Miniskirts are SO Over.

Well, they are according to Lugi Bobbio, mayor of Castellammare di Stabia, a small seaside town in Italy.

But, don't worry, he only wants to ban the ones that are so short that they show a woman's underwear. Except for beach areas. Police will be checking the hemlines of women's skirts, and those found to be against the ordinance will be forced to pay 25-500 euros (equivalent to $35-700 American dollars).

This is honestly one of the most ridiculous laws I have heard. While I disapprove of the unwarranted ass peepshow as much as the next person, I find it hard to believe that this is the biggest problem facing the town.

I realize that I live in a much larger area with (predictably) higher crime rates, but I'm sure there is at least some petty crime within the town. I do not think that police officers should be spending their time measuring the lengths of women's skirts (Are we really back to the "finger-tip rule" from elementary?), but instead should be working on improving the town for ALL of the citizens.

Oh, and a potential $700 fine? A little excessive if you ask me.

Also, the idea that (most likely) male police officer's would be physically "measuring" the short hemlines of women's skirts looks like a red flag to me.

The mayor hopes that his ideas will help to "restore urban decorum and facilitate better civil coexistence." While I can appreciate his ultimate goal, I don't think these proposed bans will successfully achieve them.

Italy is a democracy, and therefore provides people the rights to control their own lives. I think that people should be aware of common decency (whether it affects their clothing or word choice) and should act accordingly, but they still deserve the right to make their own decision.

Unless a clothing choice is severely disrupting the flow of society, I don't think the government should have a legitimate reason to intervene.

As absurd as this law may seem, other places such as Kenya, Uganda, Chile and areas in the UK have proposed a miniskirt ban as well. Some of these bans have passed, others have not.

Miniskirts are also being banned in the job place, as well as schools. These bans are less surprising, as I don't think miniskirts are appropriate attire for the professional world. They are fun and flirty, and meant for those types of situations.

As long as people recognize these boundaries, I don't think that governments should find a realistic need for these bans.

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