Practical matters: skirts on trains

[crfriend]

Sapphire and I just got back from a cross-country (USA) trip on Amtrak -- which is a mode of travel that I am fervently fond of and never fail to espouse when I get a chance -- and can offer the following observations having been skirted most of the time.

1) High-level platforms offer no resistance whatsoever to skirt-wearers; at stations (and trains) so equipped, one walks onboard the train, stays at one level, and walks off at the same level. This, save for narrow corridors (in sleeper-carriages) and center-aisles, is comparable to an office environment. In this situation there is no reason whatsoever not to wear a skirt.

2) Single-level cars with ground-level platforms offer a mix, and the only difficulty one is likely to encounter is a steep set of stairs ascending from ground-level to train-level and back again at the other (or any time one wants to step outside at stops) end. The steep stairs can be a pest if one is wearing anything much longer than upper-calf length; I encountered some difficulties with lower-calf length skirts on the trip.

3) High-level cars (western US "Superliners") with low-level platforms: These caused the most problems for me as the stairways were not only steep, but also narrow and involved 2 turns (180 degrees worth) to ascend or descend from the upper level of the train to the lower level. On these, even I had problems managing my longer skirts and managed to step on the hem more than a few times (must practise more!) occasionally to the bemusement of others. For this bloke's money, maxis are straight out on those trains, although on the high-level ones (in the East) they'd be fine.

Train crew are trained to be cautious regarding passenger safety, so more than once I was offered a hand (which I politely declined and showed how one handles a skirt gracefully) and cautioned to "Watch your step" (like I wasn't already). Kudos to the train-crews; the only comment I received from railroad staff the entire time was a comment from a chap in charge of baggage who commented on my rig, "Isn't it a bit cold for that?" to which I replied, "It's quite a bit warmer than you might think!" (This was most of the way home where it was a lot warmer than it was, say, in North Dakota!)

So, there is it, the high and the low of it; we had a decent time of it, all things considered, and nobody really cared whether there was a bloke in a skirt on the train or not. There were several odd looks from some of the Amish folks, likely due to the cultural dissonance between my beard and my skirt, but that was pretty much it.

[skirted_in_SF]

Carl, I started reading your post and thought immediately how you navigate the Superliner stairs. Of course, if you have an upstairs room you don't have to descend until your destination. Woops, forgot the restrooms are downstairs.

Not sure if I've ever seen Amish on the train, but I've never traveled through Amish country. I have seen people that I thought were probably Mennonites though. I don't understand why you would draw looks from the Amish. After all, you have a beard like their men and long skirts like their women.

[crfriend]

Carl, I started reading your post and thought immediately how you navigate the Superliner stairs. Of course, if you have an upstairs room you don't have to descend until your destination. Woops, forgot the restrooms are downstairs.

The answer is, "Carefully. Very carefully." On long-haul trains we almost invariably get sleeping accomodations, and those have "facilities" in each room, so negotiating the stairs is usually a problem only when boarding/departing and when one of us wants something from the bar (which is downstairs; they may do that to keep the drunks under control). If I have both hands free, it's not usually a problem as I can lift the front hem of my skirt to get it out of the way; the fun starts if both hands are full and the train is in motion -- in that case I lean on the wall for support and kick the hem vertically using my knees before putting my feet down. Clearly more practise is required.

Not sure if I've ever seen Amish on the train, but I've never traveled through Amish country. I have seen people that I thought were probably Mennonites though. I don't understand why you would draw looks from the Amish. After all, you have a beard like their men and long skirts like their women.

We start to pick up Mennonites and Amish in mid-state New York, and they're with us until Montana or so when they start to thin out. I think I pick up looks from them because of the dissonance between my "look" and theirs; yes, the menfolk and I both sport long beards, but I also have a mustache where they typically don't and I have very long hair which I usually have tied back with something whimsical and the menfolk tend to have only slightly-longer-than-"western-normal" hair. The women wear long skirts or dresses sometimes with aprons over, but cover their hair; my hair is uncovered and my skirts are not quite so long as theirs. I share a fondness for waistcoats with the menfolk. The looks I get from them are more quizzical than anything else -- and never hostile; I always try to return a smile and a nod for theirs is one of the less toxic cultures going.

[skirted_in_SF]

On long-haul trains we almost invariably get sleeping accomodations, and those have "facilities" in each room, so negotiating the stairs is usually a problem only when boarding/departing

Ah, I've only traveled by myself and had a roomette. Plenty of room for one, but no private facilities.

and when one of us wants something from the bar (which is downstairs; they may do that to keep the drunks under control).

You need to ride the Coast Starlight again. Pacific Parlor car with wine bar reserved for sleeper passengers only (the whole car, not just the bar). Most of my Amtrak travel has been on the Starlight.

[Sam]

I travelled by train once wearing a skirt (just above the knee. Actually no problems at all in this train in the Netherlands. Some people looking surprised, but no discomfort.

[skirtingtheissue]

Sapphire and I just got back from a cross-country (USA) trip on Amtrak -- which is a mode of travel that I am fervently fond of and never fail to espouse when I get a chance -- and can offer the following observations having been skirted most of the time.

Nice going! Isn't it fun? Especially on the eastbound Empire Builder with daylight views of the Rockies from the Sightseer Lounge car.

I would definitely recommend a shorter skirt. Just below the knee works fine and eliminates all worries about those stairs. When I'm on the superliners, I often go down and walk the platform just to get some exercise when there's enough time to do so (e.g. the "smoke stops"). When the train stops for extended service stops, like in Albuquerque, Denver, Kansas City, St. Paul, etc., I go for longer walks. You don't get much exercise ON the train going cross-country, and you do get fed a lot. And I go by roomette, not bedroom, so I go downstairs to use the shower and/or restrooms. So I'm going up and down those tiny stairways quite a bit!

I've had some brief cheerful conversations with the Amish and the skirt never got mentioned. They are seen on most long-distance east-west trains.

[Nolyn]

Well, a few weeks ago, my wife and I took the train from Indiana to Flagstaff, AZ. I decided to not wear my utkilt on the train since I would be sleeping and sitting in all sorts of positions. I figured that trousers would work better. Interestingly, I didn't see too many skirts at all - just ankle length skirts worn by the Amish and elderly Native women.

[henri]

I have taken to wearing my skirt and stockings out for several years now, and find no problems here in the UK. The difference here is that we have station platforms that are about 3ft (970cm) off the ground so it is a relatively easy to board a train here in London. But I am more concerned about when I'm sitting. Our latest trains in outer London are on a network called Overground, and the new electric trains only have what we call '3rd World' bench style seating, so unless I sit carefully, the person sitting opposite can see up my usual just-below-the-knee length skirt, to my stocking tops! They don't get a flash of suspenders as I'm sitting on the back sling and the front sling is covered by the skirt.
But food for thought for some of you out there who wear either type of stocking, hold-up or suspender style.
I get no comments at all these days in North London. I live a few miles from the Hasidic Jewish community in Stamford Hill, where the men elders wear a tunic ( I hope that is the right word) when attending synagogue on the Sabbath, a normal Saturday for the rest of us, and white stockings. The ladies wear long dark skirts and thick stockings or tights -pantyhose to you lot over the pond - as they must be covered up.
We live in interesting times!

[crfriend]

I have taken to wearing my skirt and stockings out for several years now, and find no problems here in the UK. The difference here is that we have station platforms that are about 3ft (970cm) off the ground so it is a relatively easy to board a train here in London. But I am more concerned about when I'm sitting. Our latest trains in outer London are on a network called Overground, and the new electric trains only have what we call '3rd World' bench style seating, so unless I sit carefully, the person sitting opposite can see up my usual just-below-the-knee length skirt, to my stocking tops! They don't get a flash of suspenders as I'm sitting on the back sling and the front sling is covered by the skirt.

Perhaps the answer here is to cross your legs at the ankles which (1) takes up nowhere as much room as crossing at the thighs and (2) does well for keeping the knees close-together. (1) is important on public transit as it's very much a communal setting and one should try to stay out of others' way and (2) is important for the very reason mentioned above. It's worth noting that crossing one's legs is not solely a woman's thing; take a look at any number of formal pictures taken in the first 60 years or so of the last century (e.g. graduation photographs) and you'll notice that a large percentage of the (trousered) seated men in the first row will have their legs crossed.

[henri]

Ah but my cr-friend, my doctors have told me not to cross my legs at the thigh or ankles as I have a scoliosis and sciatic nerve problems - get the picture .....
So, as I said, it is remembering to sit carefully which I do .....
It's getting out of the car that is sometimes awkward ....

[crfriend]

[...] I have a scoliosis and sciatic nerve problems - get the picture .....

Say no more. I wince at the thought.

It's getting out of the car that is sometimes awkward ....

Use the door as a blind. That works for me, even if I'm wearing a mini.

[skirtyscot]

Toes together, heels slightly apart. I find that keeps the knees together, and once my feet are planted in that position, I don't have to think about it at all, so no risk of absent-minded exposure!

[skirted_in_SF]

Toes together, heels slightly apart. I find that keeps the knees together, and once my feet are planted in that position, I don't have to think about it at all, so no risk of absent-minded exposure!

By "3rd world" seating I'm assuming Henri means where the seat is parallel to the sidewall of the bus/train. In their efforts to carry more passengers on a bus, my local transit agency has started buying buses with more of the seats in that configuration. I avoid them when I can (and I'm physically small), but when I do sit in them I tend to sit with my feet together like SS mentions and oftentimes pulled to one side. Leaves more room for standing passengers to plant their feet.

[Kirbstone]

Never using public transport my chief concern in alighting from my chauffeur-driven Merc. using the rear door which is hinged at the front. Now if I were a Royal I'd have a Bentley with the rear doors hinged at the back, for a more dignified emergence.

After The Revolution I'll encourage the Junta to invest in such vehicles so I can arrive at G8 meetings & such like in real style....which would certainly incorporate a knee-length MUG with nice big slash pockets and a jacket with lapels wide enough to display all my medals!

T.

[Milfmog]

Currently waiting to board the Eurostar ffom St Pancras to Brussels and then on to Bruges for a short break with Carole to mark our 25th wedding anniversary. As usual when travelling I am wearing a Utilikilt.

We travelled to here by train and underground through the main commuter rush with few people even appearing to notice the UK. A couple of look up and downs and double takes and a few smiles I would not have expected. I expect a similar non-event in Belgium...

Have fun,


Ian.