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Hemline Theory
October 02, 2007, 20:02
<Asa Lovejoy>Hemline Theory
This term has been around for decades, but how many decades? Does any one - ahem - take stock in it?
October 02, 2007, 20:20
jerry thomas.... only those with a kneed to know ......
October 02, 2007, 22:56
neveuWe still have hemlines?
October 03, 2007, 02:55
Richard EnglishSo 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
October 03, 2007, 07:16
<Asa Lovejoy>quote:
Originally posted by neveu:
We still have hemlines?
I personally don't, but others might.
October 03, 2007, 08:29
shufitzLaughing here, Jerry!
quote:
his suggestion was that general economic performance rose and fell with the length of ladies' skirts.Or that the length of ladies' skirts rose and fell with general economic performance.
(I should note that the theory is that ecomomic performance is correlated with the
hemline, and thus is
inversely proportional to skirt length.
)
October 03, 2007, 09:34
Richard EnglishI 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
October 03, 2007, 13:02
TrossLMy 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.
October 03, 2007, 14:27
Richard Englishquote:
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
October 03, 2007, 16:00
<Asa Lovejoy>quote:
Originally posted by TrossL:
In better times, women work out more, have time to lay in the sun,
Ah, the old lay/lie business! If they "lay" in the sun, I presume someone is laying them?
October 03, 2007, 19:48
shufitzquote:
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".
October 03, 2007, 20:29
KallehTrossL, I love your theory!
October 20, 2007, 19:41
CaterwaullerWhat is it that is rising or falling with hemlines?
*******
"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
~Dalai Lama
October 20, 2007, 19:52
<Asa Lovejoy>The stock market - AND the "angle of the dangle!"
October 20, 2007, 19:58
KallehI've never seen a time when the hemlines were actually falling, have you? It always seems that they are rising.
October 20, 2007, 23:30
zmježdThey fell shortly after the micro-miniskirt: late '60s, early '70s.
—Ceci n'est pas un seing.
October 21, 2007, 00:51
Richard EnglishLet'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
October 21, 2007, 06:52
bethree5quote:
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!
October 21, 2007, 10:16
<Asa Lovejoy>quote:
Originally posted by bethree5:
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?
October 21, 2007, 11:14
jerry thomas genealogy. .... FWIW.
October 21, 2007, 12:01
<Asa Lovejoy>I was trying to pun
Heinlein, but appear to have failed.
Asa, slinking back to his doghouse, tail between legs.
October 21, 2007, 13:01
jerry thomasCheer up, Asa. Your Heinlein pun worked very well. LOL and hahahahaha
.....
SIT ! ..... STAY !! October 21, 2007, 13:38
<Asa Lovejoy>Oh, thank goodness! I was afraid I was being a pain in the Asimov.