Where can I find it?

[Nolyn]

Hey Guys, I am wondering if you all can give me some advice on where I can find skirts for sale that look masculine. The styles I see in the stores these days I don't think would even look good on women (but I guess that's another thread...). I keep looking for something that would look good on me and my size 34 waist (42 hips, I think),5' 11" masculine frame, rather than something that would just look silly on me. Any suggestions?

[Big and Bashful]

Midasclothing.com are my favourite, skirts made to order for men in Manchester, England. Their website is in dire need of an update, but they are still trading. I like their denim cargo skirts best, plenty of pockets, a decent fly. They have quite a variety of different styles. Not cheap though, but good quality.

[Nolyn]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[crfriend]

If the pricetags at MIDAS leave your wallet in shock there's always the old standby of a plain, unadorned, A-line women's (or misses, depending on your particular form-factor) skirt in rather sombre colours. It's almost impossible to go wrong with black or a dark navy blue, and that was the first style that I ventured forth into the world at large in.

MIDAS have good functional designs, but as they are a boutique manufacturer their prices will, of necessity, be on the high side of what your typical working bloke might be able to pay -- especially if it's part of an experiment. During the experimentation phase, I'd advise to "do it on the cheap"; that way, if one decides that skirts really aren't for him one isn't out a lot of cash. On the other hand, if you definitely know that skirts are what you are truly comfortable in, then there's nothing like a bespoke garment!

[Nolyn]

Yes, you advice makes a lot of sense, and I have considered what you said to some degree already. But as I have been looking lately, I haven't seen any plain A-line skirts for sale in the woman's department in the stores I've looked in (Kohl's, Dress Barn, J.C. Penney's, Macy's). Maybe I haven't been looking too closely as I've been mostly looking from the aisle as I walk by.

[Milfmog]

Maybe I haven't been looking too closely as I've been mostly looking from the aisle as I walk by.

It takes a while to get to the point where you feel comfortable browsing openly on the "wrong" side of the shop. Unfortunately there is no real alternative if you want to see what is available and feel the fabric. However, once you've done it a few times, you will discover that nobody else cares who is looking at the clothing and, should you find something you like, the shop will happily take your money without worrying about who will wear the garment.

Shopping for skirts is no different to wearing a skirt in public; the first few times it's somewhat nerve wracking, but if you seem to be comfortable and confident in yourself you will find nobody else is concerned and that will provide positive feedback, helping you to become more relaxed. Eventually you will worry no more about shopping for skirts than you do shopping for trousers.

Have fun (and welcome to our corner of cyberspace),


Ian.

[crfriend]

Milfmog, as usual (Please feel free to take a bow, Ian.) offers sage advice on the matter. Another thing that may be worth noting, is that the plain A-line skirts don't usually get a lot of press or advertising; these are timeless designs that are staples of a well put-together wardrobe, and as such are well understood so they don't need extra flogging in the press of flashy store displays. The best bet to find such garments is to just wade in and look.

[skirted_in_SF]

If I needed more skirts I would consider this one from Lands' End:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/AlinePocketS ... igin=index
Two big pockets for the pockets-in-skirts fans around here, not to long/not to short (23" in regular or 21.5 in a petite) and the 98% cotton/2% spandex sateen is a very nice fabric (I own it in other garments) Available in red, walnut (a light brown or dark khaki) and navy. Plain enough colors for any guy.

No I don't work for them, but have been a customer for over 20 years. BTW, if you have any questions about the garment, hit the online chat button at the lower left of the page. I've had very informative chats with a knowledgeable person every time I've done a chat. If the $50 price is too much for you, they have a 20% off code on their home page right now.

[Since1982]

Try Utilikilt.com for a really masculine looking skirted garment, they are becoming VERY popular for carpenters and other outside workers. Comfy, cool and not all that expensive. No comparison at all to a Scottish wool kilt which start around $300.00 ea. Utilikilts are as low as $100.00 or less with lots of pockets and materials.

[Kirbstone]

Yes, that's a nice looking uncluttered skirt with what look like large enough pockets for male hands, and at 23" is pretty modest, too.
Problem for us here is that you can buy it for 50 bucks, but they charge you almost as much again to send one to Europe, making it expensive after all.

Tom K.

[skirted_in_SF]

Yes, that's a nice looking uncluttered skirt with what look like large enough pockets for male hands, and at 23" is pretty modest, too.
Problem for us here is that you can buy it for 50 bucks, but they charge you almost as much again to send one to Europe, making it expensive after all.

Tom K.

Tom,
Here is a link to the same skirt on LE's UK site:
http://www.landsend.co.uk/pp/Side-Pocke ... igin=index

The price there is 39 pounds (sorry, I don't know how to make the currency symbol) Shipping to the UK is 3.95 pounds but strangely, I can't find a quote for Ireland. They have a drop down that lists probably 40 or 50 countries from A to Z around the world, but not Ireland or any synonym that I could think of.

BTW, if you go to the main skirts page from the link, there are other skirts that may work for men.

[skirtyscot]

Skirted in SF, Ireland is listed under R, of course!

Republic of Ireland! Being a republic may not be a big deal for you, but you got rid of Georgie 235 years ago. Ireland has enjoyed such freedom from tyranny for less than a century. We could do with it here in the UK too - off with their heads!

[skirted_in_SF]

What can I say. I tried a couple of alternate names for Ireland, but didn't think of the right on. I even thought of Irish Republic. Oh well, I was on the right track.

[Kirbstone]

Thank you, Stuart for the link to LE's UK site.

I went through the purchasing form filling and discovered that the postage from the UK to (the REPUBLIC OF) Ireland is only £6.95. The price of £39, however works out at US$ 64.35, which is a handsome price hike. I am dithering, but would go for the 'true navy 'option. Being relatively slim, size 14 would do nicely.

The problem with chopping people's heads off, Skirtyscot is illustrated here:

Justice medieval style.jpg

Tom.

[skirtyscot]

Maybe you have a point Kirbstone. Most of them were born into it after all, so it's not their fault. Sue Townsend had a good idea in "The Queen and I" - let them live and give them all council houses!