What would you like to see in a man's dress?

[JohnH]

In the topic Sitting in short skirts I mentioned the Ellos dress that I wear. Several of you mentioned that you would like a garment that hangs from the shoulders and is maxi-length. The skirt is full so it does not inhibit walking or running.

However, some mentioned that the upper bodice and the waist are designed for the female figure. I did point out the "cups" in the bodice are shallow which accommodate my not-totally flat chest. The waist stretches to accommodate my gut. As a whole the dress fits me comfortably. It would look much better if the waist did not have to stretch nearly as far!

So, I would like to get your ideas of what that ideal man's dress would be.

Below is the Ellos dress that I have:

Ellos_Dress.jpg

[RichardA]

Q. What would you like to see in a man's dress?
A. A Man

[JohnH]

Q. What would you like to see in a man's dress?
A. A Man

Good comeback.

Maybe the bottom part of the maxi-dress is OK. Move the elastic waist down to where a man's waist is. Instead of the halter and strap arrangement perhaps have more of a shirt arrangement with a V neck.

I'd like to hear from you'all.

[cessna152towser]

I don't believe men should ever wear dresses. Men and women are a different shape and a dress or tunic would not flatter the male figure. Also it would ride up when the wearer bends over or reaches up. Skirts are fine with conventional male topwear.

[JohnH]

I don't believe men should ever wear dresses. Men and women are a different shape and a dress or tunic would not flatter the male figure. Also it would ride up when the wearer bends over or reaches up. Skirts are fine with conventional male topwear.

I'm curious - have you ever worn a dress? I don't have any problems of the dress riding up. As far as the appearance, the dress has a slimming effect.

[crfriend]

Maybe the bottom part of the maxi-dress is OK. Move the elastic waist down to where a man's waist is. Instead of the halter and strap arrangement perhaps have more of a shirt arrangement with a V neck.

I believe you've hit the nail on the head there, and it's the main bugaboo when trying to work out a dress shape for the male physique. From the waist down, men and women are mainly alike enough that one can skate by by directly appropriating the other's style; however, from the waist up, it's a whole 'nother ball-game.

From experiements here, the T-shirt style of dress seems to work reasonably well, and I have a feeling that a well-tailored shirt-dress could work well on the typical male physique. Where the notion breaks down is when we try to borrow styles that feature spaghetti-straps or halters and generally have a fairly large reveal of skin; this is culturally accepted for women, but much less so for men as evidenced by rules like "No tank tops" for guys that one sees in some restaurants in these parts.

Perhaps if I ever get the time to really get good enough at sewing to attempt a shirt, I'll try for a shirtdress by adding length and flare below the waistline. I have a short T-shirt dress (a failed experiment of Sapphire's that didn't work for her, but did for me), but it's too much of a casual look for me to go anywhere than around the house and yard.

I don't believe men should ever wear dresses. Men and women are a different shape and a dress or tunic would not flatter the male figure. Also it would ride up when the wearer bends over or reaches up. Skirts are fine with conventional male topwear.

My take on this is that it depends heavily on the body type of the guy in question. Some guys will likely be able to pull it off and some won't. Interestingly, the same applies to women -- dresses work delightfully on some and not so well on others. As far as the action of the garment when reaching or bending, it'll behave precisely the way one would expect: if lifting something, squat instead of bend (it's better for the back, too), and if reaching take that into account when purchasing so you get a workable length. Every time I reach for anything, my shirt always comes untucked and makes a mess, but that happens to me in trousers as well.

[Stu]

I have reservations about dresses for men. They might work for boys and very young men, but not for men over about 20 years, IMO.

Designers might come up with something suitably masculine as perhaps a shirt dress style, or something Arabic looking, but it would need to be very different from anything a woman would wear. I'll keep an open mind, but I'm not entirely convinced this idea will fly.

Stu

[JohnH]

Around in these parts (Dallas, Texas USA) it is quite a push go even go out in skirts, even for women. One time I complimented a young woman wearing a skirt while I was wearing the same, and she was really embarrassed. Once that barrier has been breeched it is no big deal to go onto a dress.

People have different body types of course. That Ellos maxi-dress fits perfectly on me, but there is no way my wife could wear something like that. For myself I would not want to change anything on that dress. I do not have hair on my chest so the skin exposed is acceptable.

[JohnH]

Designers might come up with something suitably masculine as perhaps a shirt dress style, or something Arabic looking, but it would need to be very different from anything a woman would wear.
Stu

What makes you think that women would not appropriate the new garment type for their own use? Look at what they have done to pants.

[ethelthefrog]

I'm personally happy to leave dresses for others to wear. I remain to be convinced that I have the figure to carry off the look. I would be interested to see it, though. If someone makes a dress that looks great on me, I'd be entirely happy to wear it. I simply am unable to imagine what the garment would look like. My top half is very definitely not woman-shape, so it would have to be designed appropriately.

My pen'orth.

EtF.

[jazbell]

There are some nice fitting dresses. Of course fit is dependent on the individual. These are from Metrostyle.

[cessna152towser]

I'm curious - have you ever worn a dress?

No, and I wouldn't want to.

[gael4ce]

definatly ,dang my spelling-a shirtdress,as I have a couple of ladies sleep shirtsand after I shorten one,and take in the waist and hips I might wear it outside for a trial. I also really like the last posters blue dress-Gael

[JohnH]

I don't believe men should ever wear dresses. Men and women are a different shape and a dress or tunic would not flatter the male figure. Also it would ride up when the wearer bends over or reaches up. Skirts are fine with conventional male topwear.

I'm curious - have you ever worn a dress?

No, and I wouldn't want to.

I'm glad you are being honest. Your first statement somehow lacks validity given that you have never worn a dress. My body shape fits a dress much better than my wife's. She does not wear skirts or dresses, only pants and shorts.

At least you are open enough to try skirts and kilts. That's much better than most males who are pants-bound

[JohnH]

There are some nice fitting dresses. Of course fit is dependent on the individual. These are from Metrostyle.

Thanks for the contribution.