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It was a sexist joke, and not very funny at that.

During his recent “Saturday Night Live” monologue, comedian Shane Gillis observed that women working out in gyms these days dress like “w—.” And then, proving his powerlessness in the face of so much Lycra, he added, “There’s no other way to describe it.”

Well, Shane, it’s just not that comfortable to do squats in street clothes.

Still, I thought the backlash against Gillis was a bit over the top. I’ve made similarly tasteless observations about how some of the kids at our local high school dress. A lot of them look like they’re ready for a night out at the club instead of a day in the classroom.

If you’ve ever driven past, let’s say, Venice High School, as I do multiple times a day, you might be surprised to see how many girls are skimpily dressed. Yes, of course, many students wear the ubiquitous floor-dragging baggy jeans and oversized hoodies. And yes, the school does have a dress code. Unfortunately, it is entirely notional, just like the school’s much-touted smartphone ban.

No one wants to live in a world where women and girls are constantly being told that their clothing choices constitute a form of distraction to men. Or an invitation of some sort. But to be honest, I have been shocked by how many teen girls arrive at school these days in cleavage-spilling tank tops, bare stretches of midriff and shorts that look more like bathing suit bottoms than actual pants.

Here, for example, is a typical school-day conversation........

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