
Skorts issue is about policing women. The fuss around Kim Kardashian's courtroom garb is not
Kilkenny
and
Dublin
camogie teams.
But the context,
as Denis Walsh notes
, is that the person in the middle wearing shorts is telling two other people in shorts that they must not wear shorts. Can the shorts-wearing male count the precious playing days lost to his elders droning on about whether his shorts were sufficiently masculine to meet the
GAA's
famously scrupulous moral standards? Zero. But the man was only doing his job here, enforcing rules dictated by the overwhelmingly female-dominated
Camogie Association
.
At this the eye instinctively does precisely what it shouldn't: it zeros in on the women's shorts. Are they doing peculiarly suggestive things with those shorts? Are those 'short shorts'? Not even nearly. They're normal players in normal togs like the ones
Paul Mescal
wore in Normal People
, wearing minimal make-up (if any, unlike Paul), hair mussily tied back, jerseys hanging out, sticks to hand, helmets alongside ready for serious action. Then those serious women had to leave and change into
'skorts' for permission to play
.
The topic hasn't been worth even five seconds of the tedious hours devoted to it. The spectacle of politicians wailing about the tragic skort imposition on their preadolescent daughters, yet strangely disinclined to wade into the less sexy but massively more important subject of integration with the GAA and the LGFA – which has been haunting the Camogie Association's agenda since Methuselah – is particularly headmelting for many such serious women.
READ MORE
Skorts are a distraction. Most women just want a choice. Like so many 'big' debates relating to women, that's all it comes down to. Choice. It was the contrast between the camogie women and Instagram mega-influencer
Kim Kardashian
making her deeply silly progress through Paris last week that made the 'skorts' row all the more frustrating.
Kardashian, now 44, was the victim of a terrifying 2016 Paris hotel jewel heist by a gang dubbed 'the grandpa robbers' who left her fearing for her life. So naturally her response was to show up for the criminal trial dripping in conspicuous wealth and an outfit resembling something a six-year-old would dream up for Barrister Barbie.
It included a showstopping $3 million necklace incorporating 80 diamonds, sparkly earrings, a plunging black Galliano blazer with a long black skirt slit up the back and stiletto heels that obliged her to negotiate the streets and steps with a slow hip-wiggle.
But choice is choice and Kardashian's ensemble can be interpreted 'simultaneously as a nod to traditional courtroom attire, a reminder of feminine vulnerability in its wasp waist and skirt rather than trousers, and a reclamation of power through its broad shoulders', as Prof Susan Scafidi, a pioneer in fashion law, told Women's Wear Daily.
Sure, professor. And the role of the diamonds? 'The diamonds are a reminder of the stolen jewellery and of her wealth and celebrity.'
Mmm. But why? Why would anyone in that courtroom – least of all her attackers – need an in-your-face reminder of anyone's wealth and celebrity?
Kim Kardashian's decision to turn a solemn court appearance into a blingy costume drama was less an admirable 'reclamation of power' than a bald attention play for the paparazzi gaze. Photograph: EPA-European Pressphoto Agency
The language and interpretation of clothes has always attracted bloviators and poseurs and many people – including this one – would normally defend the whole package as a gift to the gaiety of nations.
But when Kardashian's stylist, Simone Harouche, took issue with the trial judge asking if Kardashian had put herself in danger by publishing images of herself online, it took it in another direction. 'Just because a woman wears jewellery, that doesn't make her a target. That's like saying that because a woman wears a short skirt, she deserves to be raped,' said Harouche.
No, it's not at all like saying that. There is a fundamental difference between a woman coming under threat because she's wearing a short skirt (or skort or shorts) and one who routinely flashes her multimillion dollar bling on- and offline. One is a very specifically gendered threat. The second is not. One high-end French watchmaker for example warns that wearing a luxury timepiece requires greater awareness against targeted attacks or pickpocketing in larger cities such as Paris, a point that clearly holds true for both men and women. And it hardly needs repeating that
Giséle Pelicot
– for example – was not wearing a short skirt when she was drugged and raped repeatedly.
Clarity is important because clothing choices have suddenly re-emerged as a hot issue in recent months. Kardashian's decision to turn a solemn court appearance into a blingy costume drama was less an admirable 'reclamation of power' than a bald attention play for the paparazzi gaze.
The same applies to the ongoing debate about so-called nearly-nude or naked dressing among celebrities and stars at industry events. Nude bodystockings, transparent mesh and cobweb-like fabric posing as designer (non) garments have been having a moment but the irony is that it looks like anything but fun. Instagram comments about Bianca Censori's (Kanye West's partner) Paris promenade wearing a cropped jacket with sheer pantyhose were more of a yawn than a wow. The truth is that those revealing 'outfits' look strangely neutered and try-hard, like plastic Barbie.
The organisers of the
Cannes film festival
obviously don't know where to look and have banned naked dressing for 'decency reasons' from the red carpet. But high fashion has handed down its verdict. 'Enough with the boobs,' said the New York Times's Vanessa Friedman after a St Laurent show. Like discouraging a toddler's curse words or people who insist on skorts, the best approach may be to ignore it.
For pity's sake, Camogie Association, spend tomorrow's 'emergency special congress' focusing on the truly urgent and important stuff on which your lifeblood depends. Skorts will not feature in your legacy. Let it go.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Daily Mirror
9 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sharlene Mawdsley responds to viral street sprint video after All-Ireland win
Sharlene Mawdsley has joked that she is happy to return to the track after racing on the streets of Thurles while enjoying the All-Ireland Hurling celebrations. Mawdsley's partner, Michael Breen, was part of the Tipperary team that beat Cork in Sunday's All-Ireland final, and the Irish Olympian enjoyed the celebrations with the panel and their friends. And as the celebrations rolled on, a video circulated of sprinter Mawdsley racing on the streets of Thurles where she won comfortably, despite giving her competitor a head start. After a couple of days of well-deserved celebrations, Mawdsley shared a snap back on the track and poked fun at herself, saying: "Swapping the streets of Thurles for the track today" Sharlene appeared on stage with her partner, Tipperary defender Mikey Breen, and the pair were captured in a lovely photograph showing the two of them holding the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Tipperary player Michael Breen celebrates with his partner, Olympic athlete Sharlene Mawdsley (Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy) Mawdsley and Breen have formed something of a sporting power couple in recent times, with the sprinter going 'Instagram official' with the Tipp defender at the beginning of the Summer. Mawdsley took to Instagram in the wake of Tipp's win, sharing a photo of herself with Breen on the Croke Park pitch along with the caption: "Proud of you every day, but that little bit prouder today." For Breen, it is his third All-Ireland title win, and has been a mainstay for the Premier County throughout his intercounty career. For the latest headlines and top stories from the Irish Mirror, visit our homepage


Irish Examiner
39 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
GAA apologise to Kilkenny for scoreboard error in All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tipperary
Kilkenny have received an apology from the GAA for the scoreboard error in the closing stages of their All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tipperary earlier this month. Various stakeholders in the county have been informed of the correspondence from Croke Park, which expresses regret for the mistake that impacted the conclusion of the game that Tipperary won by two points. Kilkenny and Tipperary were of the understanding that the latter were four points ahead after Noel McGrath's 70th minute point attempt. The shot was waved wide but the scoreboard counted it as a point. Following a Jordan Molloy point in the second minute of additional time, Kilkenny went in search of what they thought was a required goal to force extra-time when they were in fact only two points behind. Kilkenny, it is understood, wrote to Croke Park seeking clarification about the matter although a replay was never in question. The county's officials have refused to comment publicly on the matter and Tipperary manager Liam Cahill complimented the county's dignified stance. 'Like ourselves, if Kilkenny don't win it on the field, they ain't going to bring it to the boardroom, that's for sure.' On the evening of the game, the GAA released a statement acknowledging the error. "The GAA can confirm that the official score at the end of the Tipperary v Kilkenny GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final was 4-20 to 0-30. 'The GAA acknowledges there was confusion over the final score. The CCCC (Central Competitions Control Committee) is awaiting the full referee's report in order to establish how the initial mistake occurred." Speaking last week, the GAA's national match officials manager Donal Smyth said the error was down to a combination of factors. "It was a mixture of stuff. The time of the game probably didn't help. So at 69 minutes we had a Kilkenny sub, at 70 minutes the ball went wide, we had a Tipperary sub at the same time. "We didn't notice the scoreboard had changed in relation to that (McGrath's wide). Then the difficulty is we didn't get a break in play to stop the game to check the thing. "We've changed our processes last week and our protocols around that, so it's something we just have to work on." In the aftermath of the game, former GAA president Nickey Brennan said his native Kilkenny as well as Tipperary were due an apology. This past weekend, Kilkenny great Henry Shefflin spoke on The Sunday Game about how 'baffling' the communication was around the controversy. He added: "There hasn't been much noise about it and it seems it's just moved on'.


Irish Independent
41 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Irish women's basketball team consider ‘next steps' after being drawn against Israel once again in Euros qualifiers
Basketball Ireland said it was 'extremely alarmed by the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza' after the draw as the IDF's blockade and on-going military offensive continues in the Palestinian territory. Ireland are due to begin their European campaign against Luxembourg on November 12 at home before also facing Bosnia and Herzegovina (November 15) in Dublin and Israel away (November 18). However they may reluctant to play the Israelis again, given the Irish women's team found themselves in the middle of a diplomatic storm last year when they faced them in the previous European qualifying campaign. 'Basketball Ireland have spoken to FIBA Europe subsequently and are awaiting clarifications on a number of matters,' the governing body said in a statement this evening. 'Basketball Ireland will also be liaising with players, coaching staff, Sport Ireland, the Government, and other stakeholders over the coming days and we will provide an update next week.' While Ireland fulfilled last year's games citing fines and expulsion from competition, the worsening conditions in Gaza may change things with the World Health Organisation warning of famine conditions there.