In spite of the fact that fewer and fewer women wear skirts, the mindset man=trousers/woman=skirt seems to be so ingrained that it never occurs to many people that it could be otherwise -- in spite of what they see around them.
I've just seen a documentary made for French tv by a recognized expert on prehistory (Yves Coppens), a reconstruction of early human society developing from scavengers to hunters to herders to growers. Of course, we have no records of what people wore so long ago, but is it likely that the most primitive people, without tools, only animal skins or rags, could have taken the trouble to construct bifurcated garments? The film-makers did not even bother to ask the question ... and put all the women in skirts and all the men in trousers. Even in more recent history, we know that the Greeks and Romans were not bifurcators. And in the Middle East robes were for men, whereas women modestly covered their legs by sewing up the bottom of their skirts into something bifurcated. So I feel it is highly unlikely that prehistoric men put their legs down tubes as shown n this film -- mud on their faces and hair, and smartly tailored trousers!
Today, in the west, there are not many places where men are normally in skirts; Scottish gatherings are the one place you expect men to be unbifurcated. In Scottish country dance groups, there may not be even numbers of men and women, so women (usually more numerous) have sometimes to take the man's role. Surrounded by men in kilts, you will hear one women say to another "You be the "man", Mary, you're wearing trousers!"
And when there are too many men, not all in kilts, you will hear "You be the "lady", Martin, as you're not wearing trousers.
This, in spite of what people can actually see with their own eyes.
Prejudices are stronger than reality.
Martin
Who wore/wears what?
Re: Who wore/wears what?
Northern Europe early Spring, Weather fine but cold with temps. in single figures, Celsius. Women of most ages seem to have hit on a style not altigether dissimilar to that worn 600 years ago by Robin Hood of fabled fame........Thick black tights & black top with a long sleeveless pullover/skirt/tunic from shoulder to mid-thigh over....High boots.
Several patients today, our statuesque German receptionist and three of the seven ladies in Church this last evening running a 'World Day of Prayer' service all wore this style with or without a waist belt.
No doubt they are simple and comfortable to wear, and warm, too.
T.
Several patients today, our statuesque German receptionist and three of the seven ladies in Church this last evening running a 'World Day of Prayer' service all wore this style with or without a waist belt.
No doubt they are simple and comfortable to wear, and warm, too.
T.
Carpe Diem......Seize the Day !
Re: Who wore/wears what?
Yup, prehistoric men in "trousers"? Before the Neolithic age especially, when sewing was invented, the only bifurcated garments would be crude loincloths made, with the only difference between them and "skirts" is whether or not one wraps part of the material between one's legs as opposed to around them.
And you're right about the Middle East, or at least "Arabia", the Arabs just wore robes, and underneath they'd wear sarongs (something still worn in parts of Yemen and Oman), the stereotypical "puffy trousers" came much later, from the Persians (with whom they traded, and who they spread Islam to) and the Turks (who embraced Islam, and then ended up controlling most of the Islamic world until European colonialism kicked in).
And you're right about the Middle East, or at least "Arabia", the Arabs just wore robes, and underneath they'd wear sarongs (something still worn in parts of Yemen and Oman), the stereotypical "puffy trousers" came much later, from the Persians (with whom they traded, and who they spread Islam to) and the Turks (who embraced Islam, and then ended up controlling most of the Islamic world until European colonialism kicked in).