It seems to the gg that Barack Obama gets blamed for lots of things these
days that weren’t his fault, so I’m
going to give him a rest and pick on his much more popular wife, the former
First Lady, Michelle Obama. Why, you
ask? Wasn’t she a good first lady? Didn’t she promote lots of measures to
improve the quality of life on this planet?
Well, yes. But as I recall she
was also the first one to appear in
public wearing that widely publicized sleeveless dress which set off a frenzy
in womens’ fashion, with every major designer of women’s clothing clamoring to incorporate that same look in their offerings. We all know that Abraham Lincoln is credited
as the one who ended slavery in this country, but few may know that Michelle
Obama is the one who ended sleevery. Let’s
face it - the trend of sleeveless dresses has taken this country - no, not just
this country but the entire world of women’s fashion - by storm and there
appears to be no let-up. Don’t believe the old gg? Then do this:
Turn on your TV to any cable news show or any other kind of program that
features women in some kind of important role.
Still not convinced? Then go to
any department store. Go to Wal Mart.
Heck, go to church even. You will
see women of all ages, all heights, all weights, all body sizes wearing those
sleeveless tops.
The gg spends a fair
amount of time watching cable news, switching back and forth among the various
networks so as to try to absorb a “balanced” account of the “news.” It’s here that I first began to really
appreciate how the sleeveless phenomenon has taken over women’s fashion.The Fox
News women seem to have embraced the sleeveless craze slightly more than their
counterparts on their rival networks. In
fact, some of their attire reveals not only arms but shoulders as well, with
round or diamond-shaped cutouts in the front.
At the same time, the necklines are plunging down and hemlines are continuing to go up.
It’s almost as though they are in a contest to see which of them can
reveal the most of themselves and still
retain their creds as journalists. (Dear reader, it’s called “Foxxy News” for a
reason.) 25 or 50 years ago, their mothers would have come
onto the studio set and covered them with a blanket. But today, the mothers are dressed the same
way.
So is Mrs. Obama to blame (or, I suppose, to thank depending
on one’s point of view), or is this all a harmless, even healthful development
and a simple norm for the times we live in?
After all, this is now a society where unshaven male executives wear T-shirts and blue jeans to work
and even to what used to be formal social occasions that required suit and tie. Now I know what you’re thinking – that this
is just the latest example of the old gg being way behind the times and needing
something to grouch about. And you’re
right, I am and it is. And that’s just
how the gg likes it. But I have to admit
– there is at least one practical justification for the sleeveless look: It makes it much easier to get that flu shot
during the flu season.
Oh, well, I have to close this posting now – I’m running
late to my appointment with this
seamstress I’ve hired to cut the sleeves out of all of my shirts. Who knows – I might just kick start a similar
revolution in men’s fashion. The gg is
more than willing to lead the charge.
And I will have the weight of the US Constitution on my side. Somewhere, doesn’t it say something about the
right to bare arms?
gg
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