This year the Sydney Royal Easter Show wasn’t about the rides or the show bags or even the wood chopping. The fairy floss, the demented fairies on sticks, the cheese sticks… all those fairies and sticks, they all took a back seat.
Because this year, the Sydney Royal Easter Show was all about the Daisy Dukes.
Pack after pack after pack of teenage girl gangs sauntered past in little, bitty denim cut-offs showing lashings and lashings of suddenly very large thigh. Seriously, do those pants look good on anyone?
It was easily less than 16 degrees in the cattle yard, thrumming with rain and still the Easter shorts parade went on. That darn Katy Perry, this was all her fault. Slashed shorts with the pockets hanging down the regulation 3cm lower than the actual short. The chain-store examples even had beading and studs on the inside-out pockets, thereby removing any semblance of nonchalance from the outfit.
The result was a line of Katys who were all so samey-same-same that I was surprised all the little Biebers running around could actually tell them apart. Did they find all those purplish, dimpled thighs hot, hot, hot or like me did they wish the Katys would swap their very-shorts for something a little more… flattering. Even the one girl in a million who could carry off the Dukes would have looked better in a cute little mini or a pair of skinnies.
Next time I’m tempted to indulge in foolish ‘back when I was young and could wear absolutely anything’ nostalgia, I will remind myself of those masses of short-challenged girls (and my own ill-advised green denim extra-mini skirt circa 1986). Trust me, thighs that need ample coverage can happen at any age and Daisy Dukes are not our friends.
Suzi says
Oh those shorts are awful! Being someone that is ” fuller thighed” I don’t like to wear shorts of any kind, but those, seriously? As you said only one in a million can pull them off! I’m just hoping flares come back in soon, my fuller thighed/ calved self can’t do skinny legs either!
Becky says
I have noticed this recently, too. I was especially disturbed when out having breakfast with my 2 year old and a group of teenage girls walked by. I wasn’t only seeing thigh; their shorts didn’t even cover their bot-bots (that’s what my two year old calls bottoms) and they were at eye height as we were seated!!!
Love in a B and B says
A few days ago a very young woman leaned across me wearing what can only be described as a denim
g-string which showed the world pretty much everything. All I could think was thank goodness she’d recently been to Brazil.
As my mother regularly said to me in my teenage mini-skirt moments: “Is there nothing left to the imagination?”
therhythmmethod says
I don’t think young girls understand how sexualised they make themselves look. They like to look older, and become slaves to fashion. I wish our society made it easier for them to just find themselves, and wear what works for their bodies.
I totally agree, hardly anyone can pull this look off. And I don’t give two hoots if we sound like old nanas, I’d much rather feel comfy in my own skin and if I had daughters, I’d want that for them too.
Cate says
I agree about the pockets! I mean really, they had the scissors in their hands anyway when they cut the legs off the pants, why didn’t they cut the pockets off too? It’s not like they can use them anyway, the shorts are far too tight!
I used to teach histology at uni (the thing where you sit and look down microscopes a lot) and I would routinely walk around telling the 1st yr girls that their g-strings were showing (but then I’m quite rude!).
Sadly I can’t think of anything particularly risky that I used to wear – I actually think that’s a bit of a sad indictment on my(un-)mis-spent youth!
xxxCate
Naturally Carol says
Their were minis in the sixties and then hotpants in the seventies..that’s where I became a teen..the 70’s..but I never had the shape for hotpants..wished like crazy that I did..but that didn’t help! At least when these short things come in to fashion there are maxis as well for the not so slim and long legged chicks if they choose to cover up. I just hope the Biebers don’t go all short shorts on us too!
Anonymous says
Oh No those short shorts are hideous! and i saw a girl wearing them out on a saturday night, to a club! WTF? beach yes club no. And i saw one girl wear them they had rode up her clacker so far the half moons of her ass cheeks were hanging out the bottom… not a good look. <3 from Nanna x o x
Diminishing Lucy says
I have a polaroid of myself circa 1982 in stretch denim skin tight skinny jeans. And another of me on same holiday in very skimpy “Dolphin” shorts.
At least I had a tan. It was my only saving grace…
Posie Patchwork says
OH, agree times a million, i’ve said it before “all shapes & sizes wear them, in a pack, why??” They all look the same, don’t get me started on the hair or heavy under eye makeup – look how unsuccessful panda eyes were for Beatrice & Eugenie. The Middletons would rock those shorts, they make up for the millions who can’t.
You thought it was bad at the Sydney Easter Show, i spent 2 weeks in Qld, they were EVERYWHERE.
My nieces are all super model sized & do look great in them, i guess wear they while you can, but they actually team with bikinis as they are actually on their way to the beach or pool or home, NOT shopping!! I have leggy children but i supervise their emsembles from a fashion point of view, my husband can do it from the not-my-daughter angle. My 3rd daughter is the one to worry about, wears a change of clothes under her uniform, has done since year 1, she whips off her uniform in the car (thank goodness not at midday & cruises the local shops, she’s not a liar but loves individuality). Love Posie
Alice Becomes says
I remember when I was twelve and I was really into halter neck tops and short denim shorts.
My mum was very much against me wearing this kind of attire and in reflection, I have no idea what spurred me on to wear this type of ‘tarty’ clothing, except for a bit of peer pressure and the likes of Kylie and Madonna!
Nic xo
Life In A Pink Fibro says
Sounds like the Royal Easter Show was the Fibrotown show on steroids when it comes to shorts and Biebers. It’s a rare girl that can carry them off.
Mama of 2 boys says
No no no, you’re not eighty at all! I actually even noticed the inappropriateness of attire being strutted out and about the Easter Show. So MANY tweens and late teens sporting their thunder thighs beneath but a strip of denim!
I even saw one girl with long jeans ripped in so many places it would make your eyes water. Why wear them at all?!
I guess it’s a good thing they’re comfortable in their own skin. Oh who am i kidding, it’s wrong wrong wrong!
But then I did have a shorter than short pair of Mambo shorts myself… in the early nineties of course when my legs were like bean poles. Oh lord, remember Mambo!?
Great post Maxabella :o)
Lou says
Hmmm..I have to say that rather than clothes with me it was shoes..Without my Mum’s permission I went into town with a friend when I was around 15 i guess, and I bought myself a pair of very high black winkle pickers! They were so high that I oculdn’t possibly walk in them, and the pointed toes were so long and pointy that had I been able to take a step, I would inevitably of tripped over my own toe and fallen flat on my face!
Needless to say – these days I still can’t walk very well on heels higher than about 3.5 inches!
Lou đ
Corinne â Daze of My Life says
Oh my, we didn’t go to the Easter Show but we did go to Dreamworld over the break and I noticed the phenomenom there. I thought it might be a Queensland thing, evidently not.
It is so unflattering and on such a mass level!
I wore these awful pair of jeans that were one leg white and one leg black. I thought they were very cool, but alas they were just plain ugly.
Tammi says
Oh I too dispise those short shorts…especially on those who don’t have the legs to do themselves justice. They are everywhere nowadays.
I was the biggest of tomboys through my teens and cringe when I see photos of me sporting oversized tees, rugby socks and gumboots teemed with my school skirt which I wore shorts under. Yes, I went to school dressed like that and am surprised I got away with it đ Thank goodness I grew up and now love being a woman!!
Rosalind says
oh I need to visit here for a daily belly laugh! I often think I sound the same ‘old’ when I make such comments or think them! Not much fashion was any good in the eighties in my humble opinion and why we need to revive the awful fashion from back then is beyond me đ
Rosalind says
oh I need to visit here for a daily belly laugh! I often think I sound the same ‘old’ when I make such comments or think them! Not much fashion was any good in the eighties in my humble opinion and why we need to revive the awful fashion from back then is beyond me đ
Felicity says
I’m printing this off as a discussion-starter with the teen & tween ‘Gifts’ who may just be heading for birkas if they continue to insist that rocking the Daisy Duke look is the best way to dress.
Loving your insight as ever,
xx F
Kelly says
I was only just the other day complaining to my husband about the short denim shorts all the teens are wearing. They look so horrible, I don’t know what they are thinking when they walk out the door looking like that!
Kelly says
OMG, I just re-read my comment – I sound so old!
MultipleMum says
It is rather tragic isn’t it? Cousin A and her gang all do them. They are all high waisted and short legged and so very wrong. I had many fashion faux pas moments – do you remember the 3/4 length pin-striped jeans? How about that gigantic bright-blue knitted sweater that was long enough to be a dress but wasn’t meant to be? And my poo-catchers? And the five years or so I spent in leggings? Hmmm… I am a fashion disaster really x
Jaz from Treacy Travels says
hee heee hee hee hee what a giggle. Love this post!
But i probably can’t talk. The eighties were a tragedy!! I used to love my baggy jerseys, spaghetti jeans and basketball boots. Never mind my feet looked huge sticking out under such tight jeans.I must have looked like a clown from one of those Easter shows. ICK!!!!
Amelia {Weddings, Babies... Everything} says
Oh I hear you! What is with “kids these days”?!
My worst get up was a pair of purple velvet jeans teamed with a purple silk/nylon top. It seemed that at age 12, I loved purple… Wrong.
Vanessa says
Our Royal Show is in September, I consider myself warned.
Kelly Ingram says
Love your outlook on these things…always gives me a giggle :-P. I don’t understand the need to wear daisy dukes or such things when the weather is freezing…comfort over fashion for me..yes, it makes me feel old (but warm and toasty!).
I was a bit of a fashion victim as a teen though…anyone remember permed fringes..oh yes, I went there đ
mel @ loved says
There is just so much gorgeous girly fashion about right now, why do they do that to themselves, they have options!! I’m not sure what my biggest fashion disaster may have been..I was fond of the fake hair piece for quite some time in the 90’s…Oh god that was hideous!
Ebonie's Mummy says
Good god I’m only 22 and sometimes I think I’m prudish with what I think about some peoples outfits, but you’re spot on! What ever happened to leaving something to the imagination?!
Tracy Todd says
As a teenager, I wore brightly colored thermal underwear under denim mini skirts… I thought it looked good for some reason.
Thanks for making me smile.
Kellie says
Yup, definitely Katy Perry’s fault!! It always makes me wonder where this is all going to lead. I dread the day my girls are old enough to start noticing this sort of thing!! In the meantime, I’m revelling in them wearing pretty pink dresses and having their hair in pony tails. đ
terimo76 says
This will make me sound old… but I’m amazed at teenagers’ rush to conform to “nonconformity.” Did we do that? We probably did. Great post.
Indy
http://indyink.wordpress.com/
Jane@flightplatformliving says
ha ha ha if you are 80 then so am i! as an 80’s child myself i wore very many awful things, nothing sat well to be honest with my acne, glasses and brace on my teeth…not to mention the 3 stone overweight! you would think that adding a shiny platic red bow tie to everything would have been the last thing on my mind but oh no that shiny little bit of awful was added to most outfits! cringe!!!
Jane says
Whenever I go to Westfield these days, I feel like there are denim cut-off shorts EVERYWHERE. Even when it’s a cold day. Did I miss the memo? Am I supposed to be showing actual arse cheek too? The worst ones are the high waisted ones… Anything that involves bum cleavage or camel toe is NOT YOUR FRIEND, GIRLS.
I wore denim overalls in 1999. Hawt.
xxx
Kymmie says
How I giggled with this post. Oh yes, those short shorts are awfully tragic. And perhaps I’m from the eighties too (which makes me wonder how we can even judge on this stuff), and do wonder about the fashions today. But more than that. The fashions that simply don’t suit muffin tops. Or cellulite. There is a class, no matter what the fashion!
xx
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