Ideal outfit

[Freedomforall]

If you could wear anything without fear, what would it be? Is there a dress or skirt that your mind entertains?

I will go first. I would love to go on a Caribbean vacation and take nothing but dresses and a few skirts. There isn't a particular dress in mind.

[crfriend]

If you could wear anything without fear, what would it be? Is there a dress or skirt that your mind entertains?

I am enthralled with the styles from both the mid-Victorian and Edwardian periods and would wear those anywhere. I'm not terribly keen on the late-Victorian fascination with the extreme bustle, but many of the other styles work very well indeed, and some of the colours from the period are absolutely exquisite.

Hard pressed on a fantasy of where to wear such a rig, I'd have to resort to time-travel (which, as we all know is impossible) and state I'd be on a steamship travelling the North Atlantic in mid-winter. It'd be a challenge to both body and soul.

[Barleymower]

My favourites are soft midi skirts with a woollen jumper and boots in the winter. Sandals and tees in the summer.
Heaven

[Jim]

I would love to go on a Caribbean vacation and wear nothing--well maybe sometimes dresses and a few skirts.

[Uncle Al]

I would love to go on a Caribbean vacation and wear nothing-

No matter what you may think Jim, you'll still be wearing Something
It's called a big smile

(I experienced that in Jamaica )
Uncle Al

[steamman]

A short dress worn with high heeled thigh high boots. I intend to do this for real in 2023 once I find the right boots.

[Ralph]

Didn't even have to pause to think about that.



A bit of background: I loved the retro-pioneer/victorian styles of the 70's but I had not yet come to terms with my desire to wear dresses instead of trousers and I was uncomfortable buying "girl" things in stores where you talk to clerks face-to-face. So I let the whole Laura Ashley, Gunne Sax et al era pass me by.

By the time I was comfortable in my own skin and ready to buy those styles I liked so much, they were no longer made new - and I was seven stone heavier, never again to fit into those dresses.

Only recently did I discover Lindy Bop, who not only makes dresses in the retro style I like so much but even in my size. I could wear this forever but it tends to get rather stinky after a few months. (only joking! Maybe...)

[STEVIE]

My "Dream" outfit is not limited by fear but by cold hard cash.
I would have several created if the budget allowed.
Two in particular. One, a dress based around a medieval male tunic and the other on this illustration.
The inspiration is the Terry Pratchett novel "Monstrous Regiment".
The idea of turning a macho male military uniform into some form of hybrid for men in skirts appeals to the rebel in my soul.
Steve.

[skirtedbrit]

Already done this a few years ago for my 70th birthday. went to a dressmaker and she made me a lovely green dress and I had "GROWING OLD DISGRACEFULLY" on the front and "NOW SHUT UP AND GET THE DRINKS IN" on the back. After a really good meal the women staff were really keen to chat me up, I wish I had known that in my teens!!!
Have also travelled to Scandinavia several times in skirts/dresses with no problems.

[moonshadow]

Well, my ideal outfit is unattainable, but I can't blame this one on money or society... it's all on me (for now, and probably forever as I do love food).

I'd love to be able to wear something like this (below)

ballgown.jpg

But alas... the circumference of my body simply will not allow it.

However, I do have some of the elements to pull of a somewhat "ballgown" appearance. I have a few longer flowy skirts that do drape nicely over my large hoop petti, as well as a small assortment of very decorative tops to pair with the bottom.

If I lived nearer to a bigger metropolitan area with more appropriate places to wear such an outfit, I might consider giving it more mileage. Unfortunately Tri-Cities Tennessee isn't exactly conductive to such attire, even amongst cis-gender women I might add. There are a small assortment of clubs that allow for such elegant formal wear, however these type of places have strict gender specific dress codes. In short, I have the wrong plumbing.

So I would have to contend with Shoney's or a Waffle House, however I would be substantially overdressed, and likely harassed on account of my being of the male sex in a populace very hostile towards femininity amongst males. Such as it is for those in my income bracket and sex... in the south, save for Atlanta... perhaps.

[crfriend]

Such as it is for those in my income bracket and sex... in the south, save for Atlanta... perhaps.

I suspect you'd be OK in almost any large metropolitan area. When I visited Savannah, GA late last year I only got one sour look, and that was from a guy who clearly had one corker of a hangover and likely more problems than that. Other than that, my interaction with the locals was delightful. Savannah has the benefit of hosting a rather prestigious art and design college, so that heavily influences the flavour of the place.

I've heard some ratty reports about Jacksonville, FL but haven't been there except for passing through on a train.

I hope to go back to Savannah sometime perhaps in early spring or late winter, but getting a solid week -- never mind two -- seems out of the question.

[brennk]

I love wearing skirts and shorts with tights/nylons and ballet flats, and have done so in public in the past on occasion. I wish I could wear more often though.

20220818_185055.jpg

[Myopic Bookworm]

Given the choice, I would go for a dress, fitted to the torso and very full below the waist. The designer Edward Crutchley has produced one or two, including one which was shown at the V&A exhibition on masculinities, and I rather fancy the kind of thing that Billy Porter has sported in public.
Though the dress that grabbed my attention and started me trawling the internet was a long dark green dress in "medieval" style, designed as "renaissance festival" costume, I think. I was just annoyed that it was such a beautiful garment, and that I would not be allowed to wear it.

[crfriend]

Dang, MB, I'd wear that to a formal event any time! Magnificent!

[STEVIE]

Dang, MB, I'd wear that to a formal event any time! Magnificent!

That is the perfect fabric for my doublet/tunic ensemble!
Now I just have to find a stunning rich benefactrix, with an eye for style and an interest in grizzled old dudes.
No challenge there then, probably see at least three on way to office this morning.
One meets all kind of interesting folks on the bus you know.
Steve.