Paris may be the world’s fashion capital, but only few people know that it is technically worse than any other place in the world when it comes to lifestyle laws. Women, in particular, may have find a way to skirt the issue regarding one particular regulation.

UK’s Telegraph reported that a decree prohibiting Parisian women from wearing men’s clothes–trousers, in particular–is still active. The rule made it in Paris’ judicial books in 1800, as decreed by the police chief of the city. Some politicians attempted to repeal it in the past, but winning counter-arguments made it survive the past two centuries.

The decree states that any woman who dares to wear trousers should “present herself to Paris’s main police station to obtain authorization.” This was amended slightly in 1892, permitting women to wear the garment when they’re riding a horse. In 1909, this was further changed as bicycle riding became an essential means of transport.

When the world became highly concerned about gender equality in 1969, requests to eliminate the rule were made. However, the then-police chief denied granting the wish saying,  “It is unwise to change texts which foreseen or unforeseen variations in fashion can return to the fore.”

Another motion was made only after three decades, in 2003, when a UMP party member asked the minister on gender equality to remove the decree. The minister however argued that it is better to ignore the rule than lift it.

As he himself puts it, “Disuse is sometimes more efficient than [state] intervention in adapting the law to changing mores.”

Now here’s something funny. Law specialist Evelyne Pisier, in her book Le Droit des Femmes (The Rights of Women) says that if the law should be really enforced, then even law enforcers would be found guilty of violating it.

Why? Because part of a policewoman’s attire in Paris are trousers. (Jezriel M)

Source: Telegraph