What inspired you to wear a skirt anyway?

[chris_uk]

I've been lurking and reading posts for a couple of years, and this post seems as good as any other to dive in and post for the first time.

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

I have always loved seeing well dressed women, and those tight fitting pencil skirts just looked great on them!

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

About 4 years ago, on the way back from a long trip, i stopped at a supermarket and was browsing the clothes and i saw a cheap black pencil skirt, and on an impulse i bought it.

When i got it home and tried it on, it was like one of those a light bulb moments. It felt and looked good, and I loved walking with my gait slightly impaired by the skirt, and feeling the material.

It wasn't long before I bought a second (and longer pencil skirt), and after that i discovered those black opaque tights that many women wear. Now I have several other skirts, including a green woollen one, which i saw a woman wearing the same skirt in a coffee shop soon afterwards. On a rare trip in London, i wanted a pink skirt from a fashionable chain of stores, and had to ask a male assistant for help in finding it!

I have to thank people in this forum for their sensible voice for guys like me who have a second side.

[Caultron]

I've been lurking and reading posts for a couple of years, and this post seems as good as any other to dive in and post for the first time...

Thanks for joining the board, Chris.

Where do you wear your skirts, and how often?

[skirtingtheissue]

... It felt and looked good, and I loved walking with my gait slightly impaired by the skirt, and feeling the material.

Welcome, and thanks for your input! That is indeed one of the fun things about skirts... the fabric feels so different that it gives constant reminders throughout the day that you are in a skirt. The pencil style doesn't work too well for me (I take long strides) but I love being conscious of the feelings. But the more I wear skirts, the more I forget I have one on.

[6ft3Aussie]

For me, I was in the Solomon Islands for a couple of weeks, where I spent time in some very remote places, where most of the people there wore lavalavas and sarongs.
They were very cheap and so I bought one to wear while there, and straight away found it much cooler and more comfortable.
Think of 32° and 90% humidity, and not a lot of breeze much of the time.

I've had a few since then, and often wear a sarong around the house in the evenings in the warmer months... We have about 6 months a year of summer in QLD, Australia..

[JeffB1959]

Q: What gave you the idea to even consider trying on a skirt in the first place?
A: Curiosity for the most part, I thought it might be something fun to do. What began as a lark has became a delightful passion as I came to realize, much to my pleasant surprise, that I look damn good in a skirt in the way they compliment my long legs, and I love wearing them as much as I can.

Q; How long have you been doing this? (public and/or privately)
A: I've been wearing skirts in public since 2008, and it's been great fun, especially when it came to places I've been, crowded downtown areas, shopping malls, even New York City once, and that was a blast! Every time I go out in public in a skirt is a brand new adventure, and that's a real thrill for me, one that's yet to get old for me, and never will!

Q: Where was the first place you went out in public?
A: A strip mall in the suburbs in September of 2008. Went into a bookstore, then a fast food joint for lunch. I was nervous at first, but I calmed down and enjoyed the outing.

Q: What was the general reaction (in public)?
A: None for the most part. There were a couple of stares and turned heads on that first outing, but nothing more than that. Seven years later, nothing has changed, I still go just about anywhere I like and few give me so much as the time of day, heck, every now and then, I've even gotten a compliment when in a skirt, and that's a great feeling.

Q: What are your favorite style skirts? (Length, shape, womens, or kilt, traditional kilt, or something like the "UK")
A: I have many favorites, but I like denim pencil skirts that end above the knee the most. I also enjoy denim miniskirts (as short as 15 inches) which allows me to show off my legs. Light, gauzy maxiskirts are fun to wear during summer and I have several of them, then there's long, heavy, calf length A-line skirts which go together well with knee high, heeled boots in fall and winter.

Q: Do you "freestyle"? (experiment with different clothing styles) Or is it strictly skirts?
A: Oh, I most definitely freestyle on my outings, for me, it's the only way to go as I wear women's tops, shoes, accessories, hosiery, even handbags. I don't feel dressed on an outing without a purse. For me, it's not just about the skirt, but rather a complete head to toe image, and I go to great lengths to make sure I look my best to present a proper, tasteful and positive image.

[skirts4me]

I've been lurking and reading posts for a couple of years, and this post seems as good as any other to dive in and post for the first time.

Welcome from me too, sweating in sunny Perth - that's Australia, not Scotland, or Canada, or anywhere else - where, having set a new record for 30+ maxima in September and October could set one for November too. It's good skirt weather!!!

[skirts4me]

I most definitely freestyle on my outings, for me, it's the only way to go as I wear women's tops, shoes, accessories, hosiery, even handbags. I don't feel dressed on an outing without a purse. For me, it's not just about the skirt, but rather a complete head to toe image, and I go to great lengths to make sure I look my best to present a proper, tasteful and positive image.

Hi Jeff,

I don't wish to criticise you for your choice of attire - that's entirely up to you and I applaud your willingness to be public in a skirt. The level of reaction might, however, be associated with how much you are wearing that is traditionally considered women's attire. I suspect that many will look at you as a transvestite, rather than a man in a skirt. In some places that will elicit a quite hostile reaction. I look forward to the day we can all choose what we want to wear with no gender-based discrimination, but I think that we'll get more men in skirts by taking what men already wear and shifting that image bit by bit. A few years back I had a pair of shorts in the same material and colour, and of the same length, as a skirt which had been made for me. Many people thought I was wearing my shorts when I was actually wearing the skirt, and when they realised they were quite accepting. One problem overcome there is the inculcated image of a man wearing a frilly pink tutu, or something similar: when reality strikes it's not as bad as some expect. On the other hand, I see reports about men wearing clothes more frequently seen on women and the comments have been quite negative towards the men-in-skirts movement as a whole. Each to his own, though, and what works in your area might not work in mine, and vice versa.

[Caultron]

...I see reports about men wearing clothes more frequently seen on women and the comments have been quite negative towards the men-in-skirts movement as a whole...

I suppose it depends on which reports you happen to read, but I haven't noticed much negativity regarding men in skirts. Incredulity, perhaps, but usually coupled with freedom to each person to dress as they choose and the possibility that it might just catch on

[renesm1]

...I see reports about men wearing clothes more frequently seen on women and the comments have been quite negative towards the men-in-skirts movement as a whole...

I suppose it depends on which reports you happen to read, but I haven't noticed much negativity regarding men in skirts. Incredulity, perhaps, but usually coupled with freedom to each person to dress as they choose and the possibility that it might just catch on

I have to say that when you filter out articles from years ago, I see more and more positivity about men in skirts than in previous years.

It used to be negative ("men in skirts look silly"), but now it is more "if a man want's to wear a skirt let him".

[Caultron]

...It used to be negative ("men in skirts look silly"), but now it is more "if a man want's to wear a skirt let him".

Yes, exactly.

[Ray]

All I'll say is that Jeff rocks the look. He's still identifiably male and looks great in his outfits.

[skirted_in_SF]

I usually get at least one positive comment from a young woman every couple of weeks. Generally along the lines of "I like your look." Most recently yesterday at the end of my block as I was walking toward the store. Someday I'll be alert enough to say something besides thank you.

[moonshadow]

Someday I'll be alert enough to say something besides thank you.

You know, I've given this some thought in an effort to rehearse something with a little more pop... yet I can't come up with anything better than the simple "thanks", or "thank you".

[GothScot]

What gave you the idea to even consider trying on a skirt in the first place?
***Saw a comic book where a guy was in what looked like a ground-length orange skirt, but I also envied the girls in school as most of us probably did. Saw a lot of men in drag on TV (it was the 1980s after all).
How long before you had that idea did you actually give it a go?
***Must've been about twelve where I pulled one on over my jeans. Fourteen when I finally went sans trousers. And I'd compare it to what Kesey and the Beatles said about trying acid (not that I condone that), but it IS opening a door that will never be shut again and you don't want to. It becomes compulsory, which might be a dirty word for some, but as I read in an online TG narrative site, "it feels right to me somehow."
How long have you been doing this? (public and/or privately)
***26 years.
Was there any resistance with family, friends, co-workers, etc?
***Godson won't speak to me anymore. His mom slowly also faded away. That hurt. Parental unit found my borrowed stash annnnnnnd it quietly went to the Salvation Army without a word said. Think da 'rent figured it a phase. Ex-gf moved from supportive to the point of sewing me clothing/insisting I pull on a skirt as it improved my confidence, calmed me down and made me a lot more "fun" to keep it G-rated to repulsed by the sight of me skirted, which was hard to get happy after. I must say the one person, a deeply religious woman who I worked with, I thought she'd have the most severe reaction, but she has been one of the biggest supporters of my, it's not a choice because it doesn't feel right NOT wearing one, genetic imperative to rock the long skirts.
Where was the first place you went out in public?
***The office.
What was the general reaction (in public)?
***Sour milk face. Homophobic reactions.
In regards to the public outing, where? (city/state or city/nation for those outside the U.S.)
***Only ventured out in my goth skirts around Chicago and the suburbs. Still scared to death because it was ground-length, tight, and very hard to run in if pursued by good ol' boys (Yes, they exist around Lake Michigan).
What are your favorite style skirts? (Length, shape, womens, or kilt, traditional kilt, or something like the "UK")
***Ankle-length (though the ex liked when I'd wear something above the knee. Claimed I had great legs). Usually denim as I consider that my political statement against the denim-skirted, hair as long as my hemlines sort that preaches hate around the area. Do have a few of the black knit maxi skirts which I love but tend to "enjoy" too much, if I can be euphemistic here. The ex sewed me this really long and billowy khaki drop yoke like Pam Dawber wore in the opening credits of Mork and Mindy. LOVE IT.
Do you "freestyle"? (experiment with different clothing styles) Or is it strictly skirts?
***Not sure what that means, so I guess no. Unless you mean the "norm" under the skirts. If so, yes, half slip, tights, the full English breakfast.

[skirted_in_SF]

I must say the one person, a deeply religious woman who I worked with, I thought she'd have the most severe reaction, but she has been one of the biggest supporters . . .

I've run into this phenomenon too. It kind of teaches you not to be judgmental of others in hope that they will return the favor.