Sightings "in the wild"

[PatJ]

"many public establishments like stores and restaurants require shirts and shoes for service"

That line is a pet peeve of mine. Yes, I have seen it posted by many stores and shops on the front door, inside by the cash register etc. The problem is that here in the Midwest, many farmers enter those same stores and shops in their work clothes - and if they have been in the cattle yards, they are also tracking all sorts of manure into those same stores and shops. I don't believe for one minute that this is more sanitary than someone bare chested or without shoes on.

To poke a little more fun at this, what would they do if one entered the store wearing a shirt and pair of shoes but nothing else? Would they get served? After all they are in compliance with the sign.

[Tor]

Perhaps it's more of a habit issue - and the other argument is that dirty floors or not, they probably can't reasonably turn away those farmers, and with the shoes rule (shirts is probably even more down to habit and tradition), at least everyone has something keeping those dirty floors from touching their feet.

The other issue with shoes at least is arguably a real liability concern that shouldn't be one for the stores. Jars get broken, lighting workers break fluorescent lamps (not merely sharp, but hazardous compounds - though these are more dangerous sifting down onto food than picked up by bare feet on the floor), other potentially sharp objects may get dropped, and toe stubbing and breaking is easier with bare feet than with even a scantily shod foot. That said, all of these should be considered a risk that one takes by being barefoot, and no concern of the stores.

Around here, I think violations of such signs are nearly always ignored by staff. As for the shirt and shoes only, I suspect the stores are relying on tradition and possibly missing nudity laws to stop that.

[Fred in Skirts]

In my largely misspent youth, I was always bare foot and never had any problems with being able to enter stores, movie theaters, etc. Then the lawyers got into the act and started the litigation frenzy. All of a sudden I had to be wearing shoes to go where I had gone unshodden before. I still tried and got away with it for a while but then it became almost like a law. I was told that if I did not put on shoes I would have been arrested. I am smarter now and would challenge that threat. Now I have to have something on my feet when I go out as I have diabetes.

Fred

[moonshadow]

Despite virtually every store requiring shoes and shirts to be worn, in many stores I visit, it is not uncommon for men to enter the stores, and receive service without a shirt. I feel the shirt is more a matter of traditional expectations.

Now with shoes, I'd say that's a legitimate safety/insurance concern. Having been involved with grocery stores and other public establishments pretty much all my working life, I can tell you that you don't want to pick up the stuff on public floors on your feet. Stop and consider when Nature calls, do you really want to stand there at a urinal or commode in bare feet with untold numbers of people missing, defecating on the floor, throwing their toilet tissue down there? In the parking lot, with all the spit, throw up, motor oil, antifreeze, chewing gum.. etc etc...

Bare feet were made for bare Earth. Man made surfaces call for man made foot coverings. But far be it for me to come down on those who insist on walking around on non-Natural surfaces in bare feet.... just don't come crying to me when you're trying to dig a piece of broken beer bottle that someone has vomited all over out of your foot.

[sgelerab]

I've been wearing skirts out in public for the last 9 years or so. I've been to an Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field while wearing one. I've flown several times wearing them and received compliments from the flight attendants. I wear them to my church every week and am generally accepted by everyone. Mostly, people don't notice or if they do, they don't say anything. I now no longer really think too much about it and have been surprised when someone has actually asked me about why I'm wearing one.
Since I've lived in Georgia, I've never seen any other man wearing a skirt or kilt and never really expected to. That changed last week when I stopped into a grocery store I frequent from time to time in a little town southwest of Atlanta. It's on my way home from work and I occasionally have used the restroom there to change out of my 'work clothes' into my preferred attire as I call it. After finishing my shopping and getting in my vehicle to head home I noticed three people, two men and a woman, who had just parked and were heading into the store. One of the men was wearing an olive green utility style kilt and at first, I thought I was just imagining it, but as I was driving out of the parking lot I got a better look and yes, he really was wearing a kilt! This is the first time since I've lived in Georgia that I ever saw another man wearing a kilt/skirt other than the occasional bagpiper at a holiday or wedding ceremony. It's great to see that it is catching on!

[6ft3Aussie]

Last Monday evening, I spotted a bloke (probably mid 50s, greying hair with mid shoulder length pony tail) at the baggage collection carousel at Brisbane domestic airport, organising his baggage with a woman and probably 20 year old girl, most likely his daughter.
He was wearing a patterned sarong or similar, nearly ankle length skirted garment.
I looked like he had collected his baggage from the arriving flight from Darwin, NT.

I was collecting our bags with my wife after returning from Sydney, where I met her after she returned from Manila, and about 7 weeks in the Philippines.

We're off to the US at the end of October for a couple of weeks, so will be on the look out during our time over there. Just have to get over the boredom of a 13 hour flight to get to LAX...

Not sure what, if any skirted garments I will take, probably a sarong or two, but by late October, even California is getting cold, like our winter.

[Caultron]

Once in nine years? Really?

Here in Arizona, I see another guys in skirts about once every two months it or so, although right now it's been longer than that.

But once in nine years?

Oh well, the emerging microtrend continues.

Congratulations on the Braves games, BTW. I wear utility kilts to Phoenix Coyotes (NHL hockey) games with very little notice or comment.

Pro Baseball games? Pro hockey games? Home Depot? Is there any male bastion where you can't wear a skirt?

No.

[skirted_in_SF]

Pro Baseball games? Pro hockey games? Home Depot? Is there any male bastion where you can't wear a skirt?
No.

Biker bar?

[Caultron]

Pro Baseball games? Pro hockey games? Home Depot? Is there any male bastion where you can't wear a skirt?
No.

Biker bar?

After a hike last spring our group went to a ramshackle biker bar named The Roadrunner in New River, AZ, about ten miles north of civilized Phoenix. There must've been 250 motorcycles parked outside. But we went in (me in my usual utility kilt) and actually had a pretty good time. I got several compliments for being a rebellious sort and another guy there was wearing a green artificial hula skirt.

So I ask once again, is there any male bastion where you can't wear a skirt?

http://www.roadrunnerrestaurantandsaloon.com

Oh wait. There's also a nudist resort in New River. I guess you can't wear a skirt there. Coming and going, though...

[Pdxfashionpioneer]

Caultron, One more foray like that and we'll have to be you committed to the state mental hospital ... or come to your funeral.

You've got more guts than I brother.

But you came out in one piece you had to have conducted yourself brilliantly! Well done!

[crfriend]

Caultron, One more foray like that and we'll have to be you committed to the state mental hospital ... or come to your funeral.

You've got more guts than I brother.

Paradoxically, some of the places that'd seem the dodgiest from a "fashion perspective" can be filled with remarkably tolerant and open-minded folks.

One of the places I hang out at on the weekends is what could be best described as a "down-market bar in a down-market town". On the face of it, one would think I'd be in for a thrashing just for being there but in point of fact it's stunningly congenial. It's an interesting mix of characters which range from retired folks, tradesmen, businessmen, lawyers, a psychologist, and the occasional engineer.

It's all down to how one behaves. If one is a pushy idiot he'll get treated so; if one slithers around in shame he'll draw suspicion and scorn; however, if he mixes in well and acquits himself well in conversation he'll be accepted -- even if he happens to be wearing a skirt at the time. it's the whole package not just the skirt.

[Caultron]

Caultron, One more foray like that and we'll have to be you committed to the state mental hospital ... or come to your funeral.

You've got more guts than I brother.

But you came out in one piece you had to have conducted yourself brilliantly! Well done!

Thanks, but knew I was home free when I saw the guy in the hula skirt.

[skirtedtaz]

Last year at "New West Fest" in Fort Collins Colorado I spotted several men in utilikilts. Very different for an American Midwest town.

[Caultron]

Last year at "New West Fest" in Fort Collins Colorado I spotted several men in utilikilts. Very different for an American Midwest town.

Festivals do bring them out, sometimes, and Colorado is a liberal and smokin' place.

[crfriend]

[...] Colorado is a liberal and smokin' place.

Indeed. The areas along the Front Range are some of my favourite places. The folks are nice and mostly forward-thinking and the landscape is spectacular where the mountains rise up close to vertically in places. I miss it.