Another Manufacturer Offering Unisex Skirts

[Grok]

Unfortunately, I believe that you are correct. So far, "unisex" has been a one-sided/one way proposition. So far as clothing is concerned, even imported MUGs are being appropriated as exclusively feminine. If we are very lucky, MUGs such as sarongs and caftans will be rescued from this process. Hopefully. Actually, for change during my lifetime (I'm 57) this is my most optimistic scenario.

(That is, optimistic as opposed to theoretical scenarios).

Actually, it is not entirely surprising that women would appropriate imported MUGs, they do that with traditional male clothing. Ironically, getting these labeled as androgynous may be a major victory.

[skirtilator]

Unfortunately, I believe that you are correct. So far, "unisex" has been a one-sided/one way proposition. So far as clothing is concerned, even imported MUGs are being appropriated as exclusively feminine. If we are very lucky, MUGs such as sarongs and caftans will be rescued from this process. Hopefully. Actually, for change during my lifetime (I'm 57) this is my most optimistic (as opposed to theoretical) scenario.

As long as you don't adopt the tiny mind of bigots, you don't need labels or the approval of others to wear skirts. It doesn't make a shred of difference to the mob how do you call your skirt. I should call my utility kilt Lindsay, because that's the name of the chick who runs the business trinity kilts. I slimmed a bit, so Lindsay doesn't fit at the moment. The same applies to Leonie, my Elkommando Kilt. Fortunately, there is Isabella, my curdory pleated skirt, who fits like a charme.

The black pleated wool blend skirt is going to be called Jessica. Don't stare at my Jessica, folks. It looks like that Adriana, my pleated winter skirt with skirt protector is lost in transit.

[crfriend]

As long as you don't adopt the tiny mind of bigots, you don't need labels or the approval of others to wear skirts. It doesn't make a shred of difference to the mob how do you call your skirt.

I am inclined to agree with this sentiment, although I would have put it a bit differently. To the mass of "The Great Unwashed" a "skirt" will always be a "skirt" -- and this designator includes sarongs, kilts, fustanellas, and a host of other "mono-tube" garments that are worn by guys around the world. We're not going to change that viewpoint. What we can do, however, is, as ourselves, present a positive and compelling image to the world around us that skirts work on guys and can work quite well.

Imagine for a moment heading out for a few cold ones at the local pub whist so attired and running into somebody new. Would he notice? Possibly not. Would he offer bodily harm because of your attire? In all probability not (especially if it looks like he'd come out on the "losing end"). Would he be curious about your chose of garment? Possibly. If your "look" was compelling, would he think about it? Possibly. Would he approach you about and strike up a conversation? Just possibly. (In the above, I'd estimate "probably" at 75% and "possibly" at 20% -- do the math.) There's another possibility to contemplate: even if he didn't approach you to strike up a conversation, could it have swayed him to not just think about the notion but possibly bring it into practice? (That'll be a very low percentage there.) If so, he'll likely not look back and take up skirt-wearing and make it his own.

I'm sort of at a loss for all the skirts having women's names. Why so? Most of my cars have borne female names, but there have been a few who have had male names -- and that was down to their personalities.

[Grok]

Once, while wearing a Utilikilt, I was approached by a gentlemen, who asked where I got the garment. I gave him a card. I don't know if he followed up. Also, a few years back there was a story in another forum about a man wearing a robe. (The man's wife made the robe for him). Apparently he felt isolated in his fashion choice, because he was very glad when he ran into a kilted man.

[Caultron]

You'll never believe it until you try it. That's the hard part.

[Grok]

Well, the Macabi skirt is one example (the only one I know of) of men adopting a woman's skirt and making it a shared style. It is notable that this process was bottom up rather than top down. And the men seem to have been welcomed.

[crfriend]

Well, the Macabi skirt is one example (the only one I know of) of men adopting a woman's skirt and making it a shared style. It is notable that this process was bottom up rather than top down. And the men seem to have been welcomed.

I rather suspect this can be done with other styles as well, and without very much pushback. For instance, this is the latest skirt I've bought for myself, and it's a very similar pattern to one I already have -- and wear frequently -- in blue. In all the time I've been wearing the latter the only commentary I have had on it has been uniformly and overwhelmingly positive, but, for the most part either folks don't notice or simply don't say anything.

In short, if one likes the look of a particular style and can wear it well, go for it. If you don't try, you'll never discover whether it works for you or not -- nor will others around you get exposed to something out of the ordinary and mundane.

[Grok]

Perhaps the top down approach could work, with the right product. And the right approach. First, the skirt must look plausible on a male, at least in the eyes of male customers. Second, the skirt-without alteration-should fit some men okay, as well as the present female customers. (I assume that management thinks they can increase sales without significantly increasing costs). From the perspective of a male customer, it would certainly be convenient if the garment can be worn as is. And the web site should should include male models, as well as a table for converting sizes. So conceivably a skirt could come to be "unisex"-not only officially, but also in the sense of being shared. However, I suspect that this would be very much a niche thing.

[Grok]

On the other hand, a similar scenario is conceivable which is bottom up, like the Macabi. In this scenario I assume that the men are exchanging information on line about a particular product, and consulting tables for converting sizes. (This would be similar to women appropriating from the male side of the aisle). Conceivably this could even be an imported garment, but one would have to be especially careful about converting sizes.

[Grok]

Where does appropriation end? For a MUG, features that are absent from womens' skirts: excellent pockets, large belt loops, rugged construction.... I suspect that a new MUG design will be appropriated by women if it is very similar to womens' skirts.

[crfriend]

Where does appropriation end? For a MUG, features that are absent from womens' skirts: excellent pockets, large belt loops, rugged construction.... I suspect that a new MUG design will be appropriated by women if it is very similar to womens' skirts.

Here's my take on the matter, pretty much in order:

Pockets: Pockets can be useful things, but can also be a source of irritation. Skirts hang very differently from trousers, and heavily-loaded pockets can produce a seriously lop-sided appearance when they might not with trousers. This may not be a problem with some heavily-constructed skirts (see below) but very likely will be with lighter ones. (Contemplate the difference between sailcloth-weight canvas and a light summer gauze.)

Belt loops: These are only useful if one needs a belt. Guys with large bellies (which are accepted on guys culturally but not on the gals) do usually need them, but a decent percentage don't and for those guys they're just one more thing to get in the way. I don't need a belt to keep stuff up, and if I did I'd seriously consider a pair of braces ("suspenders" west of The Pond) as a more genteel (and structurally sound) option.

Rugged construction: Here we get into where aesthetics meets the road. If I'm going to "do the 'lumberjack look'", I'll do it whole-hog; however, that's not my thing. I prefer refined fabrics that have some delicacy to them (hence my liking for satins, velvets, taffeta, and even sometimes -- gasp! -- lace). Rugged is fine for the outdoorsman or the rough-and-tumble crowd, but shouldn't be considered the "be-all and end-all" for a guy's skirted rig.

In short, whilst most guys seem to think all three are mandatory, in practise they're really not, and elements should be left to the decision of the individual bloke in question. The thrust, after all, is choice not more constraints.

[Grok]

Suspenders! (braces) Didn't think of that. (Light bulb flashes over my head ). Maybe that would ease problems of finding skirts that fit; perhaps such would be useful with DIY projects.

[Tor]

Belt loops: These are only useful if one needs a belt. ... I don't need a belt to keep stuff up, and if I did I'd seriously consider a pair of braces ("suspenders" west of The Pond) as a more genteel (and structurally sound) option.

Hmmm... I seem to be in a somewhat obscure category. I have a waist plenty small enough, relatively, to hold up clothes, but when it comes to trousers, even though I buy them with a waist nominally two inches larger than needed (thus making a belt mandatory), I have a terrible time getting enough height from waist to bifurcation point. Indeed, one pair I once tried was found to have a front waist to back waist measurement only 1" longer than my tape measure claims to be the minimum I can theoretically squeeze into and get the waist high enough.

The only reason I haven't gone to wearing skirts much of the time is because those around me don't care for it, but I'm getting tired of trying when I know of only /one/ manufacturer of cargo pants making /one/ style that is decent. I don't really like the shorts of the same style - mostly because they lose a precious inch where it counts. I'm open to suggestions in either direction:)

[skirtyscot]

Well, Tor, if you can't get trousers to fit, 'cause they all squeeze your balls or your buttocks too tight, then you'll just have to wear skirts, won't you?

Lucky you! You have the perfect reason. Don't worry about the friends and rellies, they'll get used to it eventually. (Subtlety has never been my forte.)

[Kilted Musician]

Yeah, belts. Belt loops are good.

I agree. Some of my skirts have belt loops but not all. I'm thinking about the possibility of adding loops to the ones that don't. I've got one skirt that I really like but I think the loops are there just for decoration. They're way too small to get a belt through them!

--Rick