Kilt Suggestions Please

[poszest16]

I am new comer to the idea of men wearing skirts and I bought a skirt from my local clothing store on the womens clearance rack, It is made of a cotton and polyester blend at about 26 inches long for only $11. I have been wearing it on and off in the privacy of my room for the last several days and have decided I love the freeing feel. When I asked my parents for permission to wear it around the house they freaked at the idea (Regardless that I have worn Kimonos for sometime now.) and decided I could only wear skirts that are officially sold as kilts or were designed for men. My parents main reason for disliking me wearing skirts is public embarrassment regardless of my desire to only wear it at home. Unforchantly after some shopping online, I found that a good quality kilt can run quite expensive and is usually made of wool (Which I dislike wool). I am looking for suggestions of websites (individual items preferred) where I can buy a kilt or skirt that is designed for men. Regardless if it is a kilt or mens skirt I would like to be under $30 and is as close to a feminine skirt as possible while still being masculine. The images I attached below are of skirts or kilts I like because of style. Thank you in advance for any help.

- Joel Greene


I really like the colors of the kilt.


I know these are Japanese School Girls but I like the skirt patterns.

[owen]

First, welcome to Skirt Café! Your story is familiar, that's how a lot of us started wearing skirts, and we haven't looked back since! If you're looking for a kilt (which I and others here find really a bit heavy for normal wear), I can recommend the Casual Kilt from the Scotland Kilt Company in the UK ( http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk ). For skirts, Ebay is a great source, and since prices can be very cheap, you can afford to try loads of styles and throw away the ones you don't like. Hope to hear about your experiences!

[poszest16]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not really interested in buying a kilt. I am only looking at it because of my parents home rules. So either I would like to find a kilt that is the least like a real kilt or a skirt that sold for men in mens sizes. I do live in the United States of America so anything more local would be nice. I will definitely take a look at eBay. Any other suggestions?

[Uncle Al]

Hi Joel and

You might consider www.stillwaterkilts.com or Sportkilts, etc.
They have a 'starter' range of kilts, usually under $50.00 and are
located in the U.S. of A.

This will solve 2 of 3 problems for you. 1st is acceptance by your
family and 2nd is getting you 'out-n-about' in a 'skirted' garment.
The 3rd problem, keeping the price at $30.00 or less will be very
difficult. Ebay will be your best source for finding 'starter' kilts.

Best wishes

Uncle Al

[poszest16]

Would anybody know where I could buy Skirts made for men or the contemporary kilt that Wikipedia refers to? One reason I'm not so keen on the traditional kilt idea is because I'm not much fan for wool cloth and My primary desire is to wear the skirt like lounge wear. Thanks.

[Uncle Al]

My suggestion about Stillwater Kilts is they use a poly-viscose
material that is wash-n-wear. No Wool

Many of the others, Sport Kilt, Frugal Corner, etc use a poly-viscose
material. Much cooler than a traditional wool kilt. I know as I live in
Texas, one of the 'Warmer' climates.

I suggest you start with one of the economy kilts. Then work your
way into a regular 'skirt'. That will keep your family happy and not try
to 'dump' on you.

Hope this info helps

Uncle Al

[AMM]

Would anybody know where I could buy Skirts made for men or the contemporary kilt that Wikipedia refers to?

Skirts made specifically for men are going to cost hundreds of dollars. They are also probably still going to freak your parents out. "Contemporary" kilts are also pretty expensive -- my Utilikilt cost something like $250.

One reason I'm not so keen on the traditional kilt idea is because I'm not much fan for wool cloth ...

Don't worry, a $30 or $50 kilt is not going to be made of wool. Stillwater kilts in that price range are acrylic.

[poszest16]

As weird as it sounds my family does not have a problem with me wearing skirts, I guess the thing they have a problem with is the fact the skirt is not made for a man but instead a women. I asked what the difference was outwardly but they did not have much of an answer. Just for some information My family and I are strong and true Christian believers and Our beliefs are quite different then the stereo-typical Christian. For instance we believe that the verse in the bible referring to men wearing womens clothing and vise versa is referring to men or women who try to disguise themselfs as the opposite sex not just put on a skirt, Besides Jesus wore a dress. We all agree I am not trying to disguise myself because I want to wear a skirt just as a clothing item nothing else. I used to have a friend who we always wondered if he was straight or not (Until he came out and said so.) and because of that I can understand my parents concern that if other people my think the same about me. I might just have to work with them and ease them to the idea. Besides they made several remakes about me when I first started wearing Kimonos and Yukatas around the house.

I have a hard time believing that a skirt made for man would cost hundreds of dollars because what about those websites that sell skirts for cross dressers in mens sizes that only run about $30 to $50. Any suggestions there?

[crfriend]

As weird as it sounds my family does not have a problem with me wearing skirts, I guess the thing they have a problem with is the fact the skirt is not made for a man but instead a women.

I'm going to take this one in stages, so please bear with me.

Skirts constructed for, or marketed to, men are vanishingly rare in "western culture" but are actually quite common in others. Pacific Islanders, for instance, enjoy the sarong without without worry of which sex the thing was designed for. (It's a wrap skirt and fits both equally well, and can be done as plainly or with as much flourish as one wishes.) Scots have the kilt, but there's a lot of baggage associated with that, especially if one is going for a formal or semi-formal look; the same applies to the Greek fustanella.

I asked what the difference was outwardly but they did not have much of an answer. Just for some information My family and I are strong and true Christian believers and Our beliefs are quite different then the stereo-typical Christian. For instance we believe that the verse in the bible referring to men wearing womens clothing and vise versa is referring to men or women who try to disguise themselfs as the opposite sex [...]

Here we seem to get some traction regarding the "problem". I am not a Biblical scholar, but my interpretation of Deuteronomy 22:5 is that it is "an abomination" to attempt to assume the identity of the other sex for illicit purposes. This does not seem to be the case here so the prohibition need not apply. Growing and keeping a beard, for instance, would obviate that possibility as beards cannot be taken off and put back on at will -- similarly a mustache. The notion that a man cannot wear a "one tube" garment (e.g. robes, gowns, &c) falls apart because those were the dominant styles in the middle east during the time that the Bible was originally conceived and written.

[...] Besides they made several remakes about me when I first started wearing Kimonos and Yukatas around the house.

The kimono is a unisex garment in Japan (although I believe there are accessories that may make the garment "gendered"), so that bears recalling. I'm not sure about the yukata, but it's likely similar.

What's at play here is a disconnect because skirted garments for guys are not common in "western civilisation" and finding ones specifically designed for men are likely to be (1) expensive because there are not economies of scale in manufacturing and marketing, (2) significant negative social pressure regarding the idea (which is, from personal experience, easily dissipated), and (3) tend to go overboard with "manly details" which may detract from the functionality of the garment. So, from this writer's viewpoint, your parents may be trapped in a loop of circular logic from which there may be no escape. These "loops" seem all too common, and count for one of the major detractors from getting skirted garments accepted on men in the west. The other two that are frequently applied is that any man that puts on a skirt is either homosexual or wants to become a woman; neither of those stands up to rigourous analysis, and that can be seen from any number of studies that have already been done.

I have a hard time believing that a skirt made for man would cost hundreds of dollars because what about those websites that sell skirts for cross dressers in mens sizes that only run about $30 to $50. Any suggestions there?

See my commentary above about economics of scale. At the moment, we have the classic "chicken and egg" problem -- without a mass market, the cost of custom garments will be very high, and because the costs are very high there cannot be a mass market.

The answer, as I see it, is to adopt the garments that our sisters wear but make them our own by virtue of other things we wear with them and how we groom and comport ourselves as men. I have received more positive comments, mainly from women, when I've worn skirts than I ever have when wearing trousers. On a very practical note, the styles marketed to the "misses" market (and sometimes "juniors") can work quite well on men -- assuming a proper fit can be had -- because those are designed for body-shapes that are surprisingly close to the fit male body.

Bluntly put, having the guts to shove on a skirt -- and make it your own -- is one of the most masculine things one can do; it takes conviction, it takes confidence, and it takes resilience; all of which are widely considered masculine ideals.

[poszest16]

I made the remark about the verse in the bible because some people seemed to be getting the idea that my parents where opposed to the idea possibly because of religious belief or other. I do agree that it can be quite masculine to just suck it up and go out in public with a skirt on because some people think that world will not accept it but more people do then even I think.

One question that I would have for the US of A people out there is if there laws that make it illegal for men to wear womens clothing in public? Just Wondering.

One of my top concerns is if I look good in my black skirt or any other skirt so a bit later if I can get someone to take a picture of me in my skirt I would like to upload it so I can get some feedback on it.

If I can pull stuff like this off then I might just have to buy normal womens skirts and tell my parents this is all I can wear without spending a small fortune. I guess this is just something that will take time.

Just a side question but how many men out there wear knee socks with there skirts or kilts? If not what do you wear?

[Uncle Al]

Joel,

Personally I wear over-the-calf men's support hose by Futura (sp).
The Jobst hose are a bit expensive. This is due to having blood clots
in my leg. They're gone now, but I don't take any chances of them
coming back. They also go well with my kilts, either Utilikilts or my
Stillwater Kilts. The kilts come to mid-knee on me, which is what I like.

An over-the-calf/knee-hi sock/hose will work well with about any
combination you put forth. I still match my hose to my shoes.
(Black goes with anything )

At this time I have greater movement with my kilts than I do with a
typical skirt. I can have a 'normal' stride, or even run (yeah-right*)
in a kilt much-much easier than any skirt due to their multiple pleats
in the back. A regular skirt restricts my ability to do this. If I were
to wear more skirts than kilts, the skirts would have to be A-Line,
or fully pleated for the entire circumference of the skirt.

*At 59 years old, I don't run unless it is absolutely necessary

Uncle Al

[poszest16]

I did forget to mention my skirt was an A-Line so this skirt does not restrict my movement. I have been wearing black knee socks with my skirt which I think look the best. I would like to find other tops that I could wear other then T-Shirts and Polos. I would like my next skirt to be pleated some how or other.

I wear a size 34 US Mens Jeans and the skirt I bought is a size 10 (Not sure if Misses, Juniors or Etc.). Would anybody know the size match of 34 to a misses or juniors skirt?

[crfriend]

I would like to find other tops that I could wear other then T-Shirts and Polos.

I find that typical men's dress shirts go just fine with many types of skirts. I am also a big devotee of waistcoats.

I wear a size 34 US Mens Jeans and the skirt I bought is a size 10 (Not sure if Misses, Juniors or Etc.). Would anybody know the size match of 34 to a misses or juniors skirt?

Sizing of skirts -- or of almost anything else marketed to women -- is a bit of a black art. Truly the only way to get an accurate fit is to either try the target garment on or measure it. Too, different skirts are designed to ride at different heights. Some fit right to the natural waist, and some are designed to ride on the hips; the former is usually pretty easy to get a good fit in; the latter can be problematic, especially if one needs to go to true women's sizes as those are designed with "womanly curves" in mind. This is why "misses" or "juniors" sizes are usually easiest as the younger women haven't developed those curves yet.

The above having been said, if a 10 fits you then you have a ballpark size to go on. I have between a 36 and 38 inch waist and usually fit well into a size 14.

[poszest16]

My main question is what range of sizes is this skirt in? Since it was in the clearance (Mixture of Departments) section and it only said size 10 on it.

[straightfairy]

The best advice for sizes i can offer is to measure you own waist and hip size, and then take a tape measure with you whenever you go out shopping for skirts/kilts.
If you go onto websites for various clothing shops/makers, they will usually have a 'size guide' with the equivalent size in inches for sizes 8,10, 12 etc. These are a guide only and I've been caught out before.
For example, a US 10, is about a UK 14. UK size 12 is usually waist 29" and a size 14 is 31.5". I have a 33" waist so should 'technically' wear a UK 16, but all my skirts are either a 12 or 14, depending on fit, and how high they sit on my hips/waist.
Use the websites to look at styles etc you like and then go and look at the actual items with that tape measure. Tell any curious assistants you're looking for a friend if you don't have the confidence to say it's for yourself. Shops' sizes are known to vary, so just say the actual waist size you're looking for..
Hope that helps.
btw, UK shops seem to have a lot of kilt type skirts in at the moment in a variety of fabrics and lengths - may be the US equivalents do too?