Do You Feel More Natural in a Kilt/Skirt?

[skirttron]

At first, when I wore even a trad. kilt, I felt conspicuous. Since I now wear modern kilts, and occasionally skirts, most of the time I'm not at work, trousers now feel less natural than MUGs to me, and also seem very clinging. I guess this is a natural progression - do the rest of you guys find the same thing?

[cessna152towser]

Likewise, when I only wore trad. kilts, I would come home and change into an old pair of trousers for relaxation, but now that I also wear non-trad. lightweight kilts I tend to wear these around the house and when I do wear trousers they feel strange and uncomfortable.

[ChristopherJ]

I can wear both - but there is no doubt that I feel more relaxed somehow when I am wearing a skirt - and this applies when I am at home on my own - or out around town - or meeting friends.

I can be quite tense when I am out in a skirt - as I get a LOT of stares etc. (middle-aged man in mini skirt etc.) - but at the same time, I feel perfectly relaxed internally - if you know what I mean. It's a zen thing . . . .

I also agree with skirttron and cessna - in that although I can (and do) wear trousers a lot, they do feel restrictive and uncomfortable. Both physically and psychologically somehow.

Or am I going nuts?

[imadube]

I second and thirds the feel in skirts..... As a truckdriver I spend many hours constricted in the seat. When I do manage to throw on a skirt while driving (mostly when I know I will not have to stop for any reason) I can drive much farther and with a very distinct difference in leg pressure, tightness, tiredness and heat build up. Also, ever noticed that when you have to spend most of the day (or night) driving in trousers you need to stop to make a nature break after only a couple hours? I have found that driving skirted has stopped the stopping so much, going as long as 5 hours without need of a break. They also seem to relieve general driver fatigue, when in trousers I (must be my age) get very sleepy in sometime a matter of less then an hour, while wearing a skirt IF the "Z" monster comes knocking it is usually several hours before it's an issue at all.
So what I am saying is I think the ease of comfort does more then it outwardly appears to do.
As for you guys - no U'r not crazy, U'r comfortable and stressed less, even in ways you may not have thought before.

[iain]

I find anything new makes me feel very conspicuous at first. Whether it was low rise jeans, kilts or whatever. But after a while they feel very natural, but in a different way.

For example, when I wear a kilt or skirt I know to expect a certain kind of reaction and being used to it means it's not a problem, whereas at first it felt horrible. After wearing a skirt for a day I feel very comfortable getting back into jeans, and then after a while I feel the reverse.

So I think you're simply exercising a different muscle which eventually becomes more built up and part of your normal actions.

Today, for example, I wore my jeans tucked into my boots--the boots look good, so what's the logic in hiding them if you're gonna wear them--and it feels like everyone is staring at me. But, after a few days I won't care!

[crfriend]

I can (and do) wear trousers a lot, they do feel restrictive and uncomfortable. Both physically and psychologically somehow.

Or am I going nuts?

I don't think you're going nuts. I just got back from two weeks' holiday during which I spent virtually no time in tr*users. Shoving my legs into a bifurcated garment for the journey home seemed a chore, and I had all manner of problems figuring out whether my legs were hot or cold.

I'll definitely take unbirfucated garments over birfucated ones any day.

[Milfmog]

...Shoving my legs into a bifurcated garment for the journey home seemed a chore...

So why did you not travel in a skirt?

Long periods of sitting still are far more comfortable skirted so that there is no inseam to cut into the "undercarriage". For that reason alone, I always travel in skirts or kilts these days. Reactions at airports seem to vary from none at all to "Oh, another strange foreigner visiting our country" but I've never had any hassle apart from buckles on a kilt setting off airport metal detectors.

Have fun,


Ian.

[Sashi]

I find anything new makes me feel very conspicuous at first. Whether it was low rise jeans, kilts or whatever. But after a while they feel very natural, but in a different way.

For example, when I wear a kilt or skirt I know to expect a certain kind of reaction and being used to it means it's not a problem, whereas at first it felt horrible.

...

But, after a few days I won't care!

I can so totally identify with that! Well, with the feeling conspicuous part, not the skirt part that is. I figured that going skirted will probably elicit feelings in me like you just described. As for the comfort thing, I have a feeling that after spending enough time in skirts and/or dresses I'll probably feel the same way about pants/shorts as some of you have described. Kind of like with shirts. I used to wear ones that fit snugly more or less, but at some point I ended up switching over to much looser shirts. Now I basically don't wear any kind of clothing unless it has a loose-ish fit, because the other way feels way too constricting for me.

[crfriend]

So why did you not travel in a skirt?

Three letters: "T", "S", and "A". The US Government is not your friend.

I tend to stick out in a crowd anyway and don't need any "extra" attention. Things are a bit stoopid [sic] in the USA when it comes to "security" and I'd rather not get something else added to my State dossier/profile.

Long periods of sitting still are far more comfortable skirted so that there is no inseam to cut into the "undercarriage".

Too true. Driving in a skirt is vastly more comfortable than in trousers.

[Milfmog]

Three letters: "T", "S", and "A". The US Government is not your friend.

I assume that's Transportation Security Administration and not Texas Speleological Association

I tend to stick out in a crowd anyway and don't need any "extra" attention. Things are a bit stoopid [sic] in the USA when it comes to "security" and I'd rather not get something else added to my State dossier/profile.

Is this a real issue or just a possible one that you'd rather not risk. Are the American "powers that be" really as worried about their own citizens as they sometimes seem?

Is this something I need to keep in mind if I visit in the summer as I hope to?


Ian.

[crfriend]

I assume that's Transportation Security Administration and not Texas Speleological Association

The former. Cavers don't seem to present much of a "threat".

Is this [surveillance/spying] a real issue or just a possible one that you'd rather not risk. Are the American "powers that be" really as worried about their own citizens as they sometimes seem?

At the risk of getting political, and hence out of bounds, US citizens are not sure exactly what information/data the US government is gathering about them. We know that virtually all telephone calls are objects of scrutiny, and we also know that all e-mail and electronic communications are "surveyed" (see "Carnivore"). We also know that the US government detains and holds, without charge, non-US-citizens indefinitely and engages in what the rest of the world considers torture. What we do not know is whether they've stooped to that level for US citizens. We also know that the Executive Branch of the government is operating under a level of secrecy that's unprecedented in US history, and it's widely understood that it's operating outside he powers granted to it by [known] laws. So, needless to say, there are quite a few jittery folks here in the US, at least those who take our Constitution seriously.

Is this something I need to keep in mind if I visit in the summer as I hope to?

Probably not. The TSA and bureau of "Homeland 'Security'" will already know everything about you that the UK government already does (and probably more) so there's likely little to fear unless there's a whopping case of mistaken identity involved. The worst thing is that none of us can be *sure* of what's going on behind the veil.

All that having been said, the US is really a very decent place. I'm sure you'll find a fine welcome and find lots of things to see and do. Beware that the place is huge and you'll never see even close to a fraction of it in less than a lifetime. Do enjoy your trip!

[ChrisM]

It is certainly widely PERCEIVED to be a real issue.

I flew 75,000 miles this past year. I have the security checkpoint down to a smooth glide, and it is still one of the worst parts of the whole trip.

I do think that I get a wee drop of better treatment because of my frequent flyer status and the associated fact that I am usually in First Class. But this may be false.

I have many times gone through security in a plaid skirt (they think it's a kilt) and never provoked a response. On the other hand, in East Coast airports I admit that I usually go through security in trousers and change to a skirt in the toilet.

Yes, it's a problem. Off with your shoes. Off with your coat. Each computer must go in it's own plastic tray. Remove the baggie containing your shampoo. Don't put your ticket in your coat pocket by mistake! Don't clasp your hands behind you. Then, in the tiny little space on the other side of the metal detector, repack everything you so carefully arranged on the dining table at home.

[cessna152towser]

The TSA and bureau of "Homeland 'Security'" will already know everything about you that the UK government already does

Things may have changed since, but when I applied for a visa to visit USA in 1987 I was refused on the basis that I had travelled to East Berlin as a member of a student union which was affiliated to the Communist party back in 1972. I was told that if I wished to appeal against the refusal I would need to make an appointment for an interview at the US embassy in Edinburgh. I never pursued an appeal so never did visit the USA. I've had no problem going through some of the smaller regional airports in Britain in a kilt but haven't attempted any of the main ones yet.

[bob striks]

[quote="ChrisM"]It is certainly widely PERCEIVED to be a real issue.


I have many times gone through security in a plaid skirt (they think it's a kilt) and never provoked a response. On the other hand, in East Coast airports I admit that I usually go through security in trousers and change to a skirt in the toilet.

I am going to be traveling to the east coast in a couple of months (Boston, New York, DC), so your comment about when you travel there got my attention. Is the east coast hostel territory? what do I need to know.

[ChrisM]

I have an office in DC, and fly there via Baltimore (BWI.)

I have worn a kilt skirt through security at BWI several times, with no hassles.

I do find the US East Coast to be, culturally, much less tolerant than the US West Coast. For example, riding the DC Metro in a kilt skirt I routinely hear snickers from school children and the like. Because of this general ambiance of judgment, I will sometimes "play it safe" by "playing it normal" and going through the outbound security checks in trousers, and then changing. I guess I'd say 'anything that catches their attention, will.'

Note that I will fly INTO the east coast in a skirt, because then my only interaction with TSA is to walk past their backs on my way to street. And the chaps at the rent-a-car desk want my business, so they don't give me any lip. I only take the timid path when I am flying OUT of the east.

Bottom line: I'm probably just timid, and over-reacting. But that's what I do nevertheless.

All the best,

Chris