Skirt-wearing By Country

[Dragearen]

Thank you for the responses everybody, they are both interesting and helpful. We don't have anything from the Americas besides the US though... What about Latin America? What is it like there?

@hobofat
I never thought Japan would be like that, though I suppose it's similar here as well. What about hakamas (bifurcated or unbifurcated)? Are those ever worn, even if only for ceremonial occasions?

[hobofat]

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

Not too much of interest, I'm afraid. Both my wife and I had studied a bit of Japanese at university and wanted to travel some. Not having abundant resources to travel I managed to snag a job teaching English in public primary and secondary schools. Was originally supposed to be a for a year, closing in on three now.

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

It's my experience, for what it's worth, that while they may manifest it in a different way, people are fundamentally the same, no matter where you go.

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?

Yup, my wife and I had a rare day-off at the same time so we took a day trip to an area we had wanted to visit for awhile. I used it as the opportunity to wear a skirt for the first time in public (I've been lounging about in them at home for awhile). We had a good day. It was a fishing port so some of the best sushi I've ever had. When our Japan adventure is over we'll be headed to the U.S. Northeast, might get out and about more there.

[hobofat]

@hobofat
I never thought Japan would be like that, though I suppose it's similar here as well. What about hakamas (bifurcated or unbifurcated)? Are those ever worn, even if only for ceremonial occasions?

Unbifurcated hakamas might be worn a few times in your lifetime, as traditional wedding garb or for coming-of-age ceremony when you turn 20 (though most guys were suits for that now) or child portraits. Girls wear traditional kimono more frequently than guys would wear hakama. Also, it's a very distinct "uniform" if you will, no confusing it with garments intended for women.

Of course there are the fashion centers of Tokyo where no one would bat an eye at a guy in a skirt, but the same could be said for NYC or LA. And there are definitely guys in Japan who wear skirts. But they are definitely a very small sub-culture and viewed as such.

But at the end of the day, Japan felt safe enough that I felt comfortable giving it a go personally. I would be more nervous in the U.S. to be honest. And as a plus, since everyone here stares at me anyway (tall white guy in an area with few white foreigners), what's a bit more staring.

[couyalair]

I saw neither hakamas nor kimonos in my short stay in Japan -- and certainly no skirted men, although I have since then frequently seen photos of youngsters in all kinds of odd attire, as you say, in the fashion centres. I was kilted the whole time and did not even feel that people were staring at me, but I did not have the opportunity to visit any small towns off the beaten track, where reactions may well have been different.

Fascinating country; I can understand you wishing to prolong your stay there.

Martin

[Hazy]

Australia - generally neutral, unsafe in some areas.

I would agree with that as far as Australia goes. I have been out skirted in major cities in Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory and never had a problem beyond a few raised eyebrows.

Cheers

Hazy