JR: Of course, there's no way to know what the models might be thinking as they pose. It also true that in that profession you have to get into whatever attire is presented to you, no matter wether you like it or not. But, on the ther hand, models are very rigorously cast according to their capacity of conveying any given expression, so it is quite likely that a "distant" or "vague" or even "unadjusted" gesture was precisely what was asked from them. In other pics from this collection, models look more like they're enjoying themselves, and precisely in those I didn't post: the most "androgynous" ones.
r1g0r: Yes, I agree... good legs are a must for short skirts in both sexes, so, let's start working out!
Since 1982: Your "borderline" is very well defined and quite reasonable: if it's manly, it should have space for your male parts, and, one should add, there's no need for space for (or fillings to replace) female parts... anything other than that is crossdressing. Sounds sensible. Did I get it right? Does anyone else agree? My boundaries are not quite so clear: I did have to "tuck-in" my parts a bit to fit into some pants I used to buy from the ladies section, and still I had no intentions of "passing" as a woman or even to look like one: I simply loved the style of those garments... male pants are never so graceful. Nowadays I don't face that problem any more: I simply copy the style and sew my own trousers (only with some more space around the crotch area!
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Imadube: I really had no intention of "disturbing" anyone. Let alone discouraging you of wearing whatever you fancy! There is no problem with you, Imadube: you already have to deal with being called a "pervert" in a conservative environment. I, on the other hand, live surrounded by artists, designers, and all sorts of "weird", "crazy" people (most of my male friends are gay) and, although I'm the only man wearing skirts all the time, my environment is actually "male-skirt-friendly". Please understand: I beg you to forgive me if my unrestrained "fashion freedom" might cause you any distress. Now, that being said, I wonder, what makes you label something as "non-manly"? Why does it upset you?
As for the pics, they were only, lets call them, "try outs" by fashion people which, like any other pilot experiments, most probably will never reach the market. No need to fear: you'll never have to wear that!
From the beginning of civilization, artists and other creative people have always gone way beyond the accepted limits and, yes, sometimes they do take things too far. On the other hand, they reflect the general tendencies of their times. Lets face it, in our own times, gender concepts have been constantly changing and evolving (in a positive way, I think). As females emancipate and take over garments traditionally atributed to men, it is only natural for us guys to start borrowing garbs from their closets. How far can we get without loosing our "manliness" is anyones guess.
I personally don't think girls are loosing their feminity as they show themselves assertive and commanding in the corporate world in a three-piece suit , or exercising their authority as a female-cop, or even their strength in a contruction worker's overall. Think about it: there's no way a woman can crossdress anymore. She can wear whatever she pleases from either side of the aisle! Should we loose our manliness if we conveyed "fragility" or "creativity" in our outerware? And, most importantly, how far can we go?
I don't have the answer. But some designers (like Marc Jacobs, under these lines) are bringing not only skirts to their runways, but also other garments thought of as "girly" by traditional standards. Will we end up in a world with all guys looking like sissies? I don't think so. Current women don't look like "tomboys" to us, but they would have to former generations. We will eventually reach a balance (and hopefully, a closer approach and a better understanding between the sexes).
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Jacob's and other designers' bold ventures will slowly open people's minds about us wearing skirts.
Will the day arrive when the term "cross-dressing" will disappear altogether? When anyone can wear anything, no matter how high the heel and how frilly the dress? I'd love that, but I'm afraid it'll never happen. But I'm confident our society at large will be more respectful about our choices.