Out and About -- In the World at Large

[Milfmog]

In the US, where it originated, BLUE DENIM

Dillon, I'm going to have to challenge that. There are some things that did not originate in the USA, including blue denim. Check this article in Wikipedia or any one of thousands of other web hits for the origin of blue denim. I realise that the USA is a big place, but last time I looked there was still a lot of water between the US of A and southern France.

Despite the note above, I tend to agree that anything can be worn with denim. I'm not saying it looks good (or right) but the slovenly dressing that has allowed denim to become so ubiquitous has also demolished any sense of what does or does not go with denim.

Have fun,


Ian.

[dillon]

On a very technical basis, you are correct, but blue jeans are undeniably American in all influence. They were certainly normal to life for over a century here. I think that was also expressed in the article.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levi_Strauss_%26_Co.

Please note here http://lsco.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content ... Denim2.pdf that the original "serge de Nimes" was partly wool. Widespread use of cotton in Europe did not emerge until after Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, a machine for removing seed from raw cotton. That was the era that it became widely exported from the US to Europe.

[crfriend]

[...] I tend to agree that anything can be worn with denim. I'm not saying it looks good (or right) but the slovenly dressing that has allowed denim to become so ubiquitous has also demolished any sense of what does or does not go with denim.

E.g. the quintessential "denim and diamonds" crowd in Dallas, Texas. (And also the "More hat than cattle" crack that goes with it.)

The actual list of what "does not" go with denim is lengthy, but also widely ignored. Yes, "slovenly" is a good word for it.

[pelmut]

Only one comment was overhead by my colleague, a woman behind me said to her daughter: "Those boots don't go with that skirt".

Without pictures, it never happened Show us a pic of your ensemble please

Pictures now posted at: http://www.skirtcafe.org/forums/viewtop ... 69&t=18360

[hoborob]

I was unaware that in the UK/Europe that Blue is associated with royalty. I have always understood that historically that Purple/Violet were the colors of royalty.

[Sinned]

Hobrob you are right. Purple is a colour associated with royalty in general from roman times as it was a very difficult and expensive colour to replicate in cloth. Blue in England is more associated with the upper or ruling class than royalty and it is only the particular shade of blue called royal blue that has any association and that is because it was designed for dresses of a particular royal. I think, though I could be wrong.

[Ray]

The blue connotation doesn't just apply in England; it applies across most if not all of the U.K.

[dillon]

I won't argue with you of a culture metaphysically lodged in old-fangled tradition. Blue, purple, whatever. Don't recall seeing your royalty in purple recently, but not really paying attention... It's more an amusement to us than a legacy.

[Ray]

Isn't the whole blue/purple colour thing down to the face that blue dye, being extracted from Lapis Lazuli, was hugely expensive?

[dillon]

Most blue came from indigo, which, I believe, had to be imported. Mexico and Guatemala were major producers, though much was also produced in the southern (US) colonies...it was called anil in Mexico. To add red to it required cochineal, from beetles, also exported from Mexico. That would produce purple.

[pelmut]

I had a worrying moment last night in the gents toilet of a Weatherspoons pub in Cheltenham. The facility is located in a basement at the end of a labyrinth of passageways and doors; the sort of place where a call for help would never be heard. I thought the room was empty, but as I was washing my hands, I became aware that another customer was standing behind me. In an extremely gruff voice he said "That's something you don't see very often", looking down at my skirt. His manner was pleasant but his voice made me nervous until I began to realise that it was probably the result of throat cancer or something similar. I explained that I found skirts were comfortable and fun to wear - and he seemed to accept that. Then he asked if I was Gay or something, and I said I wasn't.

With all his questions answered, he then helped me find my way back out of the labyrinth and bid me a cheerful farewell as he went up the stairs to the next floor (no doubt to tell his mates about what he had just seen in the 'gents').

[Kilty]

I had a worrying moment last night in the gents toilet of a Weatherspoons pub in Cheltenham. The facility is located in a basement at the end of a labyrinth of passageways and doors; the sort of place where a call for help would never be heard. I thought the room was empty, but as I was washing my hands, I became aware that another customer was standing behind me. In an extremely gruff voice he said "That's something you don't see very often", looking down at my skirt. His manner was pleasant but his voice made me nervous until I began to realise that it was probably the result of throat cancer or something similar. I explained that I found skirts were comfortable and fun to wear - and he seemed to accept that. Then he asked if I was Gay or something, and I said I wasn't.

With all his questions answered, he then helped me find my way back out of the labyrinth and bid me a cheerful farewell as he went up the stairs to the next floor (no doubt to tell his mates about what he had just seen in the 'gents').

perhaps the crumpled skirt, black tights and workman's boots unnerved him

Went to the shops for groceries whilst wearing a navy pencil skirt from Monsoon, grey tights and knee-length boots. I was wearing a mens polo shirt and was a little bit unsure of my outfit. I was surrounded by young men in tracksuits and jeans and one group of them shouted at me, an offensive homophobic slur, I felt like I might get attacked at one point, but one lady said I was brave and she liked my skirt and boots. I should have shaved my legs and gone without tights. Still, after the exchange I thought I would throw myself out of my comfort zone and go on a bus to Westfield, a large shopping centre and look for a decent top and other accessories to improve my wardrobe. No comments... but nerve wracking nonetheless. I learned that I have to improve my wardrobe. I wouldn't be as bold as EJ Johnson but that's the direction I decided to take. Still it was an interesting day out

[Sinned]

Sorry kilty but I can't rock in the same direction as you. Tried it briefly but not for me and then I discovered this site and realised that you don't have to go the whole 9 yards to wear a skirt or now, even other traditionally female garments. Even though sometimes, well if I'm honest, often, all that I am wearing comes from the other side of the aisle I think I still wear them as a man. Mostly though I mix and match the tops and bottoms to what I feel like at that time. As for makeup it's just too much hassle and high maintenance. Anyway being blind in my right eye it makes putting on eye makeup virtually impossible. I don't want to look like a woman and wigs and so on are out. But if that's your style and you enjoy it then go for it but don't think that you have to.

[Kilty]

Sorry kilty but I can't rock in the same direction as you. Tried it briefly but not for me and then I discovered this site and realised that you don't have to go the whole 9 yards to wear a skirt or now, even other traditionally female garments. Even though sometimes, well if I'm honest, often, all that I am wearing comes from the other side of the aisle I think I still wear them as a man. Mostly though I mix and match the tops and bottoms to what I feel like at that time. As for makeup it's just too much hassle and high maintenance. Anyway being blind in my right eye it makes putting on eye makeup virtually impossible. I don't want to look like a woman and wigs and so on are out. But if that's your style and you enjoy it then go for it but don't think that you have to.

Thats okay, I havent asked you to. We all dress as we see fit. Its all fashion freedom. Take care in Jamaica if you go.

[Disaffected.citizen]

Take care in Jamaica if you go.

I've not been to Jamaica but, from what I've read about "tolerance" there, I'd be very wary of being "different" outside of secure holiday complexes. Allegedly a very high crime rate and you'll stand out not least because you're white; don a skirt and you'll be rife with attention.