Dated, but very relevant!

[Raakone]

Hey, go to..

http://www.homorazzi.com/article/man-sk ... d-fashion/

I got this from a site called Oddee.com, where they have lists of odd things, today it was 8 oddest accessories for men (but that included clothing types), and at number 8 was "skirts for men", that had the link.

What do you all think? I just don't go with the two guys on the left with the skirts with visible trousers underneath look.

[crfriend]

What do you all think?

Every last one of them looks forced -- Every Last One. I hate that!

There's more to looking like a guy when you're wearing a skirt than simply cluttering the look with (supposedly) uber-masculine accessories -- Yes, I said accessories -- and putting on the gorilla look. For starters, normal guys don't look like gals; our geometry is different, our facial planes are different, and generally we're simply larger. If those clues aren't enough, many guys have the option of growing really good facial hair -- something that most gals can't (or at least won't) -- and that can be used to good effect. All shoving all those accessories (there's that word again) on is doing is showing that one is uncomfortable with the notion that a skirt can actually work well on the male frame -- and look good.

[skirtingtoday]

I never found any H&M store in the UK that ever sold a skirt for men. I believe that they eventually confirmed that they would not stock them. In the US the "trend" stores did apparently sell them for a time and all were sold out but I am not sure if they have restocked.

As for skirts over trousers -> No No NO NO NO - not a good look in my opinion.

The looks on the models are a classic "get me out of here" look - especially the one in the pin-stripe outfit. Why do they do that? Do the designers think it is a "manly" look to appear so grumpy?

[Stevie D]

I never found any H&M store in the UK that ever sold a skirt for men.

When the original H&M wrap-around formal skirt for men came on the market (can't remember when - about 1999-2000?), the Leeds store had them for sale. I bought mine there and still have it, though I haven't worn it for years - mostly because it was poorly designed with insufficient overlap. Unless you were willing to wear it with trousers underneath (nooooo!) you were at risk of inadvertently showing lots of leg, up to mid thigh, if there was a bit of a breeze, or when sitting down carelessly .

[skirtingtoday]

I didn't know that H&M had tried selling men's skirts before 2010 when I first heard about it. I have only been wearing skirts for a little under three years and had not considered the possibility would exist.

I have worn skirts before then but only alone in the house and very very infrequently - then thinking I was alone in trying it out. Turns out not to be the case even though it is still quite rare today (apart from plaid kilts of course) for men to actually wear skirts (look at the "sightings in the wild" section).

After all it took several generations to get women's trousers accepted and that took a world war to get attitudes changes - women in factories and shortage of material for clothes caused them to raid their husband's wardrobe for alternatives...

[Stevie D]

I didn't know that H&M had tried selling men's skirts before 2010 when I first heard about it. I have only been wearing skirts for a little under three years and had not considered the possibility would exist.

At the same time as H&M selling their formal skirt mentioned in my previous reply, they also were selling mens sarongs. They were the basic wrap-around rectangle of opaque cotton material (quite generously proportioned this time) with no frills or dangly fringes. The colour was either dark navy blue or a dark burgundy. Around the bottom third or so was a printed stylised dragon in white, so the whole thing looked somewhat oriental. Quite smart.

I remember buying a couple at the time and sending one to a friend in Finland and another to the late Tom Manuel who originally set up this forum in the days when it was Tom's Cafe. It's been quite a few years since Tom sadly passed away, but it indicates just how long ago that H&M started their experiment with mens skirted garments.

[Since1982]

IF you're going to wear trousers under your skirt, why wear a skirt at all. It FEELS like a pair of trousers, certainly doesn't FEEL like a skirt. As far as convincing anyone that you're really a trousers wearer with a skirtish belt, forget that too. I'd suggest nearly anyone that sees you will simply consider you really really ODD. Flip the coin, land on wear a skirt OR wear trousers and go that way OR the other way. Skirt OR trousers. Any combination of the two is strangerer and strangerer.

[Milfmog]

IF you're going to wear trousers under your skirt, why wear a skirt at all. It FEELS like a pair of trousers, certainly doesn't FEEL like a skirt.

I wear a skirt primarily for comfort and suspect that the majority here do likewise. However, there are many people out there who choose clothes for their aesthetic character; they may be less concerned about how the garment feels physically than they are about how they feel wearing it. For this group the look is everything and skirt over trousers is a definite look; I hate it, but why should that stop them?

As far as convincing anyone that you're really a trousers wearer with a skirtish belt, forget that too. I'd suggest nearly anyone that sees you will simply consider you really really ODD.

"Fashion forward" people often look odd to the ignoranti .

It may also be worth remembering that a skirt worn over trousers for a visual effect does not have the same potential to be misunderstood as a possible fetish nor for accidental (or deliberate) exposure. This may make it easier for some men to overcome their reluctance to wear a skirt.

Skirt OR trousers. Any combination of the two is strangerer and strangerer.

I have to agree that to my eyes it looks dreadful, but a few years ago short dresses worn over jeans was a common sight on the High Street. That has now given way to smock type dresses over leggings or very thick tights which looks OK to me. Of course, it may only look OK because I've got used to it...

It is unlikely that I will ever adopt the skirt over trousers look as I want the comfort of no inseam. Heavy tights and leggings have also failed to hit the spot when I've tried them, though that may be as much to do with sizing as an issue with the clothing type. However, if skirts over trousers were to catch on as a look for men, it would be a much smaller step away from "the norm" for us to choose a skirt because the overall shape of the clothing would look familiar to an observer.

So skirts over trousers are not for me, but I will not knock those who choose to dress that way.

Have fun,


Ian.