Today I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Peter v]

Mugman, Congratulations, even though it is a non issue event, the very first time is always nerve racking and exhilarating simualtaneously, of course not knowing who or what you will encounter.

Tooslowprius's statement; "I have finally figured out its all about how you present your self and act. After all it's just an article of clothing." is precicely what I was going to say.

I assume that people will react more to what they think your intentions are, as apposed to what you are wearing, even if it is not a usual daily sight. Which would I presume account for most "normal" reactions.

I think you looked good in your get up. And the car, great, is an ideal way to arrive in wearing a knee length skirt, it fits in nicely, along with warm weather, giving it a relaxed feel.

[Since1982]

I think you looked good in your get up.

I don't know about the Netherlands but here in America when someone refers to clothing as a "get up" they are usually referring to what one wears to go out trick or treating on All Hallows Eve or to a costume party. I thought he looked just as normal as anyone else in a skirt. Skirts "should" be sexless and hopefully, in the not too distant future they will be.

[Milfmog]

Milfmog - I get what you're saying, and it's good to know there is choice if required. I like denim for its practical nature. In a part of the world which is based mainly upon the holiday and leisure industry, it sort of fits in with that mood. It'll do me fine at the moment. I don't go to functions which require a more conservative look, so other materials aren't a requirement at the present.

Fair enough, I was not trying to push you (or anyone else) to go further than you wish just pointing out that every time I push another of my anticipated boundaries I find that it really was not an issue. Despite that I still feel awkward in outfits that to me look "too feminine". I don't really know how to define what that means, but when I look at some clothing on me I look like a guy and some other combinations look like a bad attempt to pass as a woman (perhaps shaving would help ).

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have to feel comfortable in myself with a look before I will wear it in public, but that whenever I wear something I feel good about others seem to accept it without fuss.

As yet there are many options that I will not wear and many others I won't even consider, but as I age / mature / get more used to wearing skirts / whatever other factors are changing (delete as applicable) my outlook moves on and new things become acceptable to me for myself and so may end up in the list of things I will wear out and about.

Have fun and enjoy wearing whatever you choose to,


Ian.

PS I had a couple of great holidays in Coombe Martin a few years ago, staying in one of the caravan parks was a great way to have a cheap holiday when my son was small. Most fascinating to me was the Pack o' Cards, a wonderfully eccentric piece of architecture. I really must make the effort to return to the area sometime and if I do maybe we can meet and share a beer or two.

[mugman]

Ian - I look forward to it!!! But not at the Pack o' Cards, as it appears to have jaded in atmosphere in recent yeras.

[Big and Bashful]

I think the look with that skirt worked realy well, very natural. For myself I would feel that a skirt that length would be too short, but maybe that length of denim skirt is truly invisible because it just looks like a pair of shorts.

Do longer denim skirts also seem invisible? or does the larger amount of cloth and necessary flare destroy the aura of invisibility? I am thinking of the one I have in the Pics and Looks area and still trying to pluck up the courage.

[mugman]

I think the look with that skirt worked realy well, very natural. For myself I would feel that a skirt that length would be too short, but maybe that length of denim skirt is truly invisible because it just looks like a pair of shorts.

Do longer denim skirts also seem invisible? or does the larger amount of cloth and necessary flare destroy the aura of invisibility? I am thinking of the one I have in the Pics and Looks area and still trying to pluck up the courage.

It doesn't feel short on me as I wear shorts at times at that length. There must be a critical length that becomes invisible. Too high, and the amount of skin demands attention, too low and it's neither trousers or shorts you're in. Depends also if you don't mind being seen in a skirt anyway, in which case any length probably works, according to preference.

[cessna152towser]

This was a great report to read. As you have found and as others have said, skirt wearing is no big issue so long as you act normal and not exhibit a self consciousness about what you are wearing.

[Peter v]

I think you looked good in your get up.

I don't know about the Netherlands but here in America when someone refers to clothing as a "get up" they are usually referring to what one wears to go out trick or treating on All Hallows Eve or to a costume party. I thought he looked just as normal as anyone else in a skirt. Skirts "should" be sexless and hopefully, in the not too distant future they will be.

Well, get up or outfit, I meant of course the whole package, as although we do talk about men in skirts, it is always a total clothing package that we do present, inclusive shoes, shirts, etc etc. And definitely not anything to do with a costume party.

If I was to go to a costume party, I would probably have to put on a pair of jeans, bulky men's shoes and a t shirt. , thus wearing clothes other than what I wear on a daily basis. ( Yes I know, there are also other costumes than skirts and some other attributes generally assosiated with women which can also be worn by men with their skirts ).

[Peter v]

I think the look with that skirt worked realy well, very natural. For myself I would feel that a skirt that length would be too short, but maybe that length of denim skirt is truly invisible because it just looks like a pair of shorts.

Do longer denim skirts also seem invisible? or does the larger amount of cloth and necessary flare destroy the aura of invisibility? I am thinking of the one I have in the Pics and Looks area and still trying to pluck up the courage.

It doesn't feel short on me as I wear shorts at times at that length. There must be a critical length that becomes invisible. Too high, and the amount of skin demands attention, too low and it's neither trousers or shorts you're in. Depends also if you don't mind being seen in a skirt anyway, in which case any length probably works, according to preference.

I agree, at first I expect men will not feel too happy with showing any leg above the knee, but as time goes on, any men with a reasonable presentable figure should have no problem with the shorter skirts. All being subject to personal taste. But there are also shorts with very short pipes, they can be substituted with a skirt of equal length, as long as they do not "show" more than wished for. Personally I think that skirts worn in the waist line as men generally do, being no less than 40 cm's in height / length, are as short as practical. I am wearing such a skirt now, and when seated, as I am at the present, typing this posting, it has crept up exposing some 30 cm's of my thighs, as is the case when I ride my bycicle .

But whatever you wear, as long as you are happy about it, and not being exhibitionistic, all should be well. And men can be very handsome in skirts too. Your whole aura, the message which your face shows often dertermines success ( in the eyes of onlookers ) or a choice of attire which needs some rethinking. Show respect, satisfaction, dignity and that should be read by others, making your choice successful.

[jaycee]

Wow, you're braver than I am!! Well done. I'm glad it worked out ok. I have to admit I still cheat...I go out in a skirt but I wrap a jumper round my waist to hide the back of the skirt and carry a lightweight jacket to hide the front. Not elegant but it works ok for me. With a knee length skirt it just looks like I'm wearing baggy shorts.

[Since1982]

If I was to go to a costume party, I would probably have to put on a pair of jeans, bulky men's shoes and a t shirt. , thus wearing clothes other than what I wear on a daily basis. ( Yes I know, there are also other costumes than skirts and some other attributes generally assosiated with women which can also be worn by men with their skirts ).

So let me get this straight, Peter, you would consider most clothes men wear, T-shirts, regular mens shoes, white socks as a "costume"? What would you have us wear, all the lacy tops, high heeled shoes, sheer nylons, makeup and bleached hair you affect? I just want to wear a skirt for comfort, I don't want to look like an imitation woman.

[mugman]

I have to admit I still cheat...I go out in a skirt but I wrap a jumper round my waist to hide the back of the skirt and carry a lightweight jacket to hide the front...

...that sounds brave to me, jaycee, and deserves as much cheer. As was mentioned earlier in another thread, 'brave' is probably an overstatement with a great many of our lads and lasses doing much braver things than I'll ever achieve. If it means that one day the extra camouflage gets to be removed as our fears become less acute, then that's the way to play it. It's the end result that counts - however long it might take.
I mentioned to someone in a recent PM response that I've also found that just having a backpack on (which is handy anyway for what I might need in my travels - for cameras, showerproof rainwear, fodder, etc), makes you appear to be a hiker. For some reason there doesn't seem to be any reason required to be in a workmanlike skirt (denim in my case), instead of shorts, if you're hiking. Perhaps it does represent a more comfortable/practical item of clothing used in that way. And if you can look like it's no big deal to you, so much the better. The backpack is 'camouflage' in a way, or at least hoping to confuse the issue, but also handy at the same time. Not much good in a non-backpack place, but if you live in an area where hiking is active, perhaps that might be an optional way to adopt at the outset.

[Big and Bashful]

Well I have made my first steps, a busy Tesco filling station on the outskirts of Carlisle near the motorway, my denim combat skirt (calf length, on my pics and looks thread), a tee shirt, shoes and ankle socks. No comments, no fuss, no hassle. Changed back into jogging bottoms before arrival at my sisters though.

[mugman]

That's excellent news!!!! Well done. You'll be out and about in no time...or as long as you want it to take. Obviously you have to have been determined about it, and you apparently were. Bravo.

[Gus]

Changed back into jogging bottoms before arrival at my sisters though.

Well done B&B. But when your family members accept you in a skirt, the battle is 90% won - that's the tough one!