Skirt Designs..

[straightfairy]

After reading a facebook post by 'The original Freeman' earlier. I started wondering, which is usually dangerous.

Are we actually tackling the issues of men wearing skirts from the wrong direction?
Whilst many of us (including myself) wear for comfort, there is an understandable emphasis within these pages on the appearance of various skirts, and their context when worn as part of outfits.
However, as men (as most on here are) we usually (and conventionally) dress according to function, so should/could not the designs of our skirts follow the same format?
As with trousers, the form and appearance of a skirt that I would want to wear in an office are significantly different to what I want when gardening, travelling or on a night out.
Please note the following are rough personal preferences..
Eg
1) Office skirt. Women's office trousers are often styled differently to office skirts. The skirts tend to lose the pockets, fly front and belt loops whilst retaining the shape for hips and waist. I don't see why that is. I'd still want all those items, but in a calf length ( to retain balance with the jacket) skirt with an a-line shape/pleating to allow for reasonable walking movement.

2) Casual skirt. Denim / heavy cotton like jeans. Knee length maybe and more pleats/shaping to allow lots of movement, plenty of pockets for assorted detritus, possibly a snap button front/rear to give more modesty when working at height.

3) Going out. Something with a good dose more colour and obvious design. I like some of the kilts with a different (bright) colour inside the pleats. How about a design with a line of car racing each other around the bottom hem? Fashion skirt-suits with the skirt lining in a bright colour to match the jacket lining?

4) The hippy. (See Jack's photos).
(sorry Jack, couldnt resist. You have a lovely style that looks great on you and would look awful on me)

What does everyone else think?

[JohnH]

Carry a crossbody bag and you would not have to worry about pockets. I wear a black canvas crossbody bag and the only things I put in my pockets are my keys and a handkerchief.

John

[skirtingtheissue]

...
1) Office skirt. Women's office trousers are often styled differently to office skirts. The skirts tend to lose the pockets, fly front and belt loops whilst retaining the shape for hips and waist. I don't see why that is. I'd still want all those items, but in a calf length ( to retain balance with the jacket) skirt with an a-line shape/pleating to allow for reasonable walking movement.

I agree with losing the pockets and fly front as that makes for a cleaner, smoother line; a belt, however, would not necessarily detract. I agree with the length. I'd carry a purse if a briefcase or attaché case was not required.

2) Casual skirt. Denim / heavy cotton like jeans. Knee length maybe and more pleats/shaping to allow lots of movement, plenty of pockets for assorted detritus, possibly a snap button front/rear to give more modesty when working at height.

Agreed. Could also be above the knee. I would also add:

2A) Walking/hiking skirt. Lightweight cotton or synthetic, above the knee, construction to allow long strides, ample pockets a must.

3) Going out. Something with a good dose more colour and obvious design. I like some of the kilts with a different (bright) colour inside the pleats. How about a design with a line of car racing each other around the bottom hem? Fashion skirt-suits with the skirt lining in a bright colour to match the jacket lining?

Good color ideas; don't like the automotive theme except for an enthusiast get-together or to attend a race or car meet! Pockets not necessary; purses work well when dining out etc.

4) The hippy. (See Jack's photos).
(sorry Jack, couldnt resist. You have a lovely style that looks great on you and would look awful on me)

No comment necessary!

[ethelthefrog]

For me, a look that requires the absence of pockets is a non-starter. Many people have told me that it gives cleaner lines (not really sure what that means, but hey), but a garment that doesn't hold my wallet and keys is not fit for purpose in my book. Of course, I accept that other people's books differ from mine...

I generally wear casual clothing to work anyway, so 1 and 2 are the same for me. I wear jeans most days, but I'm unconvinced by denim skirts. I'd go for a lighter weight cotton, pleated, in a colour that compliments the casual shirt.

[Sinned]

The problem with the office skirt sith its flat front panel is that we men have a distinct bulge in a place where women don't! I have the same problem when I wear a tightish bodycon type skirt. I think that the bulge can be noticeable when I wear certain shorts or tight trousers or even swimming costume so if it's visible then then why should I worry when I wear a tight skirt? What do others think?

[Caultron]

I think the male bulge is more noticible in the middle of a flat skirt front than it is in pants or boxer-style swimsuits. This is partly because of the large flat area, and partly because we're used to seeing and ignoring a make bulge in male clothes.

To avoid this, it'd probably be better for an office skirt to have some folds or pleats in front, use heavier fabric, or have a double layer. I suppose a dark color would help as well.

I suppose a floral pattern would help, but that probably exceeds the parametes of a man's office skirt. I suspect pinstripes would make the problem worse.

Tight briefs or even a gaff would also solve the problem but ewww...

[Grok]

As I understand it, pockets would cause bulges on a woman's skirt-therefore, unfashionable and unsexy.

[Kirbstone]

As I understand it, we're not talking about womens' skirts here, so big pockets are IN.

T.

[rick401r]

I tend to think of what type of skirt to wear the same way I would choose a pair of pants. For heavy, dirtier work I would need something of a sturdy fabric, probably denim. It would have to be long enough to protect my knees when I'm kneeling. I would also need spacious pockets and a belt to hold various tools.
For lounging I like something light and airy such as a gauze type of fabric. Pockets are not required.
When I go out I prefer a traditional kilt for a dressier look. I would need a sporran or bag of some kind for all the junk I carry.
I have no experience in an office environment so I don't know what I would wear in that situation.

[STEVIE]

It's all about "horses for courses", where to start is the question?
Bodycon garments in most cases are not suitable workwear unless the "look" is what you are being paid to achieve. For most of us, I would pretty much doubt that.
Pockets, why the problem, wear a jacket or carry a bag, simple.
The "bulge", it's not a good look if you flaunt it skirted or trousered.
Remember, if we are to be taken seriously, the skirt you choose to wear in any given situation is vitally important.
As a guy in a skirt, you will be scrutinised more critically than anyone, male or female.
Not fair, but a fact of life.
That said, be bold, experiment and play with colour, pattern and design when it's right.
Above all, if you cant enjoy it, don't do it.
Steve.

[Brad]

I agree with sinned but disagree with Caultron about the male bulge issue.

The male bulge is a natural fact of life. We have male anatomy and we have male bulges. I resent the notion that we must hide the male bulge and be ashamed of it. Women have enlarged mammaries. Should they have to hide their bulge and be ashamed of it? Of course not, and they sure love to flaunt it. I believe that this idea of hiding bulges was propogated by women who fear the male bulge as a potential sexual attack on their bodies. So our display of it is threatening and obscene. I would agree that we should not accentuate the bulge and draw attention to it, as stated by Stevie. But we must not feel the need to hide the bodies we were born with. I am not ashamed of my male anatomy and I do not feel that I need to hide it. By the way, there are women that check out men's bodies looking for a bulge.

[couyalair]

Although it seems to be accepted that a bulge in your jeans is ok, I think it should not be too obvious in a skirt, as it could add ammunition to those that think it is wrong for us to wear a skirt. If society were logical, then showing a bulge in a skirt would be applauded as proving the masculinity of the wearer, but I think it would more likely be an excuse for mockery or criticism.
It's not a question of shame, just trying to maintain good style.

I find it quite funny how men have for centuries been buttoned up as if they wanted to deny having any flesh (19th c buttoned-up shirts, waistcoats, jackets, while the women flaunted low necklines and bare arms; 20th c baggy shorts versus women's strings on the beach!), while at the same time wearing tight revealing cloth round the genitals; think of the tights that men wore before trousers came into fashion. Farther back in history, there were coloured cod-pieces at the crotch, and even built-in padded bulges protruding through cut-away clothing, as numerous old paintings show us.
The Scottish sporran is evidence of the same ambiguity, hiding any possible natural bulge, but at the same time drawing attention to that area of the body. In France, my sporran was referred to as my "cache-sexe". As for the big hairy ones, I think they verge on the obscene !!!

Martin

[Caultron]

In agree that men shouldn't be obsessive about hiding their bulge, but neither about flaunting it. Society expects some level of discretion, regardless of the type of garment.

But of course that's a judgement call, and each person's judgement is different.

[straightfairy]

I don't want my thread to get de-railed into a 'battle of the bulge'. but it seems to me that visibility of it has been more due to the whims of fashion than anything else, according to how tight/loose clothing is worn etc.
As per my first post. i can't see why pockets on a skirt should spoil the lines anymore than pockets on a similarly styled skirt. i.e. where women have the choice of matching skirt or trousers for a particular suit jacket. I'd love the choice of skirt or trousers for my suits, but I'd want them with matching styling and features.
I can think that for running skirts, wrap around ones in a light, wicking, flowing fabric; walking skirts could be similar, but longer and with pleats?
Skirts used for manual work could may be have a snap-fix at the front/back when certain activities would otherwise allow too much to be seen?

[Nolyn]

The male bulge is a natural fact of life. We have male anatomy and we have male bulges. I resent the notion that we must hide the male bulge and be ashamed of it.

Though I am not necessarily disagreeing with this statement, I think the advantage of skirts is that they hide body bulges and lines for a more attractive look. Many times I have been walking behind someone and thought, 'I wish this person would hide her/his butt cracked pants with a skirt.' The same goes for the front of a person: the skirt hides the crotch. So, I would rather see minimal to no male bulge and the skirt can still do that.