Im noticing a lot of young women walking around New York somewhat naked.
Tights and leggings bravely substitute for pants.
My mother didnt own a single pair.)
This trend inspired me to Google Lycra.
I learned that it can stretch to eight times its normal size.
One look around the supermarket tells me this is true.
Recently, I couldnt help staring at a fellow passenger as we waited to board a flight.
She was a tall, young, blond woman, 25-ish, wearing a one-piece, full-length leotard-like outfit.
The work it would take to get it on and then get it off to use the bathroom!
My high school (class of 68) mandated that girls wear skirts or dresses to the knee.
Pants and jeans were banned; even culottes werent allowed.
Our gym uniforms were short versions of shirtwaist dresses in a heavy cotton.
Prom gowns veered toward the preppy.
(My mother made mine, which was white pique worn with long white gloves.)
No, not mine, not anyones.
Later, as a pregnant boomer, I wore camouflaging maternity clothes.
The dresses were cotton and flannel; smocks were sweet rather than sassy, often ruffled, seemingly apologetic.
Todays baby bumps are sheathed in tell-all Lycra proud, belly buttonprotuberant, beyond clingy to fused.
I confess to watchingSay Yes to the Dress, in which prospective brides try on wedding dresses.
This lacily transparent, plunge-y dress is the one that induces happy tears?
Bride after bride says she wants to look her sexiest walking down the aisle.
Maximum sexiness in wedding dresses?
I took up hems and rolled up the waistbands of my pleated skirts.
I remember my mother asking forlornly, Are you leaving the house like that?
If my legs were chilled by Massachusetts winters, too bad.
I didnt think I was being flirty.
It was how my friends dressed.
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