Anne Slowey, fashion news director at Elle, told The New York Times that the dress will end its long reign at the end of August, and we should all wear trousers instead. This is a sad prediction, and rather unexpected. Retail analysts at NPD Group determined that from April 2006 to April 2007, there were more than $5 billion sales of dresses, 30 percent higher than the previous year. We wear them about four days out of every week and are not sure how our legs will react to being encased in fabric all day. Dresses are wonderful creations. Yes, they’re feminine and flattering, but they have other merits, as well. As Amelia says, “They’re drafty, and they make it easier to pee in public.” [NY Times]