Sports Where Women Still Wear Skirts: 2012 Olympic Female Boxers Aren't Alone

The recent controversy over whether or not female boxers will be required to compete in skirts at the 2012 Olympics in London got us thinking: Are sports skirts just another (possibly more comfortable) athletic wear option or an unpleasant reminder of outdated ideas about women and sports?

While female equestrians no longer have to ride side-saddle to accomodate long skirts and strict social mores, many women who play sports like tennis, field hockey, and -- in a suprising trend -- running, still turn to the skirt as part of their uniform, though skirts worn by today's female athletes are usually a lot shorter and easier to move in than those of our Victorian forebears.

We want to know: Are skirts a liberating, more comfortable alternative to other active wear? Or a remnant of unenlightened views on women's relationship to sports?

PHOTOS: Here are seven sports where women still can (or must) wear a skirt:

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Comments

[Deanna Dilley]

09:15 PM on 11/22/2011

I wear jeans to work every day. So why should I wear a skirt to run track, go bowling, or play soccer? My opinion is that the only sport skirts should be worn at is figure skating, whether it's on the ice or at a roller rink. I use to ice skate, and skating dresses were the only skirts/dresses I was ever truly interested in, though most were a little too snug. For what ended up being my final performance, the dress was custom made for a better fit. Other than that, no skirts or dresses for me, unless it's for a wedding.

[skordi]

01:24 PM on 11/22/2011

Roller derby! Although it isn't a professional sport (yet), it is the fastest growing female sport in America and has gained enormous amounts of respect in many communities.

[Max Vohra]

12:01 AM on 11/10/2011

"Are skirts a liberating, more comfortable alternative to other active wear"--How can just skirts be more comfy than pants? All the "skirts" these athletes wear are just symbolic statements, they aren't real skirts and are worn over shorts. I don't have a problem with athletes (male or female) wearing skirts as long as they choose to do it and is not required. Also, the skirt trend just might contribute to even more gender segregation in sports (different genders, different outfits).
On a side note, skirts over shorts are quite handy in everyday life when you want to cover up. I remember girls wore shorts underneath skirts for school sports when I was little, they were called "safety pants."

[sniperella]

09:51 PM on 11/09/2011

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laderbydolls/6278768617/in/photostream

Roller Derby. No requirement for skirt. Choice.

[kathismom]

10:41 AM on 11/09/2011

I love wearing, I call them "skorts" when playing tennis, walking the dog, lifting weights, etc. I don't love paying $70 for them. Those are high end prices.
They cover up my booty & when lifting I don't have to worry about anything showing.
Tennis - where you get to wear short, flippy, skirts & look cute!

[Dede Eagleburger]

10:16 AM on 11/09/2011

skirts are great, and they make so many cute sport skirts you can choose from, they're comfortable too...I wear skirts to work most days anyway, so why would it be any different for sports?

[TeriA1]

10:53 AM on 11/17/2011

True, but why would world class athletes need to feel cute?

[Dede Eagleburger]

11:10 AM on 11/17/2011

why can't anyone wear something cute?

[GaryNOVA]

01:39 AM on 11/09/2011

Tony Romo should be wearing a skirt.

[signgrrl]

08:41 AM on 11/09/2011

true, but a whole 'nother topic.

[gevan]

09:40 PM on 11/08/2011

Wrestling would have been a nice Olympic womens' sport.

[Nina Buckler Eckhoff]

07:13 PM on 11/08/2011

Well, thank God we don't have to wear 'em when we're horseback riding...

[fastinistagirl]

04:33 PM on 11/08/2011

I love running in skirts, they are so much more comfortable and flattering than shorts. Plus they come in so many cute styles. check out this link to see some of the great styles out there. http://www.threeactive.com/Running_Skirts_s/231.htm

[Max Vohra]

12:03 AM on 11/10/2011

How can you run in a skirt, you'll just flash all the passers by. LOL.

[EStreetShuffler]

03:07 PM on 11/08/2011

I guess we're used to skirts in tennis and golf, but the idea that boxers should wear skirts to promote their femininity is pretty funny.

"Honey, can you pick up some Shout stain remover on your way home from work. I got some blood on my boxing skirt."
"Again? We just had it dry cleaned."
"I know, I know. But I just fought Tiffany 'The Bleeder' Monroe and you know how easily those cuts open up above her eyes..."
"Okay. You didn't break a nail, too, did you?"

[TeriA1]

10:55 AM on 11/17/2011

Well done, hilarious! Tiffany the bleeder...lol! Female boxers have shirts and that sets them apart from the men...among other things. I like the traditional tennis/golf skirts too.

[arwood1138]

02:42 PM on 11/08/2011

I have nothing against a woman who prefers pants instead of a skirt but women do look better in skirts in my opinion.

[ApprxAm]

12:59 PM on 11/08/2011

?

[CaptMike65]

12:51 PM on 11/08/2011

Skirts are good. Specially those Catholic schoolgirl skirts. Thats the one thing Catholics got right.

[gevan]

09:41 PM on 11/08/2011

Always appropriate for field hockey.

[StevenM]

12:49 PM on 11/08/2011

You left out chess!