The Fashion of Economics|时尚经济

by Rebecca A. Fratzke

As the world's economy changes, fashion trends reflect whether it's getting better or worse.

For years, people have been watching how the hemlines of women's skirts and dresses rise and fall. This is not because they are interested in fashion or an attractive pair of legs. It actually has to do with a country's economic standing. _(1)_ This means the shorter the skirt, the better the economy.

This belief, known as the hemline theory, was taken seriously for many years beginning in the 1920s. One reason it held true was that when times were good, fabric producers charged more for their materials, causing designers to cut costs by raising hems. _(2)_

However, times have changed. With so many different styles of dresses and skirts available, it is next to impossible to rely on the hemline theory anymore. _(3)_ It just means there's a new theory that rings true, and it's called the basics theory. _(4)_ When times are good, people spend more money and take more risks with their wardrobe. If a new fashion trend becomes popular and sticks, it shows that people are in a good position to dish out some extra money on a daring new outfit. _(5)_

(A) Another reason was that during that time, when real silk stockings were worn, women wanted to show off when they could afford them and cover up when they couldn't.

(B) Many news organizations have reported that people can tell whether the economy is doing well or not by the length of women's hemlines.

(C) Although the theories have changed, miniskirts still seem to indicate that the economy is sitting pretty, as are the women wearing them.

(D) Yet, this does not mean fashion and economics are no longer connected.

(E) Now, when times are rough, people are generally only willing to buy basic pieces to replace the worn out ones in their wardrobe.

时尚经济

随着世界经济产生变化，时尚潮流反映出经济是否变好或变坏。

多年来，人们一直在注意妇女裙子和洋装裙襬的起落。这并不是因为他们对时尚或一双吸引人的腿感兴趣。这实际上与国家的经济地位有关。许多新闻机构报导，大家可以从妇女裙襬长度判断目前经济景况是好还是坏。意思就是，裙子越短，经济越好。

这种看法被称为『裙襬理论』，在 1920 年代初期开始受到重视且行之多年。该理论之所以有道理其中一个原因就是，当时局好时，布料商会收较多材料费，促使设计师提高裙襬高度来削减成本。另一个原因是因为当时女性穿的是真正的丝袜，她们会想要在能买得起丝袜时多加炫耀，买不起时就把腿遮起来。

然而，时代已经改变。现在能买到那么多不同风格的洋装和裙子，我们要倚赖裙襬理论几乎是不可能的了。然而，这并不意味时尚和经济不再有关联。这只是意味着有一种新理论听起来也很有道理，这个理论被称为『基本需求理论』。现在时局很艰困时，大家一般只愿意购买基本款式的衣物来取代衣柜里破旧的衣物。景况好的时候，大家会多花钱冒更大的风险添购衣柜里的衣物。如果新时尚风潮变得受欢迎且持续下去，这显示大家景况还不错，能额外多花一些钱购买风格大胆的整套新衣物。虽然这些理论已经改变，迷你裙似乎仍然表明着经济景况不错，那些穿迷你裙的女士坐着时也很漂亮。

答案：    B   A   D   E   C