Shabbiness or impropriety...

(As if to prove Miss Austen's point.)

To my fellow weaker vessels:

Now it is indeed lovely that we're having some decent weather, and that longish skirts are in fashion. But ladies, ladies, did nobody else's mother point out that if one is wearing a thin cotton skirt, especially a white one, on a sunny day, one really ought to wear a petticoat? I can see that you all have better legs than me, but do you want me to be able to see it quite so clearly?

(While we're at it, the annual appeal to the other half of humanity: chaps, please note that sun is not an adequate reason for chest-baring. I appreciate the need to maximise Vitamin D production in this climate, but really. Just wear a shirt. Thank you.)