skirtcafe.org

I've noticed quite a few articles recently in the fashion press (e.g. Vogue) proudly stating that skirts and dresses are now a "thing" for men. That's great, but how and when will this translate onto the high street? What retailer(s) will be willing to take a commercial risk to promote it? Until (if ever) this happens, and it remains in the domain of couture, any man who wants to wear a skirt or dress will still have to cross the aisle in the shops. Not that I mind, but it's very difficult to see it moving towards something where you might occasionally see a man in a skirt or dress since most men will not even realise that skirts and dresses are an option for them already. I didn't until a few years ago when stumbling across this forum changed my views!

It is not like there is going to be a big billboard on the highway promoting same or TV advertisements.
Not even a subtle hint about the men's skirted movement.

Almost like the SkirtCafe in hidden camouflage mode !

But it is a movement that is happening gradually - not with sabre light speed - so don't blow out any candles yet !

Just keep wearing the conversation starters - I am noted as "That Skirted (Kilted) Man" in my neighborhood !

The problem is that high fashion isn't meant to be sold in shops and worn by customers; it is meant to draw attention to a label. It is just a form of branding. In spite of all the years of weird and wonderful creations by these fashionistas, you still can't even but a simple straight or A-line denim skirt for a man in any major store, High Street or shopping mall. Men's skirts are like SCUBA gear; available only in a small number of highly specialised outlets and only wearable in the most limited of contexts. Sad but true.

It quite literally just takes a manufacturer stitching a "unisex" or "mens" label on a skirt and possibly sizing the waist in inches (for U.S. shoppers anyway) as most men wouldn't know what their "womens" size is.

Indeed, men's sizing matters. I had no idea I was a size 12 until I ordered my first Macabi which also had sizing in plain inches which made it easier for me to make my selection.

Then the retailer just needs to set up a display over on the men's side of the store and that's it! Men's skirts are now a thing!

Best part is, it requires virtually no additional investment. If they don't sell, just take them back over to the women's side.

It's not like men's skirt would have different atomic configurations, they're all basically the same other than the tag and the sizing.

I thought about mentioning pockets, but really, what needs to happen is the hand bag needs to be degendered as well. The fact that a hand bag is seen as feminine is quite retarded. Its a bag for God's sake. For millennia while men wore skirts, tunics, caftans, etc, they used bags to carry their personal things in.

Additionally carrying a hand bag is better for your back as having a big bulky billfold on your back pocket sometimes can cause posture problems.

And don't call it a "murse" or "man bag". That's just stupid. When men do that crap it makes me ashamed to be a part of that gender.

When men no longer feel they need to beat their chest, men's skirts will become "a thing"...

Yeah.. good luck with that...

moonshadow wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2020 12:44 pmThe fact that a hand bag is seen as feminine is quite retarded. Its a bag for God's sake.

That seems to be a New World thing, possibly even limited to the USA. European men are known to carry bags and have been for years (I recall one Brit who worked for the same company as I in 1980 who habitually carried a bag). The Americans tended look a bit askance at him but eventually got over the matter and accepted it.

I'm not sure about Aussies and Kiwis.

crfriend wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2020 2:19 pm

moonshadow wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2020 12:44 pmThe fact that a hand bag is seen as feminine is quite retarded. Its a bag for God's sake.

That seems to be a New World thing, possibly even limited to the USA. European men are known to carry bags and have been for years (I recall one Brit who worked for the same company as I in 1980 who habitually carried a bag). The Americans tended look a bit askance at him but eventually got over the matter and accepted it.

I'm not sure about Aussies and Kiwis.

I've started using a Fossil Preston crossbody (mine is moss green/black):

http://fossil.scene7.com/is/image/Fossi ... sive_pdp$Z

the past few weeks to work. Initially I was like, ok.. my keys and wallet. But now it's like, keys, wallet, pen, glasses, contacts case, checkbook (erm, something I never use, but whatever), and so forth. It's kinda messy now BUT it is just that a bag - and a nice one at that. And I bought it used, so it was inexpensive.

Anyhow, was at the post office this morning, and of course I'm using the bag because I need the pen and wallet, and am a bit self-conscious but telling myself IT'S JUST A BAG. JUST THINK OF THE EUROPEANS. And I notice this older Asian gentleman leaving, carrying a small black leather bag with thin strap, bag and strap width smaller than mine and IMHO more "feminine" in that regard (ie, "dainty"), and my fears evaporate. I know this is pathetic on my part, but reassurance helps.

It's interesting that in my experience, people seem to be more put off but the hand bag than the skirt.

I've been called on it a few times.

"Hey uh.... why are you carrying a pocket book?" (All the while saying nothing about the skirt I'm wearing...)

My reply is normally along the lines of, "well, most skirts don't have pockets so....."

If Indiana Jones can get away with a shoulder bag, why are we earthlings still hesitant to carry one. You can leave the whip at home if you want to.

beachlion wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2020 6:06 pm indiana-jones-01-4apr18_rex_bq.jpg
If Indiana Jones can get away with a shoulder bag, why are we earthlings still hesitant to carry one. You can leave the whip at home if you want to.

Why leave the whip at home it looks really cool hanging at your waist.
OH and give me the hat too!!!

I'm trying to beat the women at cramming all sorts of useless stuff in my bag

beachlion wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2020 6:06 pm indiana-jones-01-4apr18_rex_bq.jpg

If Indiana Jones can get away with a shoulder bag, why are we earthlings still hesitant to carry one. You can leave the whip at home if you want to.

Nahhhh! The whip comes with me. Helluva fashion accessory!

steamman wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2020 8:23 pm I've noticed quite a few articles recently in the fashion press (e.g. Vogue) proudly stating that skirts and dresses are now a "thing" for men. That's great, but how and when will this translate onto the high street? What retailer(s) will be willing to take a commercial risk to promote it? Until (if ever) this happens, and it remains in the domain of couture, any man who wants to wear a skirt or dress will still have to cross the aisle in the shops. Not that I mind, but it's very difficult to see it moving towards something where you might occasionally see a man in a skirt or dress since most men will not even realise that skirts and dresses are an option for them already. I didn't until a few years ago when stumbling across this forum changed my views!

indeed, there have been a number of article all stating that 2020 would be the year for men to start wearing skirts. Having had a look on what was shown by Vogue on the most recent men's fashions shows, nothing of the kind and if skirts were presented they were worn by women. Via GQ-magazine only Hed Maynar had some things that look wearable, both skirts and dresses. For the rest either wearable skirts and dresse were not in the show or not selected for showing via Vogue, GQ, etc.

If you do search quite carefully, you will find quite a few collections with men in skirts and dresses. But, to my earlier point, what is frustrating is that for a retailer, there is virtually zero commercial risk in marketing a skirt for a man. What is the worst thing that can happen? Men don't buy it? Indeed, and they can simply be sold on the womens rack instead! It's time that all clothing was sold non gendered.

If trousers had a hip dimension in addition to waist and length they could truly be de-gendered.

steamman wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2020 9:24 pm If you do search quite carefully, you will find quite a few collections with men in skirts and dresses. But, to my earlier point, what is frustrating is that for a retailer, there is virtually zero commercial risk in marketing a skirt for a man. What is the worst thing that can happen? Men don't buy it? Indeed, and they can simply be sold on the womens rack instead! It's time that all clothing was sold non gendered.

That requires being able to think out of the box.