So far as I can remember, the theory was originally proposed by Desmond Morris in his book "The Naked Ape" - although I don't know whether he actually called it that. But his suggestion was that general economic performance rose and fell with the length of ladies' skirts.
Richard English
Posts: 8038 | Location: Partridge Green, West Sussex, UK
I suppose the ratio depends on what you decide as the parameter. Desmond Morris suggested that the shorter the skirt (and thus the higher the hem) the better was the economic performance of a country.
Or in other words, the more material in the skirt, the less cash in the pocket.
Richard English
Posts: 8038 | Location: Partridge Green, West Sussex, UK
Economic times are hard; women have to work longer hours and can't get to the gym as often, so they gain weight. And since money is so tight they can't afford a new razor or a trip to the salon for that waxing, so they wear longer skirts to hide their fat, hairy legs.
In better times, women work out more, have time to lay in the sun, get those bikini waxes, so they want to wear mini skirts to show off their fabulous gams.
In better times, women work out more, have time to lay in the sun, get those bikini waxes, so they want to wear mini skirts to show off their fabulous gams.
How does this theory hold out for the 1920s, though?
Richard English
Posts: 8038 | Location: Partridge Green, West Sussex, UK
Originally posted by TrossL: My theory re: this theory...
Economic times are hard; women have to work longer hours and can't get to the gym as often, so they gain weight. And since money is so tight they can't afford a new razor or a trip to the salon for that waxing, so they wear longer skirts to hide their fat, hairy legs.
In better times, women work out more, have time to lay in the sun, get those bikini waxes, so they want to wear mini skirts to show off their fabulous gams.
Alternatively:
Economic times are good; therefore there are more well-heeled men able to afford luxury goods; therefore there's more market for luxury goods (the ultimate luxury good being a cute young thing on your arm: outrageously expensive, but highly visible conspicuous consumption); therefore women find it a promising career move to more assertively strut their stuff and "display their wares".
Let's face it, had they gone any higher then the skirt would have become a belt.
If the theory is to hold good, hemlines will still be rising since the stock market is still rising. When it falls (or even crashes as some analysts believe it soon will) then we will see a simultaneous lengthening of hemlines.
Richard English
Posts: 8038 | Location: Partridge Green, West Sussex, UK
Originally posted by Richard English: ...When it falls (or even crashes as some analysts believe it soon will) then we will see a simultaneous lengthening of hemlines.
Tsk Tsk I had some beautiful midis-- finally gave them all away about 10 yrs ago. Had I only known about 'hemline theory', I would have kept them around!
Posts: 2605 | Location: As they say at 101.5FM: Not New York... Not Philadelphia... PROUD TO BE NEW JERSEY!
Tsk Tsk I had some beautiful midis-- finally gave them all away about 10 yrs ago. Had I only known about 'hemline theory', I would have kept them around!
So you didn't read any of sci-fi writer Robert Hemline's stuff, huh?
