More Skin=More Empowerment

In the 1960s, women began reviving their personal independence from what society believed a woman should be through fashion.  During this time period, women began expressing their freedom through the infamous mini skirt and it was an outrage.  Society believed that descent ladies should not be taking part in the rebellious mod style; however, the youth had different opinions.  The mod look was in and it gave women a freedom that had not been felt since the flappers kissed goodbye their long locks and corsets. Women were wearing mini skirts because they wanted to and because they could.

Women viewed these skirts as empowering tools that allowed them to do things they couldn’t do before.  Tangibly speaking, they could walk with more ease and show off their figures.  Psychologically, the skirts sparked passion, determination, and self-rule amongst females.  These differences were greatly reflected in several protests that women took part in, including the Civil Rights Movement.  Undoubtedly, women were forcing themselves into politics and the professional world by earning various employment opportunities, among other benefits, through policies like the Equal Pay Act.  The women of the 1960s changed fashion rules to show that neither clothes nor politics would limit their identities.

Women, today, continue to shock the world through fashion to re-initiate ‘Girl Power.’  Jennifer Lopez’s infamous Versace gown is a perfect example.  Lopez has established herself as one of the most successful business women in today’s society, which is precisely why she wore that dress.  Jennifer Lopez wanted to remind the public that she could wear whatever she wants because, at the end of the day, she is the one writing the checks.

Although Lopez wasn’t sporting a mini skirt on this red carpet, her message exemplifies that this liberating mentality from the ‘60s, in parallel to women’s fashion and status, is still very present.  Women have achieved a sense of freedom in various aspects of society, which also translates into clothing.  Women now become what they want to be, wear what they want to wear, and do what they want to do because of the 1960s mini skirt.

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