From Mini-Skirts to Star Trek: How Gendered Fashion Evolves Through Time and Space

 

What 1970s flight attendants and Star Trek can teach us about the future of professional fashion

Why I’m Writing This Today

I can’t be too creative right now… coding to do. But I saw this image and I was absolutely inspired to write this blog post today. So many things speak to me about this photo.

1. I was born in 1970
2. The colors are striking
3. These women appear so happy…and then I started thinking…they were the jet set of the day…and it likely was their only career option that gave them power
4. Sexuality has often been one of the few tolerated tools of power women could wield over men
5. But that’s simplistic – the reality is much more complex and varied across individuals and cultures
6. I thought, I would love to see this again, then I was conflicted because I know if such a choice is compulsory…then it is objectifying women
7. Now I’m conflicted

Random thoughts: I’ve seen pretty fly attendants of both genders. Do these colors match? Sure they match. Look at you Sexy Boots…I see you! Where are these women today? Did their perspectives change with time? What are their thoughts on these uniforms? Star Trek, I really love Star Trek. If I were a man in 1970’s, I would have 30 kids…but…I would be ready to check out.

So here I am, wrestling with nostalgia, fashion, gender roles, and somehow Star Trek beam-transported into my thought process. Let’s explore this strange fashion universe together, shall we?

When calls to “bring back” mini-skirted flight attendant uniforms surfaced online, it sparked heated debate. But before we get nostalgic for the past or dismiss these styles completely, there’s a fascinating history of short hemlines across genders that might surprise you…

The Mini-Skirt: Revolution and Controversy

The mini-skirt as we know it today emerged in the 1960s, revolutionizing fashion and challenging social norms. Mary Quant, the British designer often credited with inventing the style, named it after her favorite car – the Mini Cooper.

• Airline Industry Connection: By the 1970s, major airlines incorporated mini-skirts into stewardess uniforms, creating an enduring image we still reference today
• Marketing Tool: These uniforms were explicitly designed to attract male business travelers with slogans like “Fly me” (National Airlines) and “We really move our tails for you” (Continental)
• Working Conditions: Many flight attendants faced strict weight requirements, height restrictions, and appearance checks before each flight
• Modern Perspective: What was once marketed as “glamorous” is now recognized as a period when many women endured workplace sexism and objectification

The mini-skirt represented liberation for some women who chose to wear it and corporate control for others who were required to wear it professionally.

Men in Skirts: A Global Tradition

Long before Star Trek envisioned men in “skants,” men across numerous cultures wore skirt-like garments:

• Scottish Kilts: Originally full-body garments in the 16th century that evolved into the knee-length style we know today
• Greek Fustanella: Pleated skirts worn by men in modern Greece, Albania, and surrounding regions
• Roman Tunics: Standard male clothing that resembled short dresses
• Sarongs and Lungis: Worn by men across Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and India
• Hakama: Traditional Japanese divided skirt-like garments worn over kimonos by samurai and now in martial arts

These garments were designed for practical reasons: ease of movement, adaptability to climate, and simplicity of construction with limited fabric technology.

Star Trek’s Bold Fashion Statement

In 1987, Star Trek: The Next Generation made a subtle but revolutionary statement by including the “skant” uniform option for all genders.

• Creator Gene Roddenberry deliberately designed a future where clothing wasn’t restricted by gender norms
• Male crew members can be spotted wearing the skant uniform in early episodes, particularly in “Encounter at Farpoint”
• The design suggested that in the 24th century, humanity had moved beyond our current gender-based clothing restrictions
• This was considered progressive for 1980s television, even if it was only shown briefly

Are Mini-Skirts “In” Today?

Mini-skirts never fully disappeared, but their place in fashion has evolved:

• Casual Wear: Mini-skirts remain a fashion staple, especially in youth culture
• Professional Settings: Generally reserved for creative industries rather than conservative workplaces
• Contemporary Twist: Often paired with leggings, tights, or boots for versatility
• Runway Revival: Designers regularly reinterpret the mini, with recent seasons showing a resurgence

The key difference today is choice. While some companies still have dress codes, explicit requirements for women to wear revealing clothing have largely disappeared from mainstream professional environments.

The Future of Professional Fashion

As workplaces evolve and gender norms continue to shift, professional fashion likely will too:

• Gender-Neutral Options: More companies are adopting uniform options available to all employees regardless of gender
• Functionality First: Features like pockets, comfort, and practicality are increasingly prioritized
• Personalization: Many workplaces now allow more individual expression within broader guidelines
• Cultural Sensitivity: Growing recognition of diverse cultural dress traditions in global workplaces

Why Are We Still Talking About Mini-Skirts?

Our continued fascination with mini-skirts reflects deeper questions about gender, choice, and power:

• They represent both liberation and objectification depending on context
• They challenge our notions about professional appearance and respectability
• They remind us how quickly social norms can change within a generation
• They demonstrate how clothing carries different meanings across cultures and contexts

My Takeaway

Fashion is never just about hemlines—it’s about who decides what we wear and why. The most progressive approach isn’t necessarily banning or mandating any particular style, but ensuring everyone has the autonomy to choose clothing that makes them feel comfortable, confident, and respected.

Whether mini-skirts make a comeback in professional settings or not, the future of fashion looks most promising when it expands options rather than restricts them, regardless of gender.

What fashion trends do you think deserve reconsideration—or retirement? Share your thoughts in the comments below!