What inspired you to wear a skirt anyway?

[denimini]

It wasn't by being posessed or inspired, more by accident initiated by a humorous partner. As stated in my intro, I would often say to my partner, Heather, that I would "do it in a mini" or "be there in a mini" (an abrieviation of minute) and then take ages or forget. One day she came home with a mini skirt and said "here, you can get all those jobs done now", and insisted I try it on. I was hooked; it felt great. Until then I was happy enough in my stubbies (shorts). Now for 7 or 8 months of the year I wear a mini skirt about 75% of the time, probably 99% of the time where I would normally have worn shorts.
This forum was a big help for me to wearing a skirt in public.

[skirtingtoday]

What gave you the idea to even consider trying on a skirt in the first place?
To answer as many as possible of the original questions:-

1 What gave you the idea to even consider trying on a skirt in the first place?
I have worn my sisters miniskirts (when they FIRST came out in the 60's) when I was a teenager but totally in secret and when alone in the house. Then nothing skirted for about 35+ years. Then I was at a ceilidh and hired a kilt (2005, aged 50), liked it, and bought my own shortly thereafter (aged 51). I didn't think about skirts but our son confirmed that he was at an LGBT party and had dressed in a black PVC miniskirt, a clingy leopard print (Ladies) top and had his makeup done by one of the girls in his accommodation block. This was about 2008 (aged 53) (The following year it was a sparkly pink sequened miniskirt with pink leggings.) I started to wonder if it was possible for a bloke to wear a skirt, not at a fancy dress party, and "get away with it! A quick search on the internet found this and another similar site which gave me confidence to "give it a go."

2 How long before you had that idea did you actually give it a go?
Can't remember exactly but probably around 6 months from above outings of my son, allowing time to order a skirt (which was denim mini ~14" long)

3 How long have you been doing this? (public and/or privately)
I had a kilt for a few years (circa 2005) but didn't think about skirts or wearing them until about 2008 or thereby

4 Was there any resistance with family, friends, co-workers, etc?
From my son, none but the wife whilst initially was OK with it in the house, changed her mind and there was a lot of friction (nuff said).
No resistance or comments from co-workers or neighbours who have seen me skirted.

5 Where was the first place you went out in public?
Petron filling station on a Motorway (UK road similar to US freeway)

6 What was the general reaction (in public)?
A few double takes but almost with no reaction at all. (one wolf whistle though! And quite a few positive comments mainly women but a few from men too.)

7 In regards to the public outing, where? (city/state or city/nation for those outside the U.S.)
Initially well away from home but recently I now go down to the local shops, supermarkets, DIY shops, hairdressers, dentist etc

8 What are your favorite style skirts? (Length, shape, womens, or kilt, traditional kilt, or something like the "UK")
Short! Always above the knee but most commonly mid-thigh to mini-skirt length generally woman's skirts. I have 2 UK's, a tartan kilt, several cargo skirts as well as several short minis.
(Also ordered a Skirtcraft (unisex skirt) which should arrive in about a week or two)

9 Do you "freestyle"? (experiment with different clothing styles) Or is it strictly skirts?
Strictly skirts for me but with tights (not just black but coloured!) in colder weather. Top half always from gents side of the aisle.

Ross

(Edited to include the first question!)

[skirtingtheissue]

What gave you the idea to even consider trying on a skirt in the first place?

At about age 13 I discovered an erotic attachment to women's clothes, particularly underwear and notably slips and half slips. This began many years of what I recognize was a fetish, in that the eroticism was the most important element, but I loved the "freedom of expression" of wearing anything I liked when I had the house to myself. Skirts were not on my radar. Fast forward to my forties, when I began to realize that I did feel a need to express some femininity that was within me. I began to wear women's pants and shorts and occasionally tops and jewelry. It was fun shopping on the "other side of the aisle". Never considered skirts until at approximately age 50 I saw a friend wear a skirt. We were at a naturist gathering preparing to hike the Appalachian Trail nude (the Summer Solstice tradition), but of course you can't get out of your car nude and start hiking, so to get from the road well onto the trail my friend wore a tartan-like flimsy skirt (not a kilt but sort of resembling one). That seemed really fun. I bought some skirts and wore them at the Gathering in following years when it was too chilly to be nude. Then about 2011 (age 57) I Discovered Skirt Cafe, which was definitely the strongest influence in prompting me to venture out into the world skirted.

How long AFTER you had that idea did you actually give it a go? Where was the first place you went out in public?

The following summer (a few months later) I decided to stroll around Cambridge, Mass. in a plain green corduroy knee-length skirt. I had butterflies in my stomach until I passed about 10 people, none of whom showed the slightest reaction. After that it was "So, what's the big deal? Why didn't I try this before? This is so much fun!" I was hooked!

How long have you been doing this? (public and/or privately)

Publicly, 3 years and 4 months. Privately, a few years more.

Was there any resistance with family, friends, co-workers, etc?

I didn't want to shock people so I used a step-by-step approach to avoid any possible resistance. First I wore an Elkommando kilt, and several friends commented, leading to some nice conversations. Then I wore plain above-the-knee hiking skirts, then gradually assembling a wardrobe of varied styles including longer or more feminine styles. This evolution has minimized any impact on friends and family. MOH has no resistance to the plainer above-the-knee styles.

What was the general reaction (in public)?

Hardly any reaction except for occasional glances down and compliments like "Nice look!". In 3+ years, only a couple rude remarks like "Hey, you're wearing a skirt! Look! He's wearing a skirt!" in Hollywood CA.

In regards to the public outing, where? (city/state)

Everywhere I am during the warm months!

What are your favorite style skirts? (Length, shape, womens, or kilt, traditional kilt, or something like the "UK")

Favorites for everyday wear are women's A-line shape from just below the knee to about 4" above, plain fabric, with pockets; sometimes like longer/more flowy styles. Love the Style J skirts.

Do you "freestyle"? (experiment with different clothing styles) Or is it strictly skirts?

Like wearing shirts from "across the aisle" but most of my shirts are men's. Like wearing women's jewelry and like carrying a purse when I don't have pockets.

Feel free elaborate any additional commentary.

The erotic element I once found in women's clothes has long disappeared. Skirt wearing simply makes me feel more like who I really am (not to mention they're super comfortable). I like wearing skirts "despite them being women's clothes" AND ALSO "because they're women's clothes". Men's wear is boring to shop for and boring to wear; with skirts both activities are fun. And I owe much to Skirt Cafe being a very positive force in my later life, since it spurred me into finding unexpected happiness.

[moonshadow]

when I began to realize that I did feel a need to express some femininity that was within me.

I think that may have been one of my subconscious reasons as well. Not so much to outright "be a woman", but rather to explore some of the repressed ideas I've kicked around my entire life.

Like wearing women's jewelry and like carrying a purse when I don't have pockets.

Women's jewelry is something I've considered. Maybe some nice bracelets and necklaces. (of course I almost always wear my pentacle necklace anyway) Necklaces then again aren't really strictly for women only, I see men all the time wearing them. Bracelets on the other hand (no pun intended) sound like fun! Anklets too. May have to check into this this week.

As far as a purse go, my wife gave me one of her old ones and I use it all the time when skirted. In fact, I would even use it when wearing trousers if I actually wore trousers in my off time. They are very handy, and it's nice not having to fit everything in a pocket. Now even with skirts that have pockets, I seldom use them.

I like wearing skirts "despite them being women's clothes" AND ALSO "because they're women's clothes". Men's wear is boring to shop for and boring to wear; with skirts both activities are fun. And I owe much to Skirt Cafe being a very positive force in my later life, since it spurred me into finding unexpected happiness.

May I say I agree with this 200%! And would also like to extend my gratitude to the members of skirt-cafe. I admit I have spent a lot of time on this site since I started skirting, but its because this is the best place I can think of to exchange ideas, learn from the pro's, and also find support while I explore this taboo subject.

...

Keep them coming. I may not have responded to each submission but I am reading them all, and am finding inspiration in almost everything written. I'm sure others are as well.

[skirtingtoday]

Just realised that I had missed off the first question but have now edited my post above including it.

[Caultron]

What gave you the idea to even consider trying on a skirt in the first place?

I suppose it all started back in the 1960’s when I started wearing "mod" fashion like ruffled shirts, bell-bottom pants, and slightly elevated heels. It just seemed like fun challenging the gender stereotypes.

In 1971-74, when I was in the Army, I found that I liked wearing nylon underwear. During this period I also bought a pair of men’s high heels which were, remarkably, for sale on-base at the post exchange in Germany.

Occasionally after that I tried wearing pantyhose under my men’s socks and pants, but I never told my wife, and so I could only put them on when she was out and there was a good chance of privacy for taking them off later. After a while I gave it up as too much trouble.

A few times when I was home alone I tried on some of my wife’s skirts and dresses but the fit was terrible and wearing them for five minutes at a time wasn’t very satisfying.

Early in the 1980’s I started fantasizing about wearing a skirt in public. For some reason it was always a navy blue knee-length pleated skirt. I never followed through in reality thopugh, and that was it, only from the waist down, top half 100% male (myself).

How long before you had that idea did you actually give it a go?

I suppose maybe 8-10 years ago I came across mention of utility kilts and that seemed very interesting – a skirt that was actually bona fide men’s garment. However, prices in the $250 range really put me off.

About three years ago I came across the idea of buying skirts at thrift stores, and I did that, but I only wore them when I was home alone.

Then, about two and a half years ago, however, I found a black utility kilt on sale from a shop in Scotland, making the total price with shipping about $80, and that was my first purchase.

I joined this board at just about the same time.

How long have you been doing this? (public and/or privately)

Two and a half years.

Was there any resistance with family, friends, co-workers, etc?

Only from my wife, who was originally pretty negative.

Over the space of a few months, however, she progressed to a state of grudging acceptance. She puts up with me wearing a utility kilt, tights, and heels anywhere except when we’re out together, when I’m taking my daily walk around the neighborhood, and at Mass.

But taking my walk in a park half a mile from our house is OK, as is appearing kilted in local stores, as is attending church functions other than Mass.

Where was the first place you went out in public?

At a tattoo convention in Phoenix, Arizona. The date was February 20, 2013.

What was the general reaction (in public)?

From general acceptance to praise and enthusiastic support (“Hey, rockin' that kilt, man!). Tattoo conventions are, of course, counter-cultural events.

My back piece won first prize in that category though, and while what you wear isn’t suppose to affect the judging, I think it contributed.

Here's a photo. That's my daughter holding the award.

14752_566123976745509_1183724906_n.jpg

In regards to the public outing, where? (city/state or city/nation for those outside the U.S.)

Phoenix, Arizona.

What are your favorite style skirts? (Length, shape, womens, or kilt, traditional kilt, or something like the "UK")

Utility kilts and knee-length a-lines.

I currently have fifteen utility kilts and 10 a-lines, but almost never wear the a-lines. Part of it is because kilts are menswear and a-lines womens, part because of the potential reaction from my wife, and part because of no pockets and the need to carry (gasp) a bag.

That’s about to change, though, because I just ordered two pleated knee-length plaid skirts, one black, red, and white and the other gray and black. And I just recently bought a purse (oh, excuse me, a unisex messenger bag) on the euphemism of it being a carrying case for my iPad.

I've had the bag out in public and of course there were no fashion police, black helicopters, or circles of people pointing and laughing. I think once they get past the kilt, the tights, and the heels, the bag just seems natural.

Do you "freestyle"? (experiment with different clothing styles) Or is it strictly skirts?

I also wear tights and high heels, but strictly menswear from the waist up. I am wearing a wider range of menswear styles and colors, though, to assemble a complete look.

[rick401r]

As I posted long ago, I got my first skirt quite by accident. There was a free table at work. On was a nicely folded, what I thought was a flowered, button down Hawaiian shirt. When I got it home I found it was a button down flowered skirt. I put it on as a joke. I soon learned how comfortable a skirt was. I wore it often but only in the confines of home. I wanted to wear one in public but my wife wouldn't hear of it. So I suggested a kilt which she was ok with. Now days I wear one of several kilts but at home I quickly change into one of my skirts, usually a knee length denim. I wear it indoors and out within the confines of my property line.

[dillon]

What gave you the idea to even consider trying on a skirt in the first place?

That question may require years of expensive psychoanalysis to ever really answer, and I'm not exactly a psychologist, but I will take a stab at it. They say a man who acts as his own lawyer has a fool for a client, so I suppose it could be said that the man who acts as his own analyst has a fool for a patient. I've had a sort of harmless fascination with all things female ever since puberty, which I have always supposed was a basic misdirected sexual attraction to women, in that it may border at a technical level as fetishistic, though not directed at any one specific garment or class of garments, as does a classical fetish. Rather I just love women; I love how they look, how they move, how they smile and giggle, and oh so much more. Exactly what the connection between this and my desire to adopt those elements into my own life may be, I cannot define, save to say that it is undeniably related. But I really don't have the urge to impersonate a woman, but only to share some measure of their world, I think. Male elements dominate my thinking and feeling way to much for me to ever identify as trans-, and thats\'s aside from my size and build making the idea virtually impossible. It just isn't on the radar screen of my psyche; yet there exists some element of femininity in my subconscious exerting an influence, and which I'm sure I'm trying to touch. So as best as I can explain, that's where I'm coming from. A lot of the correspondents on this site consistently state that their attraction to skirts is solely about comfort, but I personally question that self-assessment, and think there may be some self-denial involved. After all, something moved each of us to try on that skirt the first time...

How long before you had that idea did you actually give it a go?

I was a couple years into college before I began to experiment with things that were verbotten to the typical Carolina he-man. The first was ballet. I was dating a girl who took ballet at an off-campus studio, and when a series of non-academic workshops was offered in the evenings in the University gym, I participated in some with her - in a shorts and tee shirt PE uniform at that time - and I basically sucked at it, but I had loved the classes. I began to study on my own a lot of the body dynamics of dance - stretching and flexibility, basically - and maybe a year later I took a Master Class with a well-known modern choreographer, whose name I have forgotten in my advanced age. That class was liberating, because it was really my first exposure to the concept that there was an entire world outside the bounds of "rules-of-the-game" thinking, which is something almost inescapable for most men; it showed me that movement could be done for the sake of aesthetic and sheer joy, and not just to accomplish something that put points on a scoreboard. I know this seems to have little to do with my adoption of skirts a quarter of a century later, but it does, because it was fundamental to the shaping of my present mind, of my consciousness. Remember too that these were the early 1980s, the downslope of the social experimentation of the 1970s, before we bottomed out on the hard concrete of Reaganism. After college, in my grad school years, I took a couple years of dance classes with a local modern dance company, in which time I became bold enough to dress in tights and unitards, and bike to and from class in them. But I digress.

It was a girlfriend I had, who, when we parted ways, had discarded a lycra leotard/swimsuit and matching wrap skirt among other things she had cleaned out as she moved out of the house we shared for a couple years. I salvaged the garments, and found myself trying them on; I was young and skinny back then, a virtual shadow of myself today, and the deteriorated fabric which had made the leotard too lose and thin on her body, left it fitting mine. I had horrid self-recriminations for having donned these things, despite the fact that the only essential difference between the men's leotards I owned and this one was the word MENS on the tag. The skirt, of course was a new experience, and the look of having wrapped and tied that simple Danskin skirt around my waist never left my mind. At any rate, life happened. I had a series of knee injuries and it ended dance as a recreation for me, and I also suffered prolonged depression due to the dissolution of my relationship with the aforementioned GF. Though she was the most sensitive and progressive person I knew at that time, I think even she was perhaps not comfortable with a BF who was the sort of enigma that I became; a man who was as commonly masculine as any other truck-drivin', beer-chuggin' redneck, yet had a side to him that suggested the emergence of femininity. Coupled with my self-centered view of the world, my lack of personal maturity, and my general frustration with student poverty, I guess it was too much for her. It hurt badly, but I knew I had issues, and I couldn't and don't blame her for splitting.

Fast forward six years; I'm marrying the woman who is now my life and my best friend. She knew I had a box full of old male dance belts and tights and ballet shoes, none of which fit that well any more, but that I still wouldn't toss out, making it clear to her that there was a time in my life when it was important to me and that I intended to return to that past-time. But I never did...kids, work, home repairs, etc. all came first. But I also knew I was not 100% masculine, but also not feminine in any outward way. And fully heterosexual, though that has almost nothing to do with gender identity.

Fast forward fifteen more years: New job, new home, nice little town, kids doing well and heading into the high school age range. I don't know what triggered me to buy my first two skirts in a Ross store...the cheap price of them I guess. I just saw them hanging on the end of the fat-lady rack and was drawn there. I certainly had not come to look for anything like that. So wearing them was a hidden guilty delight, and I couldn't imagine going public in one, though both were fairly "masculine" styled...one denim, one camo. Eventually I did let my wife in on it, and even though she was by then used to my odd fashions for yard work, usually tights with shorts, it didnt go over too well. So when I stepped out in a camo skirt, once she stopped laughing, I could see she was shocked. I will dispense with the numerous discussions and questions that followed, and for a couple years my skirts were confined to the house and back yard. And frankly, not because of her, but because I still had a lot to work out in my own head. Soon thereafter, I first found SkirtCafe, and it did much to make my life easier. And I wore them out in public. I didn't feel like I was nuts after finding this site, or at least I didn't feel like the ONLY nut, LOL. I was here a while as "Sasquatch" and regularly ranted and raved, often locking horns with Skip and others. That was about seven years ago, maybe, but I suffer from CRS, so years slip by me.

Then more life happened, and I fell away from the Cafe, and from path toward skirtedness; some involved trying to run the small family farm and hold down a career at the same time, and also the disabilities and deaths of my aged parents. But I returned to both my skirts and the Cafe, and have not looked back. My life is hardly free of self-doubt, in many aspects, but I know who and how I am, and am not merely comfortable with myself, but delighted with life. My kids are great and so is my marriage. I have lots of other life matters to deal with, but they too shall pass.

How long have you been doing this? (public and/or privately)

I guess I answered this one in the previous biography, LOL.

Was there any resistance with family, friends, co-workers, etc?

Yes. Wife and kids at first, but they came around, once it became apparent that only the clothes had changed and grumpy old Dad was still the same. And there are still family and professional colleagues who do not know about my fashion preferences; nor shall they. It is my own business to share it with whom I choose. Right now its close family, close friends, and neighbors.

Where was the first place you went out in public?

A favorite spot on the Sound where I once liked to go fishing. It was frequented by a lot of fishermen and families.

What was the general reaction (in public)?

No major reaction, but of course, I could sense that some passers-by were uncomfortable. Women would often speak, men not usually. But I also think it was out of curiosity more than anything. Not much has changed in that regard. Some people are more curious than others, some just don't care, others avoid me like the plague.

In regards to the public outing, where? (city/state or city/nation for those outside the U.S.)

Locally. I'm about forty-five minutes from the beach.

What are your favorite style skirts? (Length, shape, womens, or kilt, traditional kilt, or something like the "UK")

I think that was covered in another post somewhere.

Do you "freestyle"? (experiment with different clothing styles) Or is it strictly skirts?

I tend to be only slightly less style-ignorant skirted, than I am trousered, so my color choices have not changed a lot. Admittedly, a few of my skirts have elements that are classically feminine, such as ruching on several, and sheer lace on a couple. But the ones I wear most are either "outdoor" styed, or corduroy, wool, denim, and often stretch synthetic fabrics. But aside from a couple brightly patterned ones, most are monotone and either earth tones or black.

As for other clothing, I like tights and leggings and have a dresser drawer full of them. I often wear capri and yoga type tights to the gym. And I have a one-piece swimsuit which I have coupled with a skirt on long walks at the beach. Also have some "skinny" stretch pants made for females. And a corset in the back of a drawer somewhere. But nothing really flamboyant.

[pelmut]

When I first moved into my house, there were no curtains and I couldn't affort to buy any, so I decided I would have to make them myself. My mother had been a keen dressmaker and I had picked up the rudiments of sewing from her. Luckily I had found some secondhand curtains that only needed relining, so it wasn't too difficult to unpick them and re-make them with new linings.

One day shortly afterwards, my girlfriend and I went to the shops to choose a skirt for her Christmas present. I looked at the way they were made and foolishly commented that they looked easier to make than curtains - so she took me at my word, chose a pattern and some material and gave me her measurements. To my surprise, the skirt proved acceptable and my confidence at sewing increased.

While I still had the sewing machine set up, my curiosity about how it felt to wear a skirt got the better of me, so I took a bit of black cotton material and made a simple skirt in my size. I was amazed at how comfortable it felt, particularly as I had never been happy wearing long trousers, so I made another - and another. Of course, this made me more aware of the types of skirts women wore and the fabrics and patterns, so I began to experiment, but never wore a skirt outside the house.

My father had a key to my house and one day the inevitable happened: he let himself in and found me wearing one of my long warm jersey-knit skirts. He seemed mildly curious, but accepted my (perfectly true) explanation that it was a lot warmer than trousers in the cold weather. From then on, I didn't hide my skirt-wearing from the family.

The next step was to find a skirt I could wear for folk dancing in hot weather. A short skirt would have been out of the question at that time, 25 years ago, but a kilt was acceptable - nevertheless, I did get quite a bit of leg pulling (mainly metaphorically) and had to teach myself how to handle it. Gradually I extended my kilt wearing until I was quite happy to be seen wearing one in public. It wasn't until about 4 years ago that I began wearing a long black flowing skirt for some of the dances, but I still changed back into the kilt outside the dance.

Finally, encouraged by the positive comments on this group, I tried wearing one of my denim skirts to a local supermarket - zero reaction - so I have worn skirts in public ever since.

[jeanfor]

I was just curious and thought it would make sense to wear one since men used to wear skirts in the past. That was 5 years ago. Already there were quite a number of discussions about that subject on the internet and it really motivated me. Nodaway it is way easier....

[skirts4me]

When (if) I get the time I'll write a more complete answer to the set of questions posed by moonshadow, but here's a start:

When I left the UK to travel half way around the world we had to dig the car out of six inches of snow. When the family arrive in Perth three weeks later it was about 37°C, and when I started school over here it hit 40°. I was sweating profusely, and embarrassed by large wet patches after I'd been sitting down. I "borrowed" one of my sister's skirts and was hooked. Even if my undies were sweaty the breeze could cry them out quickly.

You'll have to wait for the rest of the story.

[Couya]

What gave you the idea to even consider trying on a skirt in the first place?

The wish to wear something lighter than many meters of pleated wool (assuming that "kilts are not skirts").

How long have you been doing this? (public and/or privately)

12 -13 years, publicly; never privately.

Was there any resistance with family, friends, co-workers, etc?

Wife's family regarded me as an oddity, but never said anything bad.

Where was the first place you went out in public?

Shopping a big hardware store.

What was the general reaction (in public)?

Looks and stares, of course.

In regards to the public outing, where?

Grenoble, France.

What are your favorite style skirts?

Plain denim wrap, knee length or a little shorter. Scottish kilts in winter.

Do you "freestyle"? (experiment with different clothing styles)

No.

Martin

[skirts4me]

What gave you the idea to even consider trying on a skirt in the first place?
Answered a couple of days ago (see my previous posting)

How long before you had that idea did you actually give it a go?
I had to wait for a chance to “borrow” a skirt, but that was probably only a day or so

How long have you been doing this? (public and/or privately)
For the first couple of years I would wear a skirt around the house and garden when I was home alone. After that I started being more open, going to small shops some distance from home, and gradually expanded to regular wearing: shopping, public transport, church, work and eventually to being interviewed for newspapers, TV and radio. A big dampener was put on my skirt wearing when I was an ordination candidate and under Bishop’s orders not to wear a skirt when on church duties or where people from the church would see me.

Was there any resistance with family, friends, co-workers, etc?
There was significant resistance from most of my family. Few of my friends at the time knew. Of the fifty or so co-workers I had when wearing skirts at work only two showed any opposition, but there were others who were very encouraging. My wife knew about my skirt wearing, before we were married, and has been a strong supporter of the cause.

Where was the first place you went out in public?
My first ventures into a public spot were walking a hundred metres or so along my street, up the main road and then back, at night, when there was little traffic.

What was the general reaction (in public)?
When I started wearing skirts where people could see me as a male in a skirt I would get smiles and the occasional “men don’t wear skirts” comment. Later there were far fewer reactions with most people appearing not to notice, and others seeming not to care. Notable exceptions were some school children expressing to me that they thought the idea was “cool”, one parent from the school for which I provided a bus service saying she didn’t recognise me at first without a skirt on, the quite frequent complements after being interviewed for a TV current affairs programme, and opposition from two priests to me wearing skirts at their church.

In regards to the public outing, where? (city/state or city/nation for those outside the U.S.)
My public outings in a skirt have been in many parts of Australia and in the UK. I’ve been skirted in planes, trains, trams, buses, universities, schools, radio stations, shopping centres, medical centres, cathedrals and parish churches, holiday centres and much more.

What are your favourite style skirts? (Length, shape, women’s, or kilt, traditional kilt, or something like the "UK")
My favourites are A-line, just above knee length, preferably made for a masculine figure, with pockets, front zip and belt loops, in solid colours normally associated with men or which work well for men. In extreme heat I’ll wear a much looser box-pleated skirt. I have two denim skirts bought in the women’s section of a store, and a few made specifically for me. I wore my Stewart tartan kilt on my wedding day, and have used it several times since.

Do you "freestyle"? (experiment with different clothing styles) Or is it strictly skirts?
The only real experimenting I do with different items is trying to find a combination of tops, footwear and leg-wear which looks good with a particular skirt. Sandals have been the most difficult as men’s ones tend to be like snow shoes against a skirt, and women’s ones are often too frilly for my liking. In another 50 years those same sandals may well be regular in the menswear stores, but I won’t be around to know.

I remember taking some photos of me in a skirt in the early days, but trying to find them might be hard, given that I’ve moved quite a bit.

[johnb]

In answering these I realised that I never kept any specific notes regarding my skirting activities, so I had to go back through other part related items to find dates and some other info, which was an interesting exercise.

What gave you the idea to even consider trying on a skirt in the first place?

I'm a Naturist and in 2008 I went out with a Naturist walking group. One of the requirements is that having undressed at a suitable point in the walk one needs to have something for a quick cover up should other members of the public be encountered. I used a pair of shorts, but I noticed that one or two others had skirts or lightweight kilts. I could also see that trying to pull on shorts quickly over muddy boots wouldn't be easy. So I could see the advantage of having a sarong or some sort of wrap around skirt.

How long before you had that idea did you actually give it a go?

So by the time I went walking with them again, or certainly by 2009, I'd brought a sarong. Having tried it once I quickly realised how comfortable it was, the freedom, and the pleasure of feeling the breeze around ones legs. Not long afterwards my wife's friend made a wrap around skirt for me out of some old camouflage material, this was secured with press studs and I found it was quicker to put on. Also for Christmas 2009 I brought myself my first utility type kilt, a Blakadder one.

How long have you been doing this? (public and/or privately)

I started in 2008/9, on the aforementioned walks, which were sort of public, but probably not in the way you mean.

Was there any resistance with family, friends, co-workers, etc?

My wife was ok with my wearing them so as far the walks went, and at home, and did indeed ask her friend if she would make the wrap around skirts for me. She has to date made me about eight of them. Outside of the house and beyond the front garden though has been a different story, initially she wasn't happy at all. Now if I'm not going with her, and depending to some extent on where I'm going, she is more relaxed especially if I'm wearing a utility type kilt. I

I've been retired since 2010, and never wore skirts to work prior to that time. Regarding friends, some are aware, and other aren't.

Where was the first place you went out in public?

Other than on the walks I suppose it was when wore a black utility type kilt in Blackpool in early 2010, and was wolf whistled.

What was the general reaction (in public)?

Aside from the above most people don't really seem to notice. You occasionally get the odd one giving an extended glance. I've gradually been out and about more over the years.

What are your favourite style skirts? (Length, shape, women's, or kilt, traditional kilt, or something like the "UK")

The wrap around type, going down to, or just below my knees. I've eight now. I also like wearing a utility type kilt, I've three, although one of them gets the most use.

Do you "freestyle"? (experiment with different clothing styles) Or is it strictly skirts?
It is really just skirts.

So far as pictures go I have posted a few in previous posts.

John

[jaycee]

Very briefly:-

I'd wanted to wear a skirt since I was about 5 years old. Nothing inspired me. I just wanted to wear a skirt, even at that age. I didn't actually wear one until I was a teenager and I didn't own one until I was 24. Over the years I've been wearing them more and more and I can honestly say that I wear a skirt at some time every day of the year nowadays and I'm never in trousers in my own home unless doing DIY or something similar.

I do go out in public in a skirt but I'm a wimp. I wear a knee-length skirt, wrap a jumper round the back and hold a lightweight jacket or similar at the front so it's not obvious what I'm wearing. I think a few people have noticed anyway but its never caused me a problem.

I almost exclusively wear skirts made by Diesel. They are nylon, a bit like a waterproof material, with padding in between inner and outer nylon layers. They are warm in Winter, ok in Summer and feel really nice to wear. They have an elasticated waist and fit a male body very nicely. I get them off eBay but they are becoming rarer. They were over £60 new but I usually pick them up for £10 or less because, as a female friend told me, "no woman would be seen dead in one of those!" Sounds perfect to me.

About a dozen female friends know I wear skirts. None has a problem with it (except my ex-wife) including a few I've had a relationship with, and one family member (a cousin) also knows. To my knowledge, no male friends know and I wouldn't want them to, if I'm honest. I'm aware that my daughter knows but although we get on great, I'm not sure she'd be happy to see me in a skirt. It's not a topic that's ever come up in conversation.

One of these days I'll build up the courage to post a photo on here!