Gen X Journey

Question: In what foreign capital is it illegal for women to wear pants?

A) Washington
B) Paris
C) Suva
D) Port Morseby

Well, go on admit it, who was tossing up between Suva and Port Morseby. You’d be wrong on both accounts because it’s B–Paris. Bet you didn’t expect that did you?

The archaic rule was introduced in 1799 by Paris’ police chief, and stipulated than any Parisienne wishing to “dress like a man” must seek special permission from the city’s main police station. In 1892 it was amended so that any woman (could wear trousers) so long as she was holding the reins of a horse then in 1903 bicycle wearers were added to the list.

Anyway, for all of we tourists who have visited the French capital in our trouser, and allors jeans, will now be safe in the knowledge that we are obeying the French law as the government meets to overturn the law. I’ll bet all those trouser-wearing French policewomen are breathing a big sigh of relief. They must have felt like such hypocrites.
Sudan is another place that doesn’t allow the wearing of trousers. They tend to be a bit more strict about it than the French though. It was only last year that 10 women received 10 lashes and a fine for wearing trousers in Khartoum. It’s quite unbelievable isn’t it. Khartoum is not on my top 10000 places to ever visit in my life.

We women have Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to thank for our pants wearing obsession. They defied convention back in the 20s and 30s. There they were all wide legged trousers and cigarette holders. Very cool.

Actually what do you call them–pants or trousers. I like to mix them up for the sake of fairness and a bit of variety in my life. They can also be called capris, gauchos, coullotes (my favourite), breeches, jeans (straight leg, boyfriend, baggy, bootleg, skinny, etc) and trews. There’s also yoga pants, tights, leggins, treggins, jeggins and trackies. And it’s funny how they’re a pair even though they are one thing. A bit like scissors.

Anyway I’ve decided to compile a list of the 5 worst pants wearing crimes in two words.

1. High waisted pants. Jessica. Simpson.
2. Low waisted jeans. Muffin. Top.
3. Track suit pants. Only. Inside.
4. Harem pants. Poo. Catchers.
5. Leggings. Hide. Nothing.  Image