On Being “Ladylike”

mandalay:

It’s a funny thing, being ladylike. Some things are obvious and are simply good manners: the art of polite conversation, no pantylines or noticeable bra straps, sitting with your legs closed (duh), perfect table manners, etc. Others are confusing: why can’t I put on lipstick in public? Is that somehow offensive? My mother thinks that drinking beer is not ladylike, and is mortified when she sees my bare legs in a dress. I, on the other hand, will noticeably cringe when other women engage in bathroom-related talk; cursing, however, is just fine. I break and blow through these rules at a whim, but one thing remains constant: posture. Back straight, perfect poise in heels, and never, ever touch the banister of a stairwell.

While I’ve many thoughts on being lady-like and gentlemanly, I’m reblogging specifically to point out that no less than the incoming First Lady herself confidently sports bare legs. It’s referred to in passing within the Wall Street Journal Weekend’s feature on Mrs. Obama: Over-40 Finds A Muse. 

So naive am I, it never really dawned on me women felt obligated to wear hose beyond dressy occasions. (My Mom near-always wore pants during my impressionable period.) But I’d rather make it strictly optional for everyone, before solidarity requires mantyhose!

3 years ago  /  14 notes  /  Source: mandalay