Signs of the times?

[Derek Plattis]

Here's a very interesting article from the BBC

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/201503 ... es-for-men

Derek

[Gordon]

A good read, thanks for posting.

Here is a better picture of the "man dress" as worn by Mick Jagger, along with David Bowie in a dress by the same Mr Fish.
I'd be tempted to wear either one myself.

[Derek Plattis]

Wow, I'd wear either of those if I could get away with it! - Thanks for the pictures

Derek

[r.m.anderson]

WOW ! * !

Peasant Blouse meets (joined at waist) "A" frame skaters skirt.

At a loss for a name of this type of garment - perhaps a tunic skirt ?

I Like It ! - I Like It !

But sadly needs to lose the damn PANTS !

Probably more of a costume/stage wear rather than everyday street wear !

Off to the Ebay Google Search Source for something like it - - - - -

[Sinned]

Agreed. And that's something that can be worn in support of my hairy chest. Wonder what MOH's thoughts would be?

[Caultron]

Wow, I'd wear either of those if I could get away with it! - Thanks for the pictures

Derek

What makes you think you couldn't get away with it?

[Uncle Al]

To me, the one on the left would work as a 'Leine'(sp) or long shirt worn
under/with a kilt. The top portion looks a bit like a poets shirt, just a bit
too open for a full poets shirt. Throw the "fly" of the Great Kilt up over
the right/left shoulder, tuck it into your belt, and you're off to the Games


Uncle Al

[r.m.anderson]

I see what you are making reference - a over blousy ghillie (poets) shirt (tunic) covered with a great kilt fly over left shoulder.

That would be smartly dressed to go to the games - spectator of course - no down and dirty stuff (caber toss) !

[Derek Plattis]

Wow, I'd wear either of those if I could get away with it! - Thanks for the pictures

Derek

What makes you think you couldn't get away with it?

The Mick Jagger one ... just about maybe, but the David Bowie one......
Err where shall I start?.........O.K. in no particular order.......... My physique, my employers, my students, my neighbours, my wife, my friends, the general public out there and Uncle Tom Cobbly and all!.....apart from them, it should be fine.



Derek

[Caultron]

The Mick Jagger one ... just about maybe, but the David Bowie one......
Err where shall I start?.........O.K. in no particular order.......... My physique, my employers, my students, my neighbours, my wife, my friends, the general public out there and Uncle Tom Cobbly and all!.....apart from them, it should be fine.

I bet without knowing the problem is much more in your head than anyone else's.

But maybe something less extreme, in a relatively safe time and place...

Do you ever go out skirted? Or around the house? Or anywhere?

[Derek Plattis]

The Mick Jagger one ... just about maybe, but the David Bowie one......
Err where shall I start?.........O.K. in no particular order.......... My physique, my employers, my students, my neighbours, my wife, my friends, the general public out there and Uncle Tom Cobbly and all!.....apart from them, it should be fine.

I bet without knowing the problem is much more in your head than anyone else's.

But maybe something less extreme, in a relatively safe time and place...

Do you ever go out skirted? Or around the house? Or anywhere?

Yes I wear long skirts around the house and blouses too when ever I can. I go out skirted at least twice per week and have been doing so for several years. I go to local pubs which hold folk music events. I have several friends at these events who accept me without question but the two outfits here ( especially the David Bowie one) are off the wall. I wear skirts like a man and I am not interested in wigs and makeup. I am five foot ten and rather over weight at 14 st. 9 lbs. I am almost completely bald and what hair I have is cut right down to a 'bare blade'...(approx. 1. millimetre). I have a collection of dresses - about ten - all full length, but I have not dared to venture out in one yet. I keep them for 'dressing up' around the house.

I think there are limits to which one should keep. Public skirting should be comfortable and essentially manly. Anything overtly feminine should be kept for private enjoyment.

I am now 60 years old and I have been trying to wear skirts and blouses since puberty if not earlier. You are right, the problem is inside my head. It is an obsession which fills my brain for a great deal of my waking hours and with which I still have not come to terms completely. I am however, very happy in my gender role as a man, a husband and a father ... I just love wearing skirts, blouses and femming up a little. We are all different and we all need to live our dreams. Life is way too short to spend it screwed up about something like this.

There you are - I have ranted and raved a bit there but I believe men and women should all have full access to all styles of clothing. If it fits comfortably and it feels good we should all be able to wear anything. We should not be restricted in clothing by colours, styles, shapes, social conventions or anything else.

I expect this will all cause some comments ...... I hope so!

Derek

[crfriend]

You'd like comments? Here are a few.

I think there are limits to which one should keep. Public skirting should be comfortable and essentially manly. Anything overtly feminine should be kept for private enjoyment.

This mainly comes down to how one carries himself and behaves. Simple composure can overcome a large number of obstacles, not just on the part of the individual in "non-traditional" garb but also on the part of onlookers. Go forth confidently, knowing that you are doing precisely nothing "wrong"; be yourself. You may be surprised by the reaction.

The fact that we decide to wear skirts has nothing to do with our "role" in society. It has everything to do with who we are as individuals; to suppress that borders on the insane if not criminal. Or actions count in the world vastly more than what we decide to attire ourselves in; make your actions be your ambassador.

In retrospect, I should have worn trousers when I went out for errands and lunch today. I was not "on my game", and it showed. That got picked up on, and I got stared at more than a few times. Heed that, but do not be controlled by it for if you are controlled by it you'll never wear a skirt "out and about".

Don't ever get defensive about your style choice; to do so will rat you out immediately.

[Caultron]

...Yes I wear long skirts around the house and blouses too when ever I can. I go out skirted at least twice per week and have been doing so for several years. I go to local pubs which hold folk music events. I have several friends at these events who accept me without question but the two outfits here ( especially the David Bowie one) are off the wall. I wear skirts like a man and I am not interested in wigs and makeup. I am five foot ten and rather over weight at 14 st. 9 lbs. I am almost completely bald and what hair I have is cut right down to a 'bare blade'...(approx. 1. millimetre). I have a collection of dresses - about ten - all full length, but I have not dared to venture out in one yet. I keep them for 'dressing up' around the house.

I think there are limits to which one should keep. Public skirting should be comfortable and essentially manly. Anything overtly feminine should be kept for private enjoyment.

It's certainly understandable that there are some styles you'll wear and some you won't. And that's true for everyone.

But I'm glad to hear you've found the outlets you have. I was afraid for a while, there, that with so many people having objections, you weren't getting any outlet at all.

[dillon]

Derek, there is little more to it than to put the skirt on, open the door, and step outside. It is one thing to generously spare your spouse some social discomfort, or to avoid situations that could result in employment or professional difficulties, but another to not be the master of your own existence. Just go for it.

[Derek Plattis]

.


The fact that we decide to wear skirts has nothing to do with our "role" in society. It has everything to do with who we are as individuals.

With due respect, I find that too idealistic to be true. People dress in a way which 'fits in' with their role in society, so that we can be recognised as belonging to a particular group or role. That is why many organisations have uniforms and many companies have a corporate identity. The way that we dress demarcates our position and role. Where I work, the men must wear business like shirts, ties and, of course, trousers. The senior staff all wear suits which separate them from the rest of us.

In my social group at the pub in the evening, jeans, trainers, T shirts and jumpers are the norm, but some level of individuality is tolerated. I often wear a skirt but no-one else ever does so I am using my individuality to show that I stand apart from the group in that respect.

I think what we wear reflects and reinforces our social role and position and gives us a strong sense of identity and belonging. To break the dress code is to risk banishment from the group. This must be one good reason why the idea of stepping outside the group by wearing a skirt.......seen as belonging to a different group but with no intention of joining that group even if it were possible, may make us loners, takes such a lot of nerve and causes so much brain ache and anguish.

Derek