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. 27 2011 at 9:55 pm
FlyleafFreak DIAMOND, Loveland, Colorado
51 articles 0 photos 203 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I have faith in fools;self confidence my friends call it"~Edger Allan Poe
"In this world of infinite insanity, your friends are the best psychiatrists you will ever have."~Me

Wow, it must of took alot of courage to write this. I feel the same way. I know a lot of guys who look for a girls personality more so over her looks. Great job, you go girl

Rozaa SILVER said...
on Jan. 24 2011 at 5:44 pm
Rozaa SILVER, San Marcos, California
5 articles 0 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
I love it when my fingers are entwined in yours, and the tingly sensation i got when you touched me. It made me feel so safe so loved; so totally bouned to you. forver. And i still am even though you left me.

Being yourself is always the best thing. you would be suprised at how many boys secretly like you even if your not cool or popular.

Alia_Tan GOLD said...
on Jan. 23 2011 at 11:53 pm
Alia_Tan GOLD, Elk Grove, California
15 articles 0 photos 69 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I gotta right to sing the blues/
gotta right to moan and sigh/
I gotta right to sit and cry" From "I gotta right to sing the blues" By Louis Armstrong

Great Job! I know exactly how you feel!

on Jan. 23 2011 at 7:16 pm
prophetic_priestess BRONZE, Muskegon, Michigan
2 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Boys frustrate me. I hate all their indirect messages... Do you like me or don't you? Just tell me so I can get over you." -Kirsten Dunst

This really is amazing. I can honestly relate, and the temptation really is always there, the want to fit in and be popular.

SyddieG GOLD said...
on Jan. 23 2011 at 7:00 pm
SyddieG GOLD, Chicago, Illinois
11 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"Just keep asking why. You'll have your answer when they can't answer any more."

I just find this beautiful. I can honestly relate (along with 5 billion other people). Trying to break out of your box is extremely hard and can be impossible. I myself (I know you don't want to hear about myself but I have nothing else to put here) am forced by myself to stifle a certain part of me. I'm doing better anyway but still. I can get an subscription to seventeen magazine but I can't tell my friends. Girl, you had more courage than I would have. I wouldn't have even tried the skirt on, no matter how much i wanted it. You gave it a chance but held yourself back.

This is just wonderful ♥


twin2 PLATINUM said...
on Jan. 23 2011 at 5:07 pm
twin2 PLATINUM, Houston, Texas
20 articles 0 photos 15 comments
This is beautiful. just the way you composed your words together flowed.. and all the honesty shined through this work... Amazing.

on Jan. 23 2011 at 9:00 am
Niya_Smilees GOLD, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
13 articles 0 photos 21 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Live in the moment because reality hurts."

That was really good , stay true to yourself :]

on Jan. 11 2011 at 9:36 pm
this was so familiar, I know that I will never feel right in a miniskirt and halter top, I feel comfortable in jean shorts and a tee shirt, it's just me. this story made me relize I don't have to be like everybody else, thanks, this story really helped.

on Jan. 1 2011 at 7:07 pm
claire126 SILVER, Holmdel, New Jersey
5 articles 0 photos 3 comments
this is such an honest piece. It was so real, it almost brought me to tears. I loved this

on Jan. 1 2011 at 6:14 pm
PoetLaureate07 PLATINUM, Aberdeen, Mississippi
32 articles 0 photos 246 comments

Favorite Quote:
To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing..

i like it.. a lot.. great way to describe urself and feelings... wonderful!

on Jan. 1 2011 at 2:44 pm
RainyWriter GOLD, Redmond, Washington
14 articles 0 photos 41 comments

Favorite Quote:
Only the smart, talented, amazing, and insane are remembered in history.

Very honest, and what I like is that it tells the reader you can hope to be someone, but you won't necessarily become that someone. Many girls think this, and in my opinion try too hard to be like the glitzy celebs on TV and stuff. Short and swee, I liked it!

on Jan. 1 2011 at 2:21 pm
OriginalCarbonation GOLD, Naperville, Illinois
11 articles 0 photos 102 comments

Favorite Quote:
dream as if you'll live forever
live as if you'll die tomorrow

yes exactly!

just figure out what is "you" and dont ever question it again. just go with it. then you are confident and beautiful and radiant. it all just adds up to make a really good thing :)


on Jan. 1 2011 at 2:09 pm
WynterPage95 ELITE, Monticello, Arkansas
164 articles 8 photos 76 comments

Favorite Quote:
"It's better to burn out than to fade away..." -Kurt Cobain

lol so sweet there!

on Jan. 1 2011 at 2:06 pm
WynterPage95 ELITE, Monticello, Arkansas
164 articles 8 photos 76 comments

Favorite Quote:
"It's better to burn out than to fade away..." -Kurt Cobain

I think alot of us have all beeb through the sam situation at some point in our lives...and it helps us to see that you don't have to be one of those girls with the bleach blonde hair and thick makeup with super short skirts and very revealing tops. You can be modest and be one of the most confident people in that high school. or anywhere else.

on Jan. 1 2011 at 1:59 pm
WynterPage95 ELITE, Monticello, Arkansas
164 articles 8 photos 76 comments

Favorite Quote:
"It's better to burn out than to fade away..." -Kurt Cobain

I think alot of girls have been through this same situation. it was just great. keep writing!!

on Jan. 1 2011 at 12:24 pm
Freedom_Cow BRONZE, Manhattan, Kansas
1 article 0 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If slaughterhouses had glass walls, we'd all be vegetarians." -- Paul McCartney
"I beseech thee to keep pure your highest ideals, strive ever towards them, let none stop ye or turn ye aside." -- The Charge of the Goddess

This is a great article that a lot of girls go though when growing up. Thanks for writing it.

on Jan. 1 2011 at 8:45 am
Great article, can't say I'm unfamiliar with that situation.

on Jan. 1 2011 at 1:29 am
Mohammed Hussain GOLD, New York City, New York
10 articles 0 photos 15 comments
I love it. Hey now, you may be a "girl with dorky glases and a ponytail", but you definitely know how to write. =)

Eheu... said...
on Jan. 1 2011 at 12:55 am
this has been me sooo many times....

Saika PLATINUM said...
on Dec. 31 2010 at 12:49 am
Saika PLATINUM, Durango, Colorado
21 articles 48 photos 34 comments

Favorite Quote:
Love and Tolerate every person, pony, and brony <3

wow! great! its amazing that you didnt fall into the trap of american lifestyle! HIGH FIVE! ~high fives you!~