Are We Winning?

[SkirtRevolution]

Stu, I really agree with your points in your last post. It’s about starting off small. I think the first goal is trying to remove the “shock factor” of seeing a guy in a skirt. Instead of my neighbour looking at me a thinking ...”what?, is he wearing a skirt?” I hope that we can be at point where they say... “oh, he also is wearing a skirt, I have been hearing a lot about this new trend”. I agree with your use of the word “normalisation”.

Every successful movement in history had it beginning in the same way we are having ours. A minority group begins to share their opinions/ideas, but relatively disorganised and unfruitful, UNTIL a movement is actively established, whereby methods where put into place to voice these many opinions and ideas (in our case fashion) to a the greater public, and as a result establishing public awareness and massive support and growth.

Social media is a powerful tool today that must be used. I propose the idea of each country working on a website (this mean working together with others in your country to make this happen), promoting the idea of M.U.Gs, educating people about the history and culture of men’s skirts’, challenging misconceptions (e.g. a guy in a skirt is not a cross dresser, just like a women in a pair of pants), making people aware of this growing trend in society and fashion designers. These are just a few Ideas. Then linking all of these website together so that people can see this is a western movement.

I look at Utilikilt website. The things that stand out to me is the quality of the website and all the pictures of manly men in kilts, not just a few pictures but many from all over, suggesting that this is a hugely popular garment. Why this is important is because it makes men feel that they too can wear this kilt as it is cool and thousands of other guys are wearing then. This is what we need! Do we have to define manliness, I think not as society has already done this (even if we don’t agree with it or have our own ideas) let’s give it to them the way they will receive it. Like stu said, then we can look at pushing the boundaries of style.

I personally am ready to do what I can to work with anyone in Australia to start developing a website to promote M.U.Gs, men’s skirts, in Australia and then to see all of these other websites come together. I think we need to start to contact the designers who are developing men’s skirts like AMOK, Midas and others. There are moments in France I believe who are doing something similar so let’s start contacting them and working together. It time we become proactive.

[Grok]

But make no mistake, skirtsmanship has some perequisites! You must have an outrageous level of self-confidence, a well defined sense of your own masculinity, and a flair for the offbeat. You also should enjoy being an iconoclast - challenging the conventional, wherever possible - and taking a diabolical delight in messin' with other peoples heads!

Iconoclast - what an appealing term!

What may be achievable during our lifetimes? Consider that a certain tolerance was extended to nonconformist Protestants (see the Glorious Revolution link). What I have in mind is an acceptance of a small group of eccentrics.

[couyalair]

"contacting designers ..."

No!
Designers are interested only in making a name for themselves, getting themselves in the news, not in helping oddballs like ourselves to find comfortable suitable acceptable (etc) garments for everyday wear.

I am very much with those that think that most men will envisage a nonbifurcated garment only if it is as dull and unremarkable as most trousers are already.

Martin (who enjoys colourful tartan kilts, but whose skirts are plain beige or brown).

[Kirbstone]

Especially in Summer (a relative term up here!) when I see a lady in something floaty and floral in the skirt department I admit that I secretly wish I too could wear one of those.
But at age 69 I know full well that not in my lifetime in this part of the World will men ever be seen wearing that sort of garb in public.

Tom

[renesm1]

What we have to do is get about 10 per cent of the population on our side, according to this....

http://scienceblog.com/46622/minority-r ... -of-ideas/

[Uncle Al]

Very interesting article renesm1 but where are 'we'(Skirt Cafe' members) on the road to that
proverbial 10% Maybe at 1% of the 10% Or, more than likely, .01 of 1%

We are still a very small group of men who enjoy comfortable clothing. I'm sure that there are
many more 'out-there' who are doing what we're doing but getting 'that group of men' together
as one cohesive group is a daunting task, one that I don't know how, or if, we can accomplish it.

If you, or anyone else for that matter, have an idea or way of contacting these people, please let
us know. I'm sure we all would be happy to assist you, just give us your process for 'getting the
word out'.

IF a few, maybe a dozen, people were to appear together in dignified*, well put together outfits,
showing that men can - and do - look good in skirted garments, talk with the 'media' stating that
we're looking for 'freedom of choice' in fashion(like women now have) and not impersonating women,
THEN we might stand a chance of getting our thoughts and ideas out to the public.

Uncle Al


*examples of 'dignified, well put together outfits' - -
A professional/business look - A box pleat 'kilted' suit, a tailored suit with a full - knee length - skirt
(not a tight or 'pencil' skirt).
A business casual look - similar to the above, no suit coats or (ugh)ties.
A casual, relaxed look - Shirt and kilt/skirt like this example.
A sports or 'outdoors' look - hiking-1, hiking-2 playing Golf as examples.
These examples are for information only - to get ideas started
(skirted examples were not available - Cafe' members pics were not used in this post.)

[Grok]

"contacting designers ..."


I am very much with those that think that most men will envisage a nonbifurcated garment only if it is as dull and unremarkable as most trousers are already.

.

Most men will not envisage a nonbifurcated garment at all.

And the designers are irrelevant.

I have tried to imagine ways of getting the mass of men to try unbifurcated garments, but history hints that will not happen during our lifetimes.

I expect that only those with a particular interest in skirted garments will break the taboo.

As to the availability of garments - other than kilting - I suppose that one will have to make them, or wear a garment imported from a nonwestern culture.

[Grok]

Guys,
. Actually, I'd love to be able to wear some of the Utilikilt/Amerikilt offerings.

Now how's that? A woman covetous of a MIS look?

Is that a win?
Diana

Thinking back a few years...I remember a comment that some women coveted those large pockets!

[Grok]

skirts4me


Utilikilts would be a good start, but I think we need to add one or two more styles, so that we are not seen as promoting just variations on the kilt, and also that breaking into male unbifurcated garments doesn't have to cost a fortune (Utilikilts are quality garments, but costly!).

Stu

Do you have any particular design in mind?

[Stu]

Grok

Good question. I think one option is simple straight skirts (not "pencil"), or slightly flared or A-line - knee length or just above/below, and made in robust fabrics such as canvas, heavy cotton, corduroy and denim - and with substantial pockets and wide belt loops, and in sober colours such as black, navy, brown, dark green or grey.

Stu

[Grok]

I have wondered if one could make a simple garment, sewing with a pattern.

[ethelthefrog]

I have wondered if one could make a simple garment, sewing with a pattern.

Don't wonder, get started. I've made a couple of practise skirts and a couple that I wear on a regular basis (one A-line, one half-circle). It's easier than you think.

Once you conclude that the production-skirt market never ticks all the boxes (narrow hips, long stride, pockets, front fly, belt loops), the only option left is DIY. I bought a cheap sewing machine for £130 (about $200) last year and haven't looked back. The current project is quite ambitious: box-pleated A-line on fabric I'm having custom-printed with all of the features listed above. I've a hard deadline for this project, too, as I intend to wear it out with friends in London in the middle of September.

Just do it.


Paul

[couyalair]

... on fabric I'm having custom-printed with all of the features listed above.
Paul

Not sure if printed pockets and fly would be very practical!
Better sewn on properly, no?


Martin

[crfriend]

I have wondered if one could make a simple garment, sewing with a pattern.

Don't wonder, get started.

I wholeheartedly concur with this assertion!

Skirts are amongst the simplest garments to make, and if one starts with very basic types patterns are not even necessary; I've made two from scratch without even using a pattern.

By far the easiest types to make are drawstring or elastic-waisted skirts, so I'd advise starting there and working up to more complex designs. If you've just got to have a fly, you'll probably want to pick up a book on sewing because properly setting a fly into a garment, without having it look really daft, can be fairly tricky.

I have a couple of skirts with zips on them (side), and to be honest I prefer the elastic-waist designs for most activities. The zippered ones produce a smoother line near the waist, which is nice, but the fit compared to the elastics can be problematic and one needs to get one's measurements very close.

[ethelthefrog]

Not sure if printed pockets and fly would be very practical!

Touché.

Actually, you make a good point. I think I'll modify my plans accordingly.