Rosa Meriläinen, who served as a Green League MP from 2003 to 2007, opens up in Yle's new documentary series "Hated Women" about her choice to buy a controversial mini skirt during her time in parliament. In the documentary's first episode, she describes feeling out of place among her peers, which led her to seek out more appropriate attire that would convey a sense of professionalism. Despite finding the skirt practical, she humorously refers to herself at that time as a 'walking flea market.'

Meriläinen recounts how she sought assistance from fellow parliament member Anni Sinnemäki in her quest for "adult clothing" to better fit into the parliamentary environment. Together, they explored upscale shops in Helsinki, ultimately finding a Burberry mini skirt that Meriläinen hoped would help her appear more respectable while representing her constituents. However, her sartorial choice sparked criticism from some male colleagues, who anonymously condemned the skirt's shortness and deemed it inappropriate for a political figure.

In her blog, Meriläinen affectionately dubbed the skirt as 'roiskeläppä,' marking her unconventional approach to discussing her experience as a female politician. The backlash she received underscores ongoing debates about professionalism and women’s attire in politics, illustrating the challenges women face in being accepted in professional and political environments, particularly when it comes to balancing personal expression with societal expectations.