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The Skirt MAG

March 8, 2008
By EmilytheAuthor DIAMOND, St. Francisville, Louisiana
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EmilytheAuthor DIAMOND, St. Francisville, Louisiana
55 articles 20 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
Be who you are and say what you feel because those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind. -dr. seuss

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I will be the first to say that I am not materialistic. My friends label me as a goody-goody; my parents say I am conservative and modest when it comes to clothes. I don’t wear bikinis, and none of my skirts or shorts end above my knees. That is my choice.

So why, why did I feel so tempted? My family and I were in Target, and there it was, waiting. A skirt, specifically designed not to cover anything. It was tan and looked like something one of those anime schoolgirls would wear.

I checked my purse. The skirt cost $10. I had the money. I could buy it. I imagined walking into school and my pals’ jaws dropping. Guys would ask me out, and I would be happy. I could buy it – no, I should buy it.

I showed my mother. She was surprised but said it was my decision. My sister looked on enviously.

I went into the dressing room to try it on. So sure was I that this skirt would change me, somehow make me not what I am but what I wished to be. I slid my jeans off and put it on. Now for the decisive moment. I looked in the mirror. There I was – a geeky girl in a Superman T-shirt and sneakers. My glasses fogged up as I started to cry.

The skirt did not change me. Though it fit well and might make me look good in the eyes of ­today’s world, it was not me. I am not a girl who flirts or wears cool clothes to fit in.

I took the thing off and slid back into the ­comfort of modesty. My mom knocked on the door. “Emily, are you okay?”

I wiped away my tears. “I’m fine.” I looked in the ­mirror again and saw a blond skinny girl with dorky ­glasses and a ponytail. I saw myself.

© Marisa S., Alexandria, VA

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JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 341 comments.

Calvinia said...
on Mar. 18 2015 at 9:03 am
This article really reminded me of myself when I was a little girl and you have good talent, I would love see more of your work.
Cindy Dinh said...
on Jan. 28 2015 at 2:31 pm
Cindy Dinh, San Jose, California
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
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Gave me the shivers. Love this article and how relatable it is!
SaraCattt PLATINUM said...
on Jan. 19 2015 at 12:22 am
SaraCattt PLATINUM, Shelton, Washington
34 articles 0 photos 12 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I am and always will be the optimist. The hoper of far flung hopes, the dreamer of improbable dreams."- The Eleventh Doctor

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I love this so much. I've read it five times over and it's so relatable and true.
hunter said...
on Jan. 15 2015 at 2:43 pm
When I look in the mirror I seem myself a 16 year old goof ball with nerdy wire glasses. But it is not what you look like that matters. Its who you are on the inside.
Chrissiana1320 BRONZE said...
on Dec. 17 2014 at 1:11 am
Chrissiana1320 BRONZE, Hypoluxo, Florida
3 articles 0 photos 48 comments

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&quot;It isn&#039;t what you can do with your strength, but how you chose to use.&quot;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> -By me, I think.

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This is great Emily. It reminds me of me.
chari GOLD said...
on Dec. 1 2014 at 3:09 pm
chari GOLD, Saint Charles, Illinois
19 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
If you judge people, you have no time to love them. -Mother Teresa

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Your honesty is refreshing! This is great, good job! And for the record, Beauty is something that can never be achieved through how you look or what you wear. Be confident in who you are and you will radiate like no one else.
EleniAneziris DIAMOND said...
on Nov. 14 2014 at 12:21 am
EleniAneziris DIAMOND, East Setuaket, New York
57 articles 0 photos 7 comments
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I think you shouldn't care so much about whether something is considered "cool" or not. If you like the skirt, then wear it. Don't let anyone stop you from doing what you want. You do you. 
KrisKat BRONZE said...
on Nov. 12 2014 at 12:29 pm
KrisKat BRONZE, Ridgewood, New Jersey
1 article 1 photo 1 comment
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What a great article! Being a teenage girl without a smartphone, a boyfriend, or a group of "popular" friends, I can totally relate to this article. I loved the similes and descriptive language you incorporated into your piece, such as the "anime skirt." You are very talented!!
Larkin SILVER said...
on Nov. 9 2014 at 12:09 pm
Larkin SILVER, Santa Rosa, California
9 articles 0 photos 39 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Our remedies oft in ourself do lie, which we ascribe to heaven.&quot;<br /> -William Shakespeare

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This is so great. I had the same expierience with a dress the other day. Nice to know there are other teens like me out there. 
arion681 BRONZE said...
on Nov. 2 2014 at 2:23 pm
arion681 BRONZE, Oak Grove, Missouri
2 articles 0 photos 11 comments

Favorite Quote:
Maybe you can afford to wait. Maybe for you, there&#039;s a tomorrow. Maybe for you there&#039;s one thousand tomorrows, or ten, so much time you can bathe in it, roll around it, let it slide like coins through your fingers. So much time you can waste it. But for some of us, there&#039;s only today. And the truth is, you never really know.&quot;

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This seriously reminds me of myself! 
mkahhjxkjs said...
on Oct. 23 2014 at 2:19 pm
ys, You go girl  
MissCadabby BRONZE said...
on Oct. 23 2014 at 9:55 am
MissCadabby BRONZE, Flemington, New Jersey
4 articles 0 photos 4 comments
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Great insight and truly relatable!
lauraxin SILVER said...
on Sep. 10 2014 at 10:41 pm
lauraxin SILVER, Livingston, New Jersey
6 articles 0 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.&rdquo; ― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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I'm sure almost every girl can relate to this in some way. It's such a relatable story and full of feelings that I'm glad you took the time to write down.
dgeileen PLATINUM said...
on Sep. 6 2014 at 3:09 pm
dgeileen PLATINUM, Livingston, New Jersey
31 articles 2 photos 107 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.&rdquo; <br /> ― Oscar Wilde

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This actually really reminds me of myself...I bought the skirt, but it's just sitting in my closet. Waiting for the day when I am the person who can wear the skirt, or for when the skirt doesn't fit me: whichever comes first.
Olivia-Atlet ELITE said...
on Sep. 1 2014 at 12:17 pm
Olivia-Atlet ELITE, Dardenne Prairie, Missouri
325 articles 10 photos 1165 comments

Favorite Quote:
"To these the past hath its phantoms,<br /> More real than solid earth;<br /> And to these death does not mean decay,<br /> But only another birth" <br /> - Isabella Banks

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Wow, this almost perfectly describes me! I loved this sooooooo much! I am very glad this has so many comments, it's too god not to have this many. Keep being you, and keep inspiring!!!!
aarannya BRONZE said...
on Apr. 26 2014 at 9:50 am
aarannya BRONZE, Bareilly, Other
3 articles 0 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
A creative man is motivated<br /> by the desire to achieve,<br /> not by the desire to beat others.

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its really a good article and there are very few who believe in themselves and nt easily get iinfuencd by others...dressing sense is not somethng which defines the inner beauty:)
theSunfloweredCrow PLATINUM said...
on Apr. 12 2014 at 3:58 pm
theSunfloweredCrow PLATINUM, Green Bay, Wisconsin
47 articles 0 photos 66 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Can&#039;t keep my eyes from the circling sky,<br /> Tongue-tied and twisted<br /> Just an earth-bound misfit, I&quot;<br /> ~Pink Floyd<br /> <br /> &quot;Now is blessed<br /> The rest<br /> remembered &quot; <br /> <br /> ~Jim Morrison

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Although I kinda understand where you're coming from I don't agree with you. If something doesn't agree with you internally and you do it anyway, it would definately change who you are.  I think  what you wear really does matter more than what you realize. It shows part of your character.  When a girl decides to dress modestly, it doesn't mean she's trying to cover up herself to hide. Instead it shows her dignity.
theSunfloweredCrow PLATINUM said...
on Apr. 12 2014 at 3:47 pm
theSunfloweredCrow PLATINUM, Green Bay, Wisconsin
47 articles 0 photos 66 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Can&#039;t keep my eyes from the circling sky,<br /> Tongue-tied and twisted<br /> Just an earth-bound misfit, I&quot;<br /> ~Pink Floyd<br /> <br /> &quot;Now is blessed<br /> The rest<br /> remembered &quot; <br /> <br /> ~Jim Morrison

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This was a great article! Your narrative voice was awesome and you said in such few words and you still got your point across. I totally understand where you're coming from too. I like to stay modest and appropriate too. I don't like dressing trashy and wearing inappropriate clothes even if it's the "in thing to do." Don't ever compromise your morals even if it's the cool thing to do. I love this and I respect your choice for not buying the short skirt even though you knew you totally could if you wanted to. That takes real strength. :) Again great article!
CookieMonster24 PLATINUM said...
on Apr. 8 2014 at 4:38 pm
CookieMonster24 PLATINUM, Delhi, Other
25 articles 2 photos 147 comments
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Define 'cool clothes". ;) 
Nicolette4455 BRONZE said...
on Mar. 16 2014 at 10:11 pm
Nicolette4455 BRONZE, Tappan, New York
2 articles 0 photos 14 comments

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&quot;Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all people in this world haven&#039;t had the advantages you&#039;ve had.&quot; - F. Scott Fitzgerald

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The idealization of clothing, and how one believes it is going to make them somehow better is so relatable. I absolutely love the line: "So sure was I that this skirt would change me, somehow make me not what I am but what I wished to be."  I hope you know you are beautiful, and not for your appearance, but for your words.