What did *you* wear "out and about" today?

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:22 pm

Today, it was beautifully sunny, I took the afternoon off work, put on a tee-shirt and navy denim pencil skirt, and drove to the historic city of York. It's about an hour's drive from my home. I stopped at a park-and-ride about 4 miles out of the city centre and got on a bus. A friendly Scottish lady sat beside me and we chatted.

The first place I called at was the chambers of an old friend of mine, a former police officer and now a barrister. He introduced me to some of his colleagues, then we went out to a pub for lunch.

Then I went with him to the Crown Court, where he showed me a document he had that was prepared in the fifteenth century! After that, he had to get back to his work, and I was free to spend some time in the city. I went shopping.

After calling at the bank, I visited about a dozen or so shops and tried on and bought a suit (formal man's suit) that was in the sale in Greenwoods. The staff were very helpful. Then I went to a gallery and obtained a catalogue from the lady-owner. We chatted about how Britain had deteriorated in recent years and she said she would love to get out of the country but couldn't leave just yet. Then I called at the pharmacy, and then at a shoe shop and tried on some summer sandals. Before leaving the city, I called into a café for a coffee and a slice of apple pie. While in there, I chatted to a lovely elderly couple and their teenage grandson who were in England on holiday from Texas. Finally, I caught a bus back to the park-and-ride, from where I drove home.

During my outing, I met and spoke to at least two dozen people including lawyers, secretaries, bank cashiers, shop assistants, waiters, pharmacists, bus drivers and members of the public. Plus, I was seen by, quite literally, several hundred of people.

So what was the reaction to my skirt? ABSOLUTELY ZILCH! All afternoon, I did not receive one comment, raised eyebrow or curious look. I just wore it and got on with my day.

The days when men couldn't wear skirts, gents, are now history. So long as you wear it appropriately and you are supremely confident, nobody will give you a second look.

Stu

Mary Jane Boy · Post by **Mary Jane Boy** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:29 pm

Today was the first sunny day in a long time so I took the day off and drove up to Freeport, Maine to do a little outlet shopping.

I didn't find anything but had a nice seafood lunch and got to show off my outfit to anyone who wanted to look. No reall comments from anyone but two young ladies keep starting conversations with me and one even took this photo for me!

iain · Post by **iain** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 8:29 pm

today went to Cambridge, in very lightweight hipster stewart tartan (white/red design) kilt, beige diesel boots, and short sleeved white cotton shirt. had a great day, and received only one comment, from a young guy in a team handing out flyers to get people to take a boatride on the river. "That's a nice kilt!" I had a shoulder bag too, with a long strap. handiest thing I ever bought.

It hit about 24 today and everyone was baking in the sun. but the kilt was really cool. I felt really at home.. so I would say Cambridge is a kilt-friendly place. full of academics, young and energetic people. hundreds of bicycles too. get down there if you get a chance

binx · Post by **binx** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:22 pm

Out today in a Stewart tartan kilt, polo, and Bates Enforcers for services, and a hospital visit of my sister-in-law. Question asked by the cafe checkout lady: "Is that a religion?" Nope, it's a men's fashion freedom movement!:ninjajig:

binx

iain · Post by **iain** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 8:31 pm

nice comeback! I went to a neighbour's party today wearing a short black -and orange sarong and black sleeveless vest. someone said, "you don't go out like that, do you?" and I just said, "well, here I am!"

in this heat it was the only sensible thing to wear.

matman · Post by **matman** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:51 pm

OK. A few weeks ago I ventured out in my Mountain Kilt when I added fuel to the auto. When I tried to pay at the pump the machine did not work, so I went into the mini mart/ convenience store to pay. No comments from the three gals behind the counter, and none from anyone else pumping fuel into their cars. That was really my third skirted venture out in public.

This morning I went again. First to the gas station for more fuel. Several other customers, no comments. I even washed the windows all around my full size Ford van, so I was quite visable. Even so, I found I was relaxed and not really too self conscious at all. Actually, quite confident.

From there I went into Safeway grocery and picked up some items. Still calm, confident and confortable. no comments or notice. After returning home I went out again to a local hardware store, then a jewelry store. Saw lots of customers and clerks along the way, waiting, for example, while I had by watch battery replaced.

Its great to gain confidence and be comfortable both physically and emotionally while skirting. Just wanted to share. I'm sure my comfort level will continue to increase in the days and weeks ahead.

Thanks for listening.

binx · Post by **binx** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:51 pm

Great experiences for you to share, congrats on your continued successful outings! Went to work yesterday in an SK, and today in my tan AK. I'm headed for the outdoor pool, as it's 97 degrees this afternoon! I'll change into a cutoff California Connections skirt I got at a charity shop afterwards, refreshed from the cool dip...

binx

iain · Post by **iain** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:58 pm

absolutely great to hear those experiences. i'm heading for a pool party tomorrow and plan to wear something suitably unbifurcated!

i think it really opens up people's minds when they see someone they know stepping outside the box. it really sets off a chain reaction in their minds, you can just sense it. who knows where these things will lead to? it's great to change the world and enjoy it at the same time.

matman · Post by **matman** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:22 pm

Another aspect of my recent "outing" was yesterday when I went to the sporting goods store looking for a longer-ish (i.e. closer to the knee) tennis skirt. I told the female clerk I wanted a tennis skirt to use at my cycling events (part truth, as that will be the next big step in my outting) to provide some coverage when I peel off the sweaty n sticky lycra bib shorts and "change", is what I said. She helped with the tennis skirts. After not finding navy blue (black only), I continued to brouse. I then asked her about a navy blue skirt I found with the built in shorts, and asked if she had any without the liner. Well, she said no, at which point I said I could just cut the pants out of the skirt. She said, yes, that would work fine, and then she offered that they had several pairs of skirts with shorts/liners upstairs on sale. She then went up and found some the lenght I wanted. It was great being confident the whole time, albeit under the partial guise of needing them for sport only. One step at at time, though.

risky1 · Post by **risky1** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 12:29 am

I wore a denim knee-length from TopShop with an England shirt. No one complained, but it was rush hour on the Underground and we were stuck in a tunnel, so they moaned about that instead...

A few TFL staff had a quizzical look at me as they helped me onto the platform at Liverpool Street station... It's no fun walking along electrified tracks in leather boots...

Tomorrow I will wear a pencil skirt, knee length in black, with black stockings and suspenders, and trainers. I'll see how that goes down, when I walk along the main roads. I hasten to add I only wear the trainers when I travel, after that I wear my heels when I get to work in Tesco. Had a few unsavoury comments from customers, but then its a rough part of London.

I'm wearing a regular shirt and tie and I'm sitting down. No one can really tell its a skirt and if they do see, Its no big deal to me. Any attitude from them and I tell them that their bank has asked me to retain their card, then I ring for assistance, and say loudly how their card has been declined

Website · Post by **crfriend** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:14 pm

I'm not wearing it now, but last night I finally screwed up the courage and went for a walk around my neighbourhood in my burgundy miniskirt yesterday evening. The locals are used to me and my skirts by now, so nothing was said. And given that the temperatures here are slated to rise into the mid 90s (F, 35C) I suspect the short stuff will get some mileage in the next few days.

iain · Post by **iain** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:21 am

once again i wore a black vest and black and tan patterned short sarong and went off to a pool barbequeue, getting some wine first from the local place. what i noticed is that nobody batted an eye, and the benefit was I felt very cool and comfortable in the hot temperatures.

anyone who wears jeans in this heat needs their head examined!

alexthebird · Post by **alexthebird** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:22 am

Yesterday, I spent did all my Saturday errands in a light green sweater and black linen calf-length skirt. This includes supermarket, Target, car wash, a light lunch in a restaurant, and a few shops near the house.

What was interesting though was in the evening. My wife and I took our parrot out for a walk to the local coffee shop, which has tables on the sidewalk. Lots of people stopped to talk to us about the parrot but nobody said anything about the skirt.

Seems to me to be a total non-issue.

iain · Post by **iain** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:34 am

carrying a parrot! great idea! that would make ANYTHING I was wearing a non-issue, I think!

Charlie · Post by **Charlie** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 11:44 am

iain wrote:carrying a parrot! great idea! that would make ANYTHING I was wearing a non-issue, I think!

I had a mental picture of a parrot on a lead.

The conclusion is: if you're hesitant about wearing a skirt in public, take a parrot with you

Charlie

skirtcafe.org

What did you wear "out and about" today?