Out and About -- In the World at Large

[Tackleberry]

Went for a walk after work around the local lakes and passed 3 people, unbelievably they never noticed

Some 50 jogging steps past you they turned and commented did you see that ?
He almost dared me to track my eyes to what he was wearing.
The unnerving gall to play the game who blinks first is the loser.
Well we showed him !
Hey stop that Oh Oh he put the hex on you caught you looking back !

The need for a candid rearview camera is the answer to this !

ROFLOL !

That's the thing, the first one was on her own and disappeared around a corner, the last 2 (a couple) I heard before I saw them and heard them for a while before disappearing out of sight too and didn't hear them say anything either...!!!

[ChrisM]

I was at work, talking to a newly met colleague. I was wearing a mid-calf wool skirt, and my new dangly onyx ear rings. We were speaking in general of my penchant for engineering innovation, and the degree to which it had been valued by the US military while I was in the service of the Pentagon. Then I made some comment like "well, being unconventional runs in all aspects of my life..." while I gestured to highlight my skirt.

The good bit: The lady said "Oh, yes, I never thought of that. Here in Vancouver we don't care what a person wears, but I'll bet there are parts of the USA that would notice."

And it really is true. People notice, but they don't care. And that's as it should be.

Chris

[Caultron]

?..And it really is true. People notice, but they don't care. And that's as it should be.

Hear, hear!

[Pdxfashionpioneer]

"notice, but don't care, as it should be"

Be careful of what you ask for, here in Portland, the people who notice the skirts and dresses I wear often say nice things. I prefer that to indifference.

[Tackleberry]

"notice, but don't care, as it should be"

Be careful of what you ask for, here in Portland, the people who notice the skirts and dresses I wear often say nice things. I prefer that to indifference.

In my part of Oxford (JUST outside of) the people I've passed in a skirt haven't noticed...

[Eborian]

And out and about in Somerset and Wiltshire no one has noticed(or has been too polite to comment.)

[kingfish]

The past weekend was spent in Boston mostly kilted. I attended a local science fiction convention called Arisia. (http://www.arisia.org) It is a fan run non-profit conclave of all beings nerdly and geekly with an estimated attendance of about 4000.

Friday's ensemble consisted of a white turtleneck, black utility style kilt from Got Kilt, white thigh high socks from torrid (folded down like kilt hose), and gillie style shoes in size 11 from the ladies clearance rack at Bob's stores. The first and I think only comment I did get came from a lady outside while I was busy getting my luggage from the sidewalk to the lobby. It was compliments on me not being regimental. My knee has been giving me trouble bending and it was windy out there. I apologized and she replied that it wasn't necessary and informed me that she actually enjoyed my accidental indiscretion.

Saturday during the day consisted of a black t-shirt commemorating the 50th anniversary of Star Trek's airing, a black watch sport kilt and knee high pirate style boots. In the dealer's room I ran into the vendor I'd bought that kilt from and wound up purchasing another sport kilt and matching flashes in Royal Stewart tartan. I received more comments on the t-shirt than the kilt. Saturday night for dancing, I changed into a red satin shirt, black velvet leggings, and a pair of black suede over-knee style boots with a 3-12" heel. That got quite a few looks and compliments.

Sunday, I went for the new purchase, and paired that red kilt with an almost matching solid red polo shirt with the star trek (original series) engineering symbol embroidered on the chest, white socks and the gillies from Friday. Once again more comments on the shirt, including the ones about re-shirted characters getting killed on away missions. That afternoon in the dealer's room I received a ribbon from one of the other attendees that said: "Bow ties are cool, but kilts are sexy!"

Monday I was back in something bifurcated...I donned a pair of khaki colored jeggings, black mock-neck top and the boots from Saturday night. With leggings and their form-fitting nature, I do pair them with a dance belt to keep from giving impromptu anatomy lessons, but that still didn't change the fact that I received more reaction from them than the kilts.

I've done this convention for the last quarter century, with the last 16 or so skirted. Sarongs, broomstick skirts, knee length pencil skirts, and kilts all, without exception, were either a non-reaction or met with complimentary looks/comments.

[Caultron]

Sounds like fun!

I've never actually attended a sci-fi convention or comicon but by all accounts lots of people dress in just about anything you can imagine. That should make them great places for new skirt adherents but I think being among so many people still scares them away.

[Fred in Skirts]

To day was a busy day for me I had to get blood drawn for tests, then go pay taxes and then go to the DMV to renew my drivers license. I wore my new ankle length navy blue skirt with a dark chambray blouse. The skirt felt great with the breeze blowing it around and against my legs. The were a few odd looks but nothing said in any of the places I went. Now the people in the doctors offices have seen me in skirts before so it was not new to them. I have been to both the county office building and the DMV in a skirt but since I don't go to either very often it is still new to them. Of the odd looks none came from the employees but from the other people who were there to take care of their business. All in all it was a great day.

[STEVIE]

I can't remember the original thread.
The subject was about shops and their attitudes towards guys in skirts. I seem to remember Hobbs being less than helpful.
I bought a new skirt from Warehouse Aberdeen today. The service could not have been smoother.
Sad to report that I was a UK 10/12 when I started my visits to the cafe, today 14/16 is a safer option.
The point, they didn't have a 14 and the seller really looked for me. Size 16 on rack, try on, no question.
I didn't expect one, but the whole experience was enjoyable.
The skirt, comfy, looks good and just needs an "outfit", pics will follow.
Cost £35.00, not a huge spend either.
Steve.

[renesm1]

I can't remember the original thread.
The subject was about shops and their attitudes towards guys in skirts. I seem to remember Hobbs being less than helpful.
I bought a new skirt from Warehouse Aberdeen today. The service could not have been smoother.
Sad to report that I was a UK 10/12 when I started my visits to the cafe, today 14/16 is a safer option.
The point, they didn't have a 14 and the seller really looked for me. Size 16 on rack, try on, no question.
I didn't expect one, but the whole experience was enjoyable.
The skirt, comfy, looks good and just needs an "outfit", pics will follow.
Cost £35.00, not a huge spend either.
Steve.

Great that you have done that. Maybe we should start a separate thread on how to deal with shop assistants. I.e. Best ways of asking for a skirt for yourself, Asking where best to change into skirts to test fit, etc.

What say you guys?

[Pdxfashionpioneer]

Hello Renesm1,

At the risk of boring you all to tears, let me remind you of the advice my United Methodist pastor gave me when I broached the possibility of wearing a dress to church, actually after laying out my whole life story she asked me if I would like to wear a dress to church? When I said, "Yes!" She said, "Then just do it!" I originally had in mind going in front of the congregation to essentially ask their permission. When I tried to suggest that a couple of times, with perfect timing she kept cutting me off and interjecting, "just do it!" ("But don't you think I should ..." "Just do it!" Hollywood couldn't have done better.)

Now I do suggest you only go to stores that are in the business of selling womenswear for money with the goal of making a profit, any other sort would be more inclined to impose their personal predelictions for upholding outdated and nonsensical social norms than the ones dedicated to making money.

Again at the risk of sounding like a broken record, almost any clothing store will be happy to help you find whatever you're looking for and let you try on your selections. It's what they're in the business to do. I have lost count of the number of stores I have gone to and had perfectly fine service. Just be honest (You're buying the skirt for yourself not your imaginary girlfriend who just happens to be EXACTLY your size.), polite, personable and as self-confident as you can manage.

I generally feel more at ease when I go shopping in a skirt and top (I recommend that combination over a dress as it is easier to get in and out of your clothes and can get a look at a wider variety of items). But the saleswoman at the Downtown Portland flagship store for Columbia Sportswear couldn't have been nicer and more helpful if she tried and I was in khaki pants and a polo shirt. They were having a clearance sale and I had a certain skirt and dress in mind. I wound up getting both at deep discount (The skirt is the first piece of camo clothing I ever bought.). Along the way, while I tried on the first round of skirts for size she combed the racks for the same skirt in the next size I was experimenting with. When I found the last example of the dress I was looking for in my size, she gladly offered her opinion on it, that it fit properly and was flattering (I've gotten a number of compliments on it from discerning women friends.). When it came time to check out, she got her manager involved to help her work the discounts available to me so everything hit my budget. I got just what I was looking for and had some fun along the way.

What I'm trying to say is, it's easier than it looks! Just take the straight-forward approach. Ask for help, ask where you can try it on (I'm usually directed to the nicest or most convenient stall available), be honest and be grateful.

Unless Portland, OR really is a world of its own, this less than mysterious formula should work almost anywhere. So many other members of the forum have confirmed that the biggest barriers are in our own heads, that I have to believe that any of you, anywhere can do exactly what I outlined and get the same result. That approach has worked in chain department stores, big box superstores, outlet stores, charity thrift stores, small resale stores and boutiques. And I've been waited on by both men and women.

I confess, I'm more comfortable working with women and have more fun with them, but I have not had any trouble with male salespeople or nosy questions about why am I wearing a skirt and looking for another? Once, in Kohl's, Oldsalt's favorite chain, the male cashier I chanced upon wasn't at all friendly, but it was a particularly busy night and I was particularly clumsy about digging into my purse, etc. Otherwise, I really haven't had any problems.

There's a good chance you will NOT be the first male customer they've had come in wearing a skirt to buy another skirted item, lingerie, hose or whatever. If you are the first, they'll just look at it as another first to check off on their mental list.

Anything else you feel you need to know?

Good! Now just do it!

[Caultron]

..Now I do suggest you only go to stores that are in the business of selling womenswear for money with the goal of making a profit...

What sort of womenswear store has any other goal than making a profit?

[renesm1]

Hello Renesm1,



Good! Now just do it!

Well said!!!!

[STEVIE]

Fashionpioneer & Renesm 1
What kind of store operates not to sell at a profit of some sort?
Besides, I was wearing a skirt when I bought that one. A bit pointless to say it was for my wife/girlfriend whatever.
I didn't have to ask about trying it on, that was offered.
Warehouse UK is female exclusive and that was Hobbs' "argument". They do not have male changing areas. Present as a female, that's OK, but not as a Guy in a skirt.
OK I don't give Hobbs my custom. Co-gender stores are easy' take the garment to the Men's area try it, buy or don't.
I also worked in retail for 30 years or so, I get sellers. In the main they want to process the sale and send you away. Occasionally, there is a gem, this was one.
As for permission, I granted that to me and just did it.
Steve.