Can anyone provide insight as to why the expected/appropriate style of dress for women has become one that is, errr....crotchless?

It seems strange to me that a garment that leaves the lower half of your body more exposed (obviously I’m talking about dresses and skirts) to a myriad of real and potential problems has been and (generally speaking) remains the cultural norm for women.

How did this style develop in the first place? Functionally speaking, is there any particular advantage to wearing a dress or skirt rather than a pair of pants? This open-crotch style leaves you more exposed to the elements, does it not? Ladies, how many times have your legs gotten wet during inclement weather? And what about those days that are unexpectedly windy, resulting in many a bare ass being exposed? I just don’t get it. How many women can say they’ve never had their skirt lifted up against their will, at least once? The only advantage I can think of is their ability to keep one cooler on hot days than a pair of trousers can. Could it be a patriarchal thing, perhaps? That the design came about because exposed legs are alluring to men, by virtue of their intrinsic attraction as well as the knowledge of what is under that (very conveniently) easily removable garment?

These are the things that boggle my mind at 3am.

Discuss.