A Formula for Successfully Selling Men's Skirts

[Grok]

From my perspective, the main thing that prevents me from buying a "women's" skirt are the small sizes.

Perhaps, conversely, that the main thing that propelled things like "boyfriend's fit" pants was because it's easier for a woman's small body to fit into a pair of men's oversized clothes, than it is for a man to squeeze into his wife's tiny, undersized-to-him, skirt?

Yes, consider attempts to market to men skirts that were originally intended for women.

The so called Madras Kilt. Short pleated skirt, like a short version of a kilted skirt. I liked the look, but realized that it wasn't offered in a size that would fit me.

The original Macabi skirt. Originally designed for women. Now marketed as unisex, which works because it is offered in sizes that can fit men.

I suppose a company might re-label as mens wear a skirt intended for Plus size (that is, larger) women. Maybe from the category of Travel Skirts, which are intended to be somewhat practical (similar to the Macabi knee length).

In the near term, this may be almost the only way to market something that would be new to men. Using a product that is already in production, for a different demographic.

[Grok]

Well, one other possibility. A believe that Skirtcraft was crowd sourced, so the bills were paid for its production. For a tiny niche market, using original designs.

[STEVIE]

I think I commented before on the crowd funding thing, it wasn't very well received, so leave that.
Women come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so do their skirts.
Actually I know lots of women who would take a considerably larger dress size than I do.
Must admit that I am puzzled about the sizes being a barrier unless you only associate with stick insects and feel that you have to be one too.
It's not a criticism, I really would like to know.
Steve.

[Grok]

I think that the utilikilt style skirt appeals to many men who would not normally be interested in wearing a skirt or their partners allowing them to.

Perhaps a denim skirt would appeal. Marketed as a work garment that is more rugged/durable than a Utilikilt. If commercially viable, it would likely be a tiny niche market, just big enough for one small company.

[STEVIE]

If commercially viable, it would likely be a tiny niche market, just big enough for one small company.

"Small company, Niche Market", is likely to be reasonably profitable Grok.
The problem is that we already have that and the real challenge is to break out of it and grow.
"A Formula for Successfully Selling Men's Skirts" is just not going to be formulated anytime soon, or ever for that matter.
Speculation on what might be is fun, but sadly, is going nowhere.
Steve.
PS if you find a working solution, you will be richer than Scrooge McDuck.

[Stu]

Perhaps a denim skirt would appeal. Marketed as a work garment that is more rugged/durable than a Utilikilt. If commercially viable, it would likely be a tiny niche market, just big enough for one small company.

I'd buy that. In fact, I'd buy several. Denim skirts are great for gardening, but they are often made a bit too flimsy, aimed at the female wearer. Let's have some tough MANskirts in denim. The sort you can wear with a muscle vest, work boots and a bushy beard.

[Grok]

A gardening skirt, Stu Great idea!

If we are talking about more than a few mavericks, there needs to be incentives for men to defy the Taboo. Practical reasons; reasons that offer advantages compared to trousers.

[STEVIE]

Yeah Guys, who'd have thought it, "Macho Skirts for the All Male rootin tootin 100% testosterone laden uber masculine dude".
Problem is that it has already been done to death by the kilt in all it's guises and iterations.
Hell, UK had or maybe still has, a version for those who wished to pack shooting irons so garden implements would be a breeze.
Sorry to rain on the parade, but I really don't see the point of floating castles in the air.
With all the collected wisdom around here, I really would have expected better.
Personally, I have no idea what the real answer is and I don't believe anyone else does either.
One thing though, it won't come from Wrangler or Levi Strauss style products.
Steve.

[timemeddler]

want to compete with kilts? make t out of cheapo material like lightweight denim or one of the poly blend, don't add ugly pockets or anything that adds to the price, make it so cheap that it can be bought for the same amount of jeans and have two sizes maxi and knee, then when they realize how much easier it is to get a skirt in the right size and that the price is the same or less than cheap Walmart pants they'll be far more likely to buy them.

[GerdG]

Becoming successful on a product market is not only a question of the product offered but also, and probably even more, of the customers. If they are enough to build a profitable market, they’ll get the product they wish.

The major problem with the man skirt market is that the demand is not only little, but also most fragmented, making it difficult to establish even a profitable market niche. Add to that that some men shall prefer skirts and other items designed for women, because they are designed for women.
Other men are against paying more than absolutely necessary. Thus, they object to paying a few dollars, pounds or euros more for a skirt made for them and are satisfied with what they get in women’s stores.

Nevertheless, man skirts are to find. SkirtCraft has been mentioned here but there are other suppliers, as you may see here: https://www.dress2kilt.eu/en07.htm

I very much like the skirts from Davesbrand.com, https://davesbrand.com


Links to more vendors of skirts (and utility kilts) can be seen here: http://www.dress2kilt.eu/p0200_2.htm

[webboy42]

Women come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so do their skirts.
Actually I know lots of women who would take a considerably larger dress size than I do.
Must admit that I am puzzled about the sizes being a barrier unless you only associate with stick insects and feel that you have to be one too.
It's not a criticism, I really would like to know.
Steve.

Honestly, the fact you don’t consider size an issue makes you and your larger acquaintances sound like stick insects to me. If you consider that women are typically smaller than men, and if further you consider that an average man might require a plus size women’s skirt, then it’s hardly surprising that larger men might have trouble finding skirts from woman focused manufacturers.

For myself, even Macabi is too small if I lose control of my weight, especially the tighter knee length style. I have lost control of my weight before and found even the longer skirts a squeeze to get into, even though I own the largest size available.

[timemeddler]

]

Honestly, the fact you don’t consider size an issue makes you and your larger acquaintances sound like stick insects to me. If you consider that women are typically smaller than men, and if further you consider that an average man might require a plus size women’s skirt, then it’s hardly surprising that larger men might have trouble finding skirts from woman focused manufacturers.

For myself, even Macabi is too small if I lose control of my weight, especially the tighter knee length style. I have lost control of my weight before and found even the longer skirts a squeeze to get into, even though I own the largest size available.

yeah but in my case it's the opposite problem, The small handful of men's skirts don't come small enough for me.

[Grok]

I think that the utilikilt style skirt appeals to many men who would not normally be interested in wearing a skirt or their partners allowing them to.
I don't think that there is any product that would appeal to every man. Think of a car that would appeal to all men.

I suspect that if MIS became mainstream, most men wouldn't be interested-they would stick to their trousers. I base this largely how most women switched over mainly, if not exclusively, to trousers.

That being said, I think that there are, generally speaking, three, perhaps four, groups of men who may be relevant to MIS.

1. A member came up with the term "Skirtonians." Some men, and some women, like skirts, enjoy wearing skirts, celebrate skirts. Have a tendency to seek self expression in their choice of skirted rig.

2. The kilties. Emphasis on traditional kilts, and in general an interest in Celtic heritage.

3. I think there is a third group, who tend to wear rigs such as utilikilts. I think this may be based not on an emphasis on enjoying skirts, as such, but on skirts that are useful for/fit into their chosen lifestyle. I think there is preference for more practical rigs.

4. Possibly a fourth group, members of subcultures, such as Goth. Interest is in rigs specific to that subculture.

[STEVIE]

2. The kilties. Emphasis on traditional kilts, and in general an interest in Celtic heritage.

These guys generally will not see what they wear as skirts and they'd be unlikely to identify with MIS in general.
What's more Grok, they'd also be unlikely to be receptive to expanding their skirted repertoire beyond their "preciously masculine" skirts AKA "The Kilt".
Steve.

[GerdG]

To me the problem is, that the four groups, not even put together, are big enough to make skirts for men mainstream.

To me the condition are skirts designed for men and accepted as such by men - and their surroundings and, basically, I think, we already have the right skirts (like Davesbrand), but very very few are aware of the existence of man skirts.
And then we need that critical mass of men being brave enough to wear them and in a way in which men in general could see themselves and some big bang to start the movement.