dillon wrote:Correct me if I am wrong, but I think when Jim2's wife says he looks ridiculous, she means in any skirt, not just because of his sense of style of lack there of. Perhaps she can offer constructive criticism of his ensembles, but odds are she will never actually like the fact that he wears skirts. I'm not trying to sound the pessimist, just being realistic.
It's possible that will be the case, but it's at least worth an exploration. If one never tries, one never knows.
There is ample photographic evidence here that skirted rigs can work amazingly well on guys. What's needed is the ability on the part of significant others to move beyond the stereotype of the drag queen and outright impersonators to the vastly more subtle world of what can make a guy's mind tick -- and usually clothing and style do not rank high on the list of things that guys tend to be interested in. Comfort does, as well as utility -- and skirted rigs can provide both; however, there remains cognitive dissonance on the part of the observer, in this case, those closest to the guy so considering ditching trousers every once in a while. This dissonance will not be overcome by force; down that road, which is the one that blokes usually plod, lies disaster. 'Tis better to follow, instead, the road of seduction -- the "gently, gently" approach without being pushy or demanding. Patience, in this, is a virtue, because it's very, very difficult for people to shed preconceived notions, and they need a compelling reason to shed them presented in a cogent, gentle, and non-threatening manner.
Jim2, it won't be easy, but if you are like most of us, you will find the courage to take that step into public, perhaps not in your own neighborhood, but elsewhere. It gets easier, but the odd looks from strangers will not go away in our lifetimes, I am afraid. Still, we all want to do this, feel compelled to do this, and it requires courage, boldness, and nerve.
The usual suggestions here hold -- make your first outing in a spot where nobody knows you and who'll you'll never see again. That eases anxiety considerably by lessening the chance you'll get spotted by somebody you (or your SO) know. Ultimately, it really doesn't matter all that much because most folks are so tied up in their own little worlds that much of what goes on around them goes unnoticed. That said, be ready for the occasional sideways stare or even a comment -- but don't let it rattle you. Naysayers, like dogs, can smell fear; don't give them the ammunition.
As for style? Well, I dress in skirts a lot like I do in pants, i.e., with an outdoorsy look [...]
This is the way that most guys start out, and that's entirely understandable. It can also work reasonably well if one pays attention to proportion (note that my body-type does not lend itself to short skirts). Once nice thing about skirts is that you can get them in positively brilliant colours if that's a style you're comfortable with. I have always been comfortable with brilliant colour, mostly in waistcoats, and so it was natural to adopt that for the skirts as well. Just be aware that in brilliant colours you will stick out, so be prepared to get noticed.
We aren't going to change society, but we may open a few minds along the way. As the old saying goes: A mind is like a parachute; it only works when open. It doesn't take much more than a brief social contact to let someone see that a skirted man is pretty normal in every way but his clothing. If people think they can extrapolate the workings of your mind from your clothing, they will, and we cannot stop them from doing so, but when they actually hear you speak, and get a glimpse of a genuine person behind the clothes, and behind the label their brains try to attach to you, they are given pause to reconsider their prejudgements.
This sums it up nicely; the key is to actively engage folks who make the effort to "break the ice" and talk to you. Engage them in an intelligent upbeat manner, and pretty much ignore the fact that you're wearing a nether-garment which most western males have never contemplated. Be you. That will win the day.
I like the Grateful Dead lyric, but somehow I am still drawn to "The Road Less Travelled" -- for indeed it
has made all the difference.
