When we go out into the city, we often see dresses being worn which stretch all the way up to the ankle. This is the "makishi-dake one piece [maximum length dress]" which is currently popular amongst women. It is a trend seen not only in Japan but also among women all over the world. Especially after it came out on the big screen by those four famous women in SATC2, its popularity continues to grow. Seen all over town, the variety in the patterns of the dresses are simply stunning! At one moment you see a plain one; just turn your eyes and are those with exotic plant patterns, geometric shaped prints giving it a modern taste, resort-like flower prints from big to small…

When worn by a young girl, its long length creates a sophisticated look. For girls in their teens and in their 20s who want to look a bit older, this is just the thing for them! Yet, this dress is not just for the young. Women in their 30s and older are also head over heels for it. It is because, to them, it is a great protection against the sun and keeps them from getting a tan. What's more, they can hide their aging body! How wonderful is that? Just a few years ago, they were struggling to fit into their miniskirts. Now, with this new trend, women can look trendy while hiding their flaws.

Sweet as it seems, I would like for you to realize that there is a catch to it. Once young women begin wearing flaw-hiding clothes, they tend to loosen up in their self consciousness. It makes it difficult for them to maintain their slim body.

There is another fashion item that brought us a similar effect; the low rise jeans. These pants which holds low below the waist makes the hips look smaller. That's not all; they make the waistline look thinner! Of course, it soon became a big hit. But here is the negative side to it. The original pants came all the way up to around where the stomach is, so overeating caused it to feel tight and uncomfortable. The low rise, on the other hand, only goes up below the stomach. Therefore, more freedom for the stomach! The person wearing it can eat all they want without getting suffocated! The result was an increase in the number of young people who are "slim but has a pot belly."

And I, the writer, own a bunch of these long dresses and low rise jeans, too. They're cute and make my body look nicer. But for that same reason, I have to be careful not to slack off. I should wear miniskirts and shorts at least once in a while.