Pockets, or Lack Thereof

[Big and Bashful]

I find all this reluctance and angst by so many people to carry a bag mildly amusing and sad at the same time. For goodness sake, what IS the problem? If you are man enough to wear a skirt, are you not man enough to carry a bag instead of stuffing pockets full of day-to-day paraphernalia?

I've been using a shoulder bag of one sort or another on a daily basis for years and years, regardless of whether or not I am wearing a skirt or any other design of lower body clothing. Has anyone ever made any adverse comment about it to me, or treated me with any less respect? No, never, not once.

Bags don't have to be girly, nor do they imply girliness. There are plenty of bags out there suitable for even the most macho of blokes. Walk around my city, and you will see dozens of men, particularly the younger ones, carrying all sorts of styles of bags, shoulder bags, messenger bags, satchels, city rucksacks, etc. Carrying a bag is just plain common sense and nothing else, no different from wearing a raincoat in wet weather.

One problem is that if you are not used to carrying a bag with you, it is just too easy to leave it on buses, in restaurants, bars. You do your thing for a while, then get up and leave, expecting your pockets to follow you out of the room, not sit next to you waiting to be picked up! I still find I leave my hat behind on a regular basis because I am not "programmed" to automatically grab it on my way out. However, I don't tend to leave camera bags or laptop bags behind so there's hope yet, maybe gadgets just stick to me!

[Kilted_John]

The reason I don't bother with a bag, is that I simply don't need one. If I'm in classes (yes, I'm still a part-time college student), I can stuff things into the messenger bag I use for my books, etc. If I'm out taking photos, and have my camera bag, there's usually room for my wallet, keys, and phone in one of the pockets on that. Otherwise, it really isn't that necessary, since the phone is small enough to fit in my wallet.

-J

[steve66oh]

I find all this reluctance and angst by so many people to carry a bag mildly amusing and sad at the same time. For goodness sake, what IS the problem? If you are man enough to wear a skirt, are you not man enough to carry a bag instead of stuffing pockets full of day-to-day paraphernalia?

I've been using a shoulder bag of one sort or another on a daily basis for years and years, regardless of whether or not I am wearing a skirt or any other design of lower body clothing. Has anyone ever made any adverse comment about it to me, or treated me with any less respect? No, never, not once.

Bags don't have to be girly, nor do they imply girliness. There are plenty of bags out there suitable for even the most macho of blokes. Walk around my city, and you will see dozens of men, particularly the younger ones, carrying all sorts of styles of bags, shoulder bags, messenger bags, satchels, city rucksacks, etc. Carrying a bag is just plain common sense and nothing else, no different from wearing a raincoat in wet weather.

You're right, of course.

For me, the thing is, we're all (whether we like it or not...) activists in a cause, to change the public's prejudices regarding fashion. We all face the fact that "John Q. Public" THINKS that some fashion choices are reserved for women only. Personally, by wearing nail polish or a skirt, I'm making a statement - "I make this look manly... my masculinity is not defined by this".

The thing is, the "feminine" cues are additive. If I simultaneously defied every fashion custom - wore polish, heels, nylons, skirt, face makeup, a wig and a purse - my message would become "I'm a man, but it's OK that I look like a woman". It IS ok, of course... but I believe that I can more effectively challenge the prejudices by defying one or two customs within my otherwise masculine presentation. I want people to consider the questions of "can I accept a man wearing polish?.... wearing a skirt?", and not get distracted by the question "can I accept a man who looks like a woman?" Too many "feminine" cues blunt the point I'm making with my attire. That's why I don't carry a purse.

[GerdG]

With my tartan kilts I most often wear a sporran. When not, I'll wear my stuff in my camera bag or in the pockets of my wind breakers or anoraks. My Utilikilts and other skirts do all have pockets.

[MrUtopia]

In my situation, a bag is not practical. I work in the building supply industry and need to carry some items in pockets. I would like to see more skirts made with pockets similar to the work wear made for men (pants). I have found one work wear skirt for women that has pockets, but this item is not longer made. I have tried to re-design shorts into a skirt with some cutting and sewing, but this is limited to the material available and does not really finish with a well cut skirt. I personally do not like the style offered by the utilikilt or similar as to me they look more goth or trendy than everyday wear mens skirts. If I had a little more sewing skills, maybe I would go into production myself with some everyday wear and work wear skirts for men (with pockets).

[Since1982]

MrUtopia, check out "Utilikilts" online. Lots of pockets and leather. Like wearing a cross between a kilt and cargo shorts.

[Big and Bashful]

The Midas denim cargo skirt has 6 good pockets, available at knee length or longer if ordered as a special. I have 4 in different lengths, they get more wear than any of my others.

[MrUtopia]

The Midas denim cargo skirt has 6 good pockets, available at knee length or longer if ordered as a special. I have 4 in different lengths, they get more wear than any of my others.

The Midas denim cargo skirt is good, but the price.... I can buy 4 pair of everyday cargo shorts or 2 pair of good shorts for the price.
If they want mainstream customers to buy them, they need to bring the price back a bit.