Skaterboy wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 7:42 am
There is a profound and unchallenged taboo against men wearing skirts, with a presumption that it is inevitably in some way 'effeminite'. Many male skirt-wearers appear to embrace this perception, and adopt styles that express their femininity. [...] My ambition is to define a distinctively male style of skirt-wearing that cannot be so easily written off, and is effective in challenging the continuing underlying inequality in gender politics.
I have some different perceptions of your take on the public perception of MIS. I might agree that, in some countries, there is a "profound and unchallenged"
expectation (not Taboo) about men wearing skirts. I think to say there is a 'taboo' is an inaccurate and far too strong of word.
You also write that the view of MIS carries "a presumption that it is inevitably in some way effeminate" and that "many male skirt-wearers appear to embrace this perception and adopt styles that express their femininity". Again, I wonder if this is true -- or just a perception in your mind?
"Many" is not a well-defined term, but I would venture that "many" do not presume to be, or seek to be feminine--often times quite the contrary, if I am hearing the men on this sight correctly. And while there are indeed men who do gravitate to more colors, softer fabrics, flowing styles that might be considered more
common to females in this era, they still are not seen as nor necessarily viewed as being feminine but simply MIS enjoying the comfort, color, and art of style AS A MAN, a perception enhanced as they still present and carry themselves as men.
Nor do I think that the general public has a "presumption" that any male wearing a skirt if "effeminate". Such men may be considered a bit different, strange, daring....and many other terms in some folks view, but to generalize that it is a common presumption I think may be more a reflection of your feelings, than necessarily the publics in general.
It is the line you wrote:
Meanwhile I'm just experimenting at home, and getting used to what it means and feels like to live in a skirt.
that makes me wonder if your worries and assumptions about the public perceptions are speaking your truth as you feel it presently -- before setting out in public and discovering as most of us have -- that the public, for the most part, does not seem to give a hoot; nor have any uniform notions about MIS. I cannot recall a single instance of anyone saying or acting in a manner that they thought I was female, trans, queer, or anything but a guy wearing a skirt. Yet, many probably thought my attire was unusual, perhaps even weird -- but hardly worth more than a moments notice. Now, my style is not a "far out" as some, but reading in SC only tells me that you can really push well beyond just being a guy in a blah skirt or kilt and still not be "written off" -- either as a male or in violation of some "profound taboo". I hope that when your skirt wearing, regardless of the choice, takes to the public domain, you too will feel as comfortable and accepted as the man you are without a sense of violating some mysterious taboo! I support you all the way in challenging "underlying inequality in gender politics" -- though you will find, especially with some on this site, that that cuts both ways!