Long Skirts - Give 'em the Slip

Women's fashion... Always interesting but not always pleasing. I've started to become a little more sensitive to fashion in Beijing because (I think) I see so much more. I also am forced to wonder sometimes how much of the fashion I'm seeing is China and how much is just current across the world. What's current is not interesting here and you can read about it anywhere. As for China, on the other hand, I've noticed a few things that are here year after year.
I vaguely remember some controversy in the early 80's regarding Princess Diana and some long dress that she wore without a slip (don't bother searching on Google for it, she apparently had lots of dresses and they were all in the news for one reason or another). A picture of her with the sun at her back revealed the full extent and shape of the legs underneath (horrors!).
In Beijing, I am continually surprised at the settings in which women will wear a dress without any other layers. To tell you the truth, it's very distracting. :) You'll see women walking by and not only can you tell their physical fitness levels through the dresses, you also are privy to the style of undergarments worn. Again, no complaints from me, I just think it's a public safety issue. I was recently at a wedding and I kept doing double-takes as the bridesmaids walked down the aisle. It's not even an exhibitionish/nightlife thing because it happens at any formal, business or just about any other event. It's not limited to the young and beautiful either (this, I object to).
So ... is it just me? Did I possibly not notice this change in fashion while I was in the United States (yeah, right)? Is it all of China, all of the Far East or just Beijing? Am I betraying my upbringing by even brining this up?