The Skirt | Teen Ink

The Skirt MAG

March 8, 2008
By EmilytheAuthor DIAMOND, St. Francisville, Louisiana
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


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.



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This article has 341 comments.


on Jan. 14 2010 at 8:17 pm
Adri_eyes SILVER, Miami, Florida
5 articles 4 photos 2 comments
This is really good! I like it a lot because i've felt the same way about a lot of things!

on Jan. 14 2010 at 6:44 pm
gtfclucky2 BRONZE, Perrysburg, Ohio
2 articles 0 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
:)Just keep swimming(:

I agree with this post. And anyways, even if you *think* you want to be this person, i don't think you really do. I think you're better than that. So stay true[:

Stina said...
on Jan. 14 2010 at 10:43 am
Just be yourself! :) Wear what you like and be proud of who you are. Some wear jeans and some wear skirts. Who cares? I like wearing skirts and dresses because they are comfy! But not really now when its like -10 outside x)

sara16 said...
on Jan. 14 2010 at 10:23 am
we all have our flaws,nobody is perfect. just dress how your comfortable,dont ever change who you are for who you want to be!

mayraa said...
on Jan. 13 2010 at 7:34 am
sometimes i try on clothes that dont look nice but then i find clothes that look nice so maybe that wasnt the skirt for you.

emogrl said...
on Jan. 4 2010 at 7:50 pm
stay true to urself and be urself cuz true beauty is inside.

on Dec. 23 2009 at 8:23 pm
Short, simple, but it has the message. :)

on Dec. 23 2009 at 7:25 pm
SerenityMine BRONZE, Not Saying, California
2 articles 0 photos 156 comments
That is wonderful. This was a great piece, and I've had similar experiences. :)

on Dec. 23 2009 at 4:27 pm
BritneyG. BRONZE, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
1 article 0 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
“My life is like a coloring book with a page in the back you can lick and it tastes like Kool-Aid.”
~My Dad :)

That is so great how you stayed true to yourself!!! :)

on Dec. 23 2009 at 2:05 pm
pandaLICIOUS SILVER, Portland, Oregon
8 articles 0 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” -Audrey Hepburn

Very inspiring, and a good message. WELL DONE!

on Dec. 23 2009 at 1:06 pm
harpangel BRONZE, Voorhees, New Jersey
4 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
A kingdom founded on injustice never lasts- Seneca, a Roman philosopher.

love this, the message is true!

reesha SILVER said...
on Dec. 23 2009 at 10:39 am
reesha SILVER, Rawalpindi, Other
6 articles 15 photos 124 comments

Favorite Quote:
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."
Walt Disney

"Hakuna Matata!"
Lion King

"The British policy was 'unite and conquer'. But I say 'unite and conquer'."
Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea)

modesty is good!! I commend u for that! And ur writing is very good!

on Dec. 23 2009 at 6:45 am
aesha123 BRONZE, Roslyn, New York
2 articles 0 photos 5 comments

Favorite Quote:
i set goals, not limits

Amazin, the fact that u didnt wear the skirt shows just how strong u really are

on Dec. 14 2009 at 12:09 pm
ReflectionsofYou GOLD, Mason, Tennessee
10 articles 0 photos 107 comments
Good for you. No schame in being modest:]

on Nov. 25 2009 at 3:12 pm
scarletP SILVER, East Lansing, Michigan
8 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
"A smart girl listens but doesn't believe, kisses but doesn't love and leaves before she is left."
-- Marilyn Monroe

be true to yourself and the rest will come. nicely written.

on Nov. 16 2009 at 2:10 am
Anonymous16 BRONZE, Calabasas, California
2 articles 0 photos 11 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life is the struggle between our desire for union and our desire for seperation

Your tears make you a stronger person than most

on Nov. 15 2009 at 5:05 am
toxic.monkey SILVER, Tashkent, Other
6 articles 0 photos 210 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Homo homini lupus"

i think as long as you like yourself, it's all good. no one can be happy hating their own self. its fine to try new things--- i can completely relate:)))

on Nov. 11 2009 at 5:17 pm
phoenixqueen GOLD, Idaho Falls, Idaho
10 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I cannot live without books."

I completely understand. Being yourself does not mean being popular.

Belma H. said...
on Nov. 10 2009 at 9:24 am
I totally hear you. This piece is wonderful, keep writing!!! :)

on Nov. 8 2009 at 3:25 pm
CaseyLeigh PLATINUM, Moraga, California
31 articles 6 photos 137 comments

Favorite Quote:
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to.

I love this piece, and how you're willing to be yourself, even with the temptation of the skirt.