lost in translation

Today, I present to you a very serious, urgent issue.

Why?

At first glance, you'd think this type of outfit is a shirt tucked into a skirt. Then you look a little closer and you notice the shirt and the skirt appear to be moving at precisely the same time when the chick who is wearing it walks, and you start to wonder. Is that possible? What exactly is going on there? Then it hits you.

OH! It's a dress that looks like it's a shirt tucked into a skirt. But why? Do people not have the energy to put on, dare I say it, two articles of clothing anymore? Is this another America-Getting-Fat-And-Lazy thing?

Here's another important issue.

The skirt with the elastic band on it. What's the deal, here? Is it supposed to be a substitute for a belt? I feel that both these skirts would have been just lovely before the elastic band was slapped onto them. Quite honestly, it flat-out ruins both of 'em.

What is the purpose of the mock shirt-skirt dress and mock belt skirt? And most importantly, why does it appear that every female, ages 10 through 30, have one?

First set of photos from Nordstrom. Second from Forever 21.