Micro-Shorts & Micro-Weddings
Image Courtesy: Back2Basics
For years, American fashion has represented the values and culture of the times. As trends come and go faster than ever before, the micro-short has claimed its place in the fashion space once again. Traditionally known as hot pants in years prior, the shorts are confident fashion statements, going against the modesty women have been expected to uphold throughout time, then and now. They represent confidence, bodily autonomy, and a willingness to defy expectations—particularly those that dictate how women “should” present themselves. As fashion changes for us to better express ourselves, wedding traditions are challenged as well. Recently, micro-weddings have been one of the trends that have taken the wedding world by storm, disrupting what has been known of weddings for decades. Despite being completely different, micro-shorts and micro-weddings speak to a greater cultural movement affecting us all.
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Sexual liberation may be at an all-time high, with clear representation in movies, music, and social media. This new era of openness is unprecedented, embracing a broader range of identities, preferences, and lifestyles than ever before. As a result, individuals, especially young people, are engaging with more diverse and nuanced portrayals of sexuality, which has contributed to a shift in societal norms and personal attitudes about what it means to be liberated sexually. This new liberation shapes our society in more ways than one: in the media we consume, the clothes we wear, and how we move forward with our relationships.
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Gaining popularity during COVID-19, micro-weddings, defined by small guest lists and intimate venues, have risen in popularity. While that may be attributed to increases in wedding planning costs, another aspect is the change in values in many modern brides. Traditions such as being given away by the father, wearing white dresses, and the garter toss are just some of the wedding traditions on their way out, pointing in the direction of women keeping their autonomy despite the marriage. Culturally, trends such as micro-shorts and micro-weddings show us how women still crave independence beyond what we currently have.
Economic, political, and religious reasons all contribute to the ever-changing values many women hold. Economic independence, for example, has given women more financial freedom to make choices that align with their beliefs rather than following family or social pressures. Politically, increased attention to gender equality and women's rights has empowered women to assert their independence. Even shifting religious attitudes, with a broader acceptance of personal interpretation over strict adherence to traditional practices, play a role in how women today perceive their options.
Image Courtesy: Tania Maras
Ultimately, micro-shorts and micro-weddings illustrate how women today reshape the narrative of independence. While micro-shorts and micro-weddings may not be for everyone, they give people options that were impossible before. Though appearing in vastly different spheres, each trend speaks to a common theme: pursuing freedom and individuality in a world still burdened with expectations.
Strike Out,
Writer: Jasmine Diaz
Editor: Grace Groover
Tallahassee