British female boxer's campaign attracts huge response against wearing skirts in ring
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A campaign against the idea that women should wear short skirts in the boxing ring has attracted over 50,000 signatures.
For the first time, women will compete to win Olympic medals for boxing in the flyweight, lightweight and middleweight categories as part of this year's London 2012 Olympic games.
Last year the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) made the suggestion that female boxers should wear skirts in order to look 'elegant' in the ring.
Elizabeth Plank, who created the petition, said: "What is it about the strength of women that still shocks us? What is so intolerable about a woman in control of her abilities that makes an organization like the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) want to confine her to a mini-skirt?"
"This petition is not about a piece of fabric, it's about athletes. It's not about their clothing, it's about their credibility."
"If there's one lesson I've learned through my experience as a boxer, it's that when someone throws a punch, curling up in the fetal position is not an option. You stand up and you fight."
She added that if the petition gained plenty of support it would "show the AIBA we're not willing to throw in the towel before we've won the fight!"
The AIBA is due to make a decision today on whether to recommend that female boxers wear skirts in the ring.
Do you think female boxers should wear what they choose or have to wear skirts? Let us know below...
And check out our gallery of dresses for your body shape.
- Wrap dress - Apple<p> A wrap dress is ideal for the apple shape (characterised by a bigger bust, rounded tummy and slimmer hips), because it emphasises the bust and diverts attention away from trouble spots. Gok for TU’s version has added figure-enhancers, like a body-sculpting slip to keep everything in place, a flattering V-neck (perfect for flaunting your assets) and hidden shoulder pads to help balance out your mid-section.</p> <p> </p> <p> Ultimate wrap dress, £40, Gok for TU at <a href="http://www.sainsburys-tu-clothing.co.uk/?SRC=HP&POD=HPC1&ID=061011" target="_blank">Sainsbury’s</a></p>
- Printed tea dress - Athletic<p> Flouncy sleeves, an adorable bird print and an accentuated waistline on this ditsy 40s-style tea dress help soften an athletic frame and add curves to your shape.</p> <p> Bird print dress, £49, South at <a href="http://www.littlewoods.com/" target="_blank">Littlewoods</a></p> <p> <br /> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=807" target="_blank"> - Shop for dresses</a></p>
- V-neck dress - Big bust<p> Every wardrobe needs a classic LBD, and this sculpted version from Cos is particularly flattering to those with ample busts. The origami-style cap sleeves draw attention upwards and soften the shoulder line, making it a good choice for a variety of body shapes.</p> <p> Folded V-neck dress, £89, <a href="http://www.cosstores.com/" target="_blank">Cos</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=807" target="_blank"> - Shop for more dresses</a></p>
- Retro prom dress - Hourglass<p> Hourglass silhouettes should flaunt their curves and tiny waists, which look especially good in retro styles. This prom dress by Taylor Dresses is an ultra-flattering choice which mimics your body’s natural curves and accentuates your legs and small waistline. Added bonus: It’s the perfect holiday party frock.</p> <p> Satin dress with tulle underlay and bow belt, £141.50, Taylor Dresses at <a href="http://www.qvcuk.com/" target="_blank">QVC</a></p> <p> <br /> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=807" target="_blank"> - Shop for dresses</a></p>
- Embellished - Slender<p> Slim body shapes look especially good in clothes with curve-adding properties - think embellishments like pleats and ruffles. The delicate scalloped detail on the shoulders, bust, waist and hemline of this Mulberry dress adds definition to slim frames and is an ideal work-to-weekend staple.</p> <p> Kilty dress, £795, <a href="http://www.mulberry.com/" target="_blank">Mulberry</a></p> <p> <br /> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=807" target="_blank"> - Shop for dresses</a></p>
- Frilly dress - Small bust<p> Create the illusion of curves by opting for a dress with a ruffled bodice, which draws the eye line upwards and makes smaller busts look more ample. The pleated skirt and sash belt detail make this day-to-night frock a great curve-adding option for petite, slender and boyish shapes. Also try a cowl neck for another good chest-boosting option.</p> <p> Origami pleat dress, £39, <a href="http://www.tfnclondon.com/" target="_blank">TFNC London</a></p> <p> </p>
- Colour-block dress - Tall<p> A different coloured top and bottom half make this two-tone dress ideal for taller women since the contrasting hues break up long lines. The V-neck wrap detail is also flattering for bigger busts, and the fitted black skirt creates a slimming line down the hips. Perfect for work to weekend.</p> <p> </p> <p> Antonio dress, £200, Mary Portas at <a href="http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-hof-Site/default/Home-Show" target="_blank">House of Fraser</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=807" target="_blank"> - Shop for dresses</a></p>
- Draped dress - Inverted triangle<p> Top heavy (inverted triangle) body shapes, with broader shoulders and smaller hips, will look great in this drape neck dress, which softens the shoulder line (the cowl neck also creates the illusion of a bigger bust for the less well-endowed). The sexy racer-back design gives the impression of a narrower torso, draping on the skirt helps balance out your lower half and the belt highlights a small waist. Empire line dresses and frocks with pleated skirts also help balance out top-heavy silhouettes.</p> <p> Drape neck belted back dress, £330, Helmut Lang at <a href="http://www.my-wardrobe.com/" target="_blank">My Wardrobe</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=807" target="_blank"> - Shop for dresses</a></p>
- Skater shift dress - Petite<p> Petite shapes (short and small) look best in single block colours which help to elongate the silhouette (especially if you team the look with footwear in the same shade). For a modern (and fashion-forward) take on the classic shift, opt for a skater dress like this version from M&S, with seam detail on the bodice to emphasise your upper body and pleat detail on the skirt to draw attention to your legs.</p> <p> Cap sleeve panelled shift dress, £149, Per Una Designer Speziale from Marks and Spencer at <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=807" target="_blank">AOL Shopping</a></p> <p> </p>
- Belted dress - Pear shape<p> Pear shapes have narrower top halves and bigger hips, bums and tums, so work a silhouette that draws attention to your narrow waist, like this belted A-line dress by Roksanda Ilincic Edition at Debenhams. The structured shoulders and bell sleeves help balance out narrower upper bodies and keep hips looking in proportion, while the pleat detail on the bodice and mid-section subtly draws attention upwards, away from bigger hips and thighs. Wrap dresses and halterneck styles are also flattering options for your shape.</p> <p> </p> <p> Purple satin cowl neck evening dress, £78, Roksanda Ilincic/Edition at <a href="http://www.debenhams.com/" target="_blank">Debenhams</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=807" target="_blank"> - Shop for dresses</a></p>
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