1799 by Paris' police chief, and stipulated than any woman wishing to "dress like a man" must seek special permission from police and provide medical justification for showing their legs.

Surely it's a skirt ban?

Snowie

languagenerd wrote: »

I'm currently in Paris, wearing trousers.... :eek: are the police coming for me? Should I start piling things against the front door? :P

nah that could be considered witch craft because women are week

languagenerd

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

nah that could be considered witch craft because women are week

AND I have red-hair... Oh God, they'll burn me at the stake, won't they?! I better buy a few skirts before it's too late!!