Skirt-wearing By Country

[Dragearen]

I would like to compile a list, both for education and for practical purposes for anyone here doing travel, on the skirt-wearing attitudes in various countries around the world. If you have any information to add, please do and I will put it onto this post. Here's the list:

Australia - generally neutral, unsafe in some areas.
Bhutan - ethnic skirts (ghos) are required by law (not required for everybody?). Modern skirts, unknown.
Denmark, Copenhagen and most other parts: Extremely tolerant. Kilt no problem at all. Skirt a few stares.
France, Provence: Kilt no problem at all. Skirt a few stares.
Germany, many cities in most parts of Germany: Kilt and skirt no problem.
India - ethnic skirts (dhotis and lunghis) are somewhat common. Modern skirts, unknown.
Indonesia - ethnic skirts (sarongs) are quite common. Modern skirts, unknown.
Italy, Rome, Naples, and Northern Italy: Kilt no problem. Skirt N/A.
Japan, Tokyo: Kilt no problem. Skirt N/A.
Malaysia - ethnic skirts (sarongs) are somewhat common, usually worn only in the house or the mosque. Modern skirts, unknown.
Netherlands, Amsterdam: Kilt no problem. Skirt N/A.
Spain: Barcelona, Costa del Sol: Kilt no problem, skirt N/A. A few more stares than in northern European countries perhaps.
Sweden, Southern part: Kilt and skirt absolutely no problem. Extremely tolerant. In a kilt you are hardly noticed. Skirt a few stares.
Switzerland, Southern part: Kilt and skirt no problem. Skirt a few stares.
Thailand - ethnic skirts (sarongs) are somewhat common. Modern skirts, unknown.
UK - generally neutral, unsafe in some areas.
USA - varies greatly from location to location (Colorado, especially Boulder, is a good place). Generally neutral. Kilts are more accepted than most.

Anyone have any other information to add? What about more western countries? Are there particular regions that are more accepting than others?

[Sarongman]

I believe that most "first world" European countries, UK, USA and Australia are, by and large, tolerant in a live and let live fashion. This has been my experience, here in Australia. However, in certain parts of the country, where there are areas of criminality and deprivation, it would be foolish to go skirted if you wished to leave undamaged. I don't know if this has any validity in your research, but i offer it up anyway.

[crfriend]

I think that in Bhutan, the gho is only "required by law" for certain members of the government on formal occasions. I do not believe that it applies to the man in the street.

As far as there being pockets in "first world" countries in which it would be profoundly unwise for a guy to be seen in a skirt, I rather suspect that's pretty much the same everywhere in the world. It'll be worse in societies that have an intrinsically violent culture (the USA and South Africa seem to come to mind; Oz may be in the same position) than in ones that don't. The main issue is to know your surroundings and act accordingly.

[STEVIE]

Aberdeen as a city has a relatively low crime rate. There are still parts of it that I'd never dream of going into skirted.
I think I'd also be wary of some of the rural areas of Northern Scotland.
Steve.

[MoonDrake]

I believe that most "first world" European countries, UK, USA and Australia are, by and large, tolerant in a live and let live fashion. This has been my experience, here in Australia. However, in certain parts of the country, where there are areas of criminality and deprivation, it would be foolish to go skirted if you wished to leave undamaged. I don't know if this has any validity in your research, but i offer it up anyway.

Lol I have been called criminal and depraved.

[Caultron]

Lol I have been called criminal and depraved.

Sounds like an interesting story. By who, and where?

[RichardA]

North Baddesley, Hampshire UK
after wearing a kilt in my small village for the last 20 odd years I'm still classed as an novelty act.

[Taj]

Boulder, Colorado is about as safe a place as I know for alternative self expression. However, you will find ignorant bigots everywhere. Always be aware of your surroundings.

[MoonDrake]

Lol I have been called criminal and depraved.

Sounds like an interesting story. By who, and where?

Ava, mo is a very very small hillbilly/cattle farming, Bible Belt community. I like it here but the town I general thinks I'm straight out the looney bin without my skirted choices. Just the way it is.

[GerdG]

In all the following countries seeing a man in a skirt or kilt is very seldom. My personal experiences are:

Denmark, Copenhagen and most other parts: Extremely tolerant. Kilt no problem at all. Skirt a few stares.
France, Provence: Kilt no problem at all. Skirt a few stares.
Germany, many cities in most parts of Germany: Kilt and skirt no problem.
Italy, Rome, Naples, and Northern Italy: Kilt no problem. Skirt N/A.
Japan, Tokyo: Kilt no problem. Skirt N/A.
Netherlands, Amsterdam: Kilt no problem. Skirt N/A.
Spain: Barcelona, Costa del Sol: Kilt no problem, skirt N/A. A few more stares than in northern European countries perhaps.
Sweden, Southern part: Kilt and skirt absolutely no problem. Extremely tolerant. In a kilt you are hardly noticed. Skirt a few stares.
Switzerland, Southern part: Kilt and skirt no problem. Skirt a few stares.

Differences between countries are small. Denmark and Sweden might be the most tolerant ones, however.
My skirt experiences are few compared to kilt.

[couyalair]

My experiences are the same as Greg's (except that I've not visited Scandinavia at all).
I have worn non-tartan skirts in some of these places, but I don't think they attract any more attention than tartan kilts.
I've never felt unsafe anywhere, but perhaps I just have no reason to go to the sleazier places some of you may frequent.

Martin

[MoonDrake]

Lol I grew up on a traveling carnival with my gypsy step family, I'm not threatened by no man.

[hobofat]

New user here. A Yankee living in rural Japan. Skirts and kilts outside of Tokyo and Osaka (maybe Kyoto) will get A LOT of stares and maybe some snide remarks, particularly from teenage boys and elderly males. But no violence-- verbal or physical. 99% of people of people who notice will ignore, as that's the polite thing to do. This is based on personal experience. For all of the weirdness you see in Japanese media, Japan is quite conservative outside of major cities. I cannot wear skirts in my town in public because I am considered a "public servant" in my role as a teacher and appearances have to be maintained, even on private time. But a visitor could do it, if they don't mind the chatter. Hope this helps.

[crfriend]

New user here. A Yankee living in rural Japan.

Hmmm... An ex-pat Yank living in rural Japan -- there's got to be a story in that!

Skirts and kilts outside of Tokyo and Osaka (maybe Kyoto) will get A LOT of stares and maybe some snide remarks, particularly from teenage boys and elderly males.

That's the typical cast of characters that'll comment negatively. I'd even be willing to bet that it's a worldwide trait.

I cannot wear skirts in my town in public because I am considered a "public servant" in my role as a teacher and appearances have to be maintained, even on private time. But a visitor could do it, if they don't mind the chatter. Hope this helps.

I understand about the conservative nature of Japanese culture, so I get why you might not want to wear your skirts about your local environment, but how about farther afield?

[Caultron]

Agreed, men are much more likely to view skirt-wearing negatively, and women positively.

So, who are you out to impress? (generic question)