Why don’t more men wear skirts?

[David R]

An interesting article has been posted in The Conversation, in Australia:
http://theconversation.com/why-dont-mor ... irts-21899

This article from Rosie Findlay echoes many of the conversations on Skirt Café over the years.

[Caultron]

The reason most men don't wear skirts is that most men don't wear skirts.

[Mugs-n-such]

I have been wearing a kilt or kilt-like skirt almost constantly but unfortunately haven't seen too many other men do it....
eta: in public I mean (as well as at home)

[Caultron]

I have been wearing a kilt or kilt-like skirt almost constantly but unfortunately haven't seen too many other men do it....
eta: in public I mean (as well as at home)

I spot one or two skirted guys a month. That's not many, but it reassures me I'm not the only nutcase.

[Grok]

Because it is one of society's strictest taboos.

[RichardA]

Seeing a guy in a kilt let alone a skirt in my area would be easier to look for rocking horse dropping.

[skirtyscot]

Because it is one of society's strictest taboos.

Indeed it is. Many other taboos have been broken over the last 60 years, but not this one. Why is it so special?

[Caultron]

Because it is one of society's strictest taboos.

And yet, it raises very little (if any) opposition when we do it.

[dillon]

I just watched a documentary on the Greensboro Four...four young men, African-American, freshmen at NC A&T University, who bravely staged the first of many lunch counter sit-ins to end the humiliating racial segregation of public accommodations. We certainly don't face any obstacle that approaches what those brave lads faced.

True, we do face bigots for whom facts mean nothing; those who jump to the conclusion that if a man wears anything but pants, he must be homosexual, and even some whose hatred and fear is so extreme that they may take violent actions. But those are a tiny minority, as tiny as their own hearts and minds. Still, our challenge is formidable, especially in less than progressive environments; our obstacle is perhaps among the most difficult, because we have to change a culture.

Those young men in Greensboro faced a much harder culture to change. They faced it with courage and conviction, and at the peril of life and freedom.

Still, if we were not compelled to present ourselves publicly, in honest submission to who we are as individuals, would we not be lesser men?

One difference was that their opponents knew, in their hearts, that the young men were in a right and just cause. Race segregation was defended from some pulpits, but not for long, and not with firm righteous conviction. In that regard we have the unfortunate position of appearing to oppose Scriptural literalists' unrefined belief in inerrancy.

There are a few obstacles that make our challenge especially difficult. First, the fact that ours is a movement for freedom of choice, and a choice that is already quite legal. In many cases, our clothing preferences would cost us jobs and/or business. But socially, naught but our own egos are imperiled in this movement. Ego, however, can be a tall hurdle to leap. It is quite natural to be reluctant to provide the ammunition for those who undoubtedly label us, even if by nothing more than a condescending stare or shake of the head.

Second is the fact that we are such a small minority, although we probably don't know the real extent of the silent and inactive (closeted, if you will) brotherhood we actually have. We are not united by an inescapable mark, such as race. Clothing, unlike the skin into which one is born, can be easily changed. It is arguably an unimportant compromise for the sake of one's own social comfort; nevertheless, the road to defeat is paved with compromise.

Third, we also tend to revel and delight in the fact that we are different; our style does make us a unique group, and to a great extent, we find that fact delicious. Are we relishing a sublime pleasure in "pushing the envelope" at the expense of social progress? How exclusive do we want this club to be?

Fourth, we hold many of the same prejudices that are wielded against us, i.e. our reluctance to be associated with gay, TV, or TG movements. Even in these fora, we often debate the limits of feminine style in each other's clothing choices. The question becomes whether we go it alone or march together with men from whom we tend to hold ourselves apart. IMHO, in the jaundiced eyes of modern insecure masculinity, we are already lumped into the same subculture because we deviate from the accepted norm, and threaten mores. Have we considered that the difference we discern and try to promote may be, in the greater view, fine at best? Is balkanization a friend or foe?

We have discussed this ad nauseum for years, I am well aware, yet it is the issue that truly unites us. For every question, there will be many answers. Perhaps we should simply use the thoughts as fodder, and ruminate...

[Grok]

"How exclusive do we want this club to be?" Referring specifically to Skirt Cafe, this seems to be an improbable coalition of mugsmen and freestylers. Yet somehow it holds together.

One question comes to mind-should this group have a goal or mission in the larger society? If so, what should it be?

Or-being a coalition-does it lack sufficient coherence to have a goal larger than camaraderie?

[crfriend]

One question comes to mind-should this group have a goal or mission in the larger society? If so, what should it be?

See the first sentence in the masthead. It sums it up rather succinctly.

Or-being a coalition-does it lack sufficient coherence to have a goal larger than camaraderie?

Camaraderie is important, for without it we'd indeed be lonely and very, very isolated.

The important thing here is the encourage guys to work up the courage to put a good look together and then to have the further courage to make their way -- publically -- in the world so attired. Some of us already do; some are trying to "find their voice". All need the occasional encouragement, though, that what we're doing is not wrong it's merely unusual by western standards and that "standards" can, and do, change over time.

As is joked about in the computer field (and sometimes lamented): "The great thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from!"

[wsherman]

I've been reading this thread with interest.

Grok wrote that what we are up against is a "strict taboo" and another replied inagreement with the observation that resistance was nominal.
With respect I'm not certain we can call the western societal aversion to men wearing skirts or other M.U.G.'s as an strict taboo I really think it boils down to a deep seated inscurity and reluctance to break from the "herd". All one has to do is to observe how children, teens , and emerging adults tend to mimic their peers and icons. Being different can be perilous. Yet I believe that the way society grows and advances is hinged on the fact that there are men and women who will dare to be different and thus bring the needed change in society. I think a healthy society is one in which the reluctance and resistance to change is balanced by the drive to change. We need only to look at history to see the repressive or decadant cultures that imbalance of one or the other brings.



I believe that we can be a group that can help bring about a acceptance to the naturalness of open garments for men just by following our comfort sense. It's not going to happen all at once , I think we agree on that but like building a brick house one brick at a time. In the twenty or so years I've seen the kilt go to nearly a mainstream garment though I recognize that there is a little way to go yet.
How often have you read here that one of our number recieved a compliment on their "kilt" when they were actually wearing a skirt?!

One day...

Slainte' My Friends!
Bill & Sir Brinkley the Exubrant!

[Sinned]

crfrnd,

As one in the computing field we always used to joke that the good thing about standards is that they aren't.

As for me the only reason that I don't wear skirts more often is MOH. For the rest of the male fraternity I don't think that a lot of them even think that it's possible for a man to wear a skirt - they are just a part of the female ensemble along with blouses, bras and high heels. To actually turn their minds to the possibility is an unsurmountable effort. In our present situation a case of the almost-irresistible force meeting the immovable object.

As one applying for jobs at the moment I often see in the Person Specification phrases about the desirable qualities of: flexible approach to new challenges, working under pressure, acting on own initiative and good judgement, working independently as well as part of a team, learning new things quickly, innovative proactive attitude to generating solutions and improving practices of self and others and willingness to engage in continuous professional development. There are others along the same vein and I am quoting from actual, recent specifications here. Yet we are utilising these very qualities in daring to wear a skirt in general society. I wonder how it would be taken if we appeared to an interview wearing a skirt and gave the skirt as an example of these qualities?

[Grok]

Or-being a coalition-does it lack sufficient coherence to have a goal larger than camaraderie?

Camaraderie is important, for without it we'd indeed be lonely and very, very isolated.

It occurs to me that the Internet is an enabler. With the exception of kilting, there would be a handful of very isolated individuals, and their efforts would die with them.

I suspect that there may be a number of closeted men who are Skirtonians-still a small minority, in total-but perhaps not quite as bold as the members of this forum. There may a considerable number of men on the cusp. It is hard to be more specific at this point. As for those on the cusp, I suspect that they would take baby steps rather than a bold leap.

[crfriend]

As one in the computing field we always used to joke that the good thing about standards is that they aren't.

That's the other side of that particular coin.

For the rest of the male fraternity I don't think that a lot of them even think that it's possible for a man to wear a skirt - they are just a part of the female ensemble along with blouses, bras, high heels.

I believe that this comes down to more of a case of ignorance than hostility -- they've never considered the possibility of it because they've never even thought of it to begin with.

To actually turn their minds to the possibility is a major effort.

This is where the "ignorance/hostility" thing comes into play. Ignorance is an entirely curable condition that exposure to new ideas helps cure; hence, it's up to us to be part of that exposure process that will get guys thinking -- and that's the reason I tend to dislike outlandish designs that make the wearer look silly.

On the note of "looking silly", that's entirely subjective and on the part of the observer; the only control we have over that is our presentation and behavior. If we're skulking around looking like we're doing something wrong then we will be perceived that way; on the other hand, if we stand tall and proud and simply let our internal confidence shine through, that's what the onlooker will see -- and hopefully be made curious enough, even if only for a moment, to contemplate the notion of skirts for guys.

It's the little steps that count, and, even though it's cliché, "The longest journey begins with the first step." There's also one that I try to embrace and act upon, "Be the change you want to see in the world."