Pushing my limits

General discussion of skirt and kilt-based fashion for men, and stuff that goes with skirts and kilts.
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andyinaskirt
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Pushing my limits

Post by andyinaskirt »

Well today is the third day off from work and I have only worn one or other of my kilts since mid-afternoon on Tuesday. I've been to a couple of local shops and today I went to the nearby supermarket.
A few odd looks but one of the male assistants commented on how good I looked.
The worst that happened was a small child tried lifting the back of my kilt before the child's mother pulled him or her away rather embarassed
:D

Here is a picture of me relaxing with a coffee after my adventure.
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Uncle Al
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by Uncle Al »

:thumleft:
It only gets better for you the more you go out :D

Uncle Al
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Grand Musician of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Texas 2008-2009, 2015-2016,
2018-202 ? (and the beat goes on ;) )
When asked 'Why the Kilt?'
I respond-The why is F.T.H.O.I. (For The H--- Of It)
andyinaskirt
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by andyinaskirt »

Back to work and bifurcated garment tomorrow. :(
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Pdxfashionpioneer
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by Pdxfashionpioneer »

andyinaskirt wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2020 8:36 pm Back to work and bifurcated garment tomorrow. :(
Why the pants? The UK's a free country.
David, the PDX Fashion Pioneer

Social norms aren't changed by Congress or Parliament; they're changed by a sufficient number of people ignoring the existing ones and publicly practicing new ones.
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Sinned
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by Sinned »

Dave, the UK may be a free country in more ways than one. But managers have their own prejudices and, even though wearing a skirt may comply with the "official" rules and regulations it's sometimes the "unwritten" ones that take priority. As someone who works in retail I have to think about customers who have their prejudices and some are not shy in complaining. I have had complaints in the past about rather trivial matters and since the company wishes not to ruffle feathers I have agreed not to wear a skirt at work and I am happy with that. Just because you have found compliance and acceptance where you are domiciled please don't assume that in another country, another social scene that the same acceptance will be there. That I get no hassle when out and about in a skirt doesn't mean that I wouldn't get it at work. For instance, I one day popped into work in a skirt. I was in my own time and I was behind the counter talking to a couple of my colleagues when an older lady started kicking off about my wearing a skirt and saying that I shouldn't be allowed to do so so one of my supervisors had to politely escort her out of the store. I wasn't aware of it at the time - a colleague told me later. Now that may be an isolated example but it's the sort of scene I try to avoid. My colleagues don't care that I wear a skirt and are very accepting but obviously not everyone is.

I will retire and I have said that in my last few days I will wear a knee-length black skirt as per the company dress code and I don't care what others will think. What are they going to do - sack me? I suppose that they could send me home to change but if they do I wouldn't return. Could be a very interesting last few days.
I believe in offering every assistance short of actual help but then mainly just want to be left to be myself in all my difference and uniqueness.
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Pdxfashionpioneer
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by Pdxfashionpioneer »

One way or another, please tell us about those last few days.

In the meanwhile, I would say the fact that your supervisor escorted the customer out rather than you is quite telling.
David, the PDX Fashion Pioneer

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rivegauche
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by rivegauche »

Yes, the UK is a free country but just because you CAN wear a skirt to work doesn't mean it is without consequences. The first thing is that people have difficulty separating men in skirts from transsexuals. I would have an additional difficulty here as I also cross-dress - I spend most of my time dressed completely as a woman from the neck down (yup, including a bra and breast forms). I add a wig and make-up only for going out in public but will also go out as a man with skirt tights and heels - very occasionally a dress. It is perfectly legal for me to do this and my employers would be fine and I think the same would be true of my colleagues. The barrier for me is that I have a public reputation for what I do and I want to be viewed for my achievements. These are not so great that they would not be overtaken by a reputation for being the guy in the skirt/dress/heels. By keeping things in perspective I get the best of both worlds. I think it has Facebook that has 52 gender options. Who has time to get their heads round that? Most people can now cope with transsexuals and gay people but anything beyond that is beyond their comprehension. I will lead by example as long as I remain anonymous but openly fighting this fight is not for me.
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Sinned
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by Sinned »

Dave, the supervisor is normally quite shy and softly spoken and I was surprised that it was he that escorted the customer out. He didn't tell me, it was another of my colleagues. As I have said, my colleagues are completely accepting of my wearing a skirt in my own time. I have no sense of nervousness in them seeing me in a skirt. The last time we had a night out I wore white jeans and I said that I didn't wear a skirt because I no longer felt that I had to prove myself when out with them and would in future wear what I felt like wearing, whether a skirt or trousers. They understood my thinking at the time. I feel really free and calm knowing that I can wear skirts or trousers whenever I feel like it and don't think that I have to wear a dress or skirt ALL the time, like some of you.
I believe in offering every assistance short of actual help but then mainly just want to be left to be myself in all my difference and uniqueness.
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Fred in Skirts
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by Fred in Skirts »

Sinned wrote: Mon Jun 29, 2020 11:42 am I feel really free and calm knowing that I can wear skirts or trousers whenever I feel like it and don't think that I have to wear a dress or skirt ALL the time, like some of you.
Dennis, I wear a skirt or dress all of the time not because I think I have to but because I want to. I enjoy the freedom and comfort of skirts and dresses over trews.

For me it is comfort first and last!!
Fred
"It is better to be hated for what you are than be loved for what you are not" Andre Gide: 1869 - 1951
Always be yourself because the people that matter don’t mind and the ones that mind don’t matter.
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Pdxfashionpioneer
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by Pdxfashionpioneer »

Like Fred said.

Anyway, I was responding to Andy's post.

Why are your knickers in a twist?
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moonshadow
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by moonshadow »

Well Dave, even you yourself said here,
Your final concern, that this isn’t over, on the other hand, is right on point. In Oregon, LGBTQ individuals have been protected by law from employment discrimination for the last 13 years and transgendered men and women are still discriminated against. Having a law on the books but getting it enforced and fully accepted is quite another.
You know how it is...

Congrats on your skirt wearing btw Andy!
-Andrea
The old hillbilly from the coal fields of the Appalachian mountains currently living like there's no tomorrow on the west coast.
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Pdxfashionpioneer
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by Pdxfashionpioneer »

You're absolutely right Moonshadow!

And the first and absolutely necessary step to making a new law or a new interpretation of an existing law into a practical, every day reality is for the people who have gained the new legal protection is for them to confidently and matter-of-factly assert that right.

So, all my fellow working Americans, off your duffs, back into your dressing rooms and replace those slacks you were going to wear to work with a skirt. NOW!!! :D
David, the PDX Fashion Pioneer

Social norms aren't changed by Congress or Parliament; they're changed by a sufficient number of people ignoring the existing ones and publicly practicing new ones.
new2skirts
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by new2skirts »

rivegauche wrote: Mon Jun 29, 2020 9:14 am Yes, the UK is a free country but just because you CAN wear a skirt to work doesn't mean it is without consequences. The first thing is that people have difficulty separating men in skirts from transsexuals. I would have an additional difficulty here as I also cross-dress - I spend most of my time dressed completely as a woman from the neck down (yup, including a bra and breast forms). I add a wig and make-up only for going out in public but will also go out as a man with skirt tights and heels - very occasionally a dress. It is perfectly legal for me to do this and my employers would be fine and I think the same would be true of my colleagues. The barrier for me is that I have a public reputation for what I do and I want to be viewed for my achievements. These are not so great that they would not be overtaken by a reputation for being the guy in the skirt/dress/heels. By keeping things in perspective I get the best of both worlds. I think it has Facebook that has 52 gender options. Who has time to get their heads round that? Most people can now cope with transsexuals and gay people but anything beyond that is beyond their comprehension. I will lead by example as long as I remain anonymous but openly fighting this fight is not for me.
I have tried pushing envelopes but it has backfired. I have worn corporate skirts with sensible shoes and tights, and sometimes a blouse or shirt - after seeking permission. Although people tolerated my wardrobe in the sense of not directly saying something unpleasant, I could sense their discomfort at times. I could not meet clients for the same reasons above - people expect one to fully transition, although genderfluid fashion is emerging more amongst the young. You rarely see men in skirts, so no matter how sensible the outfit, it will cause waves to some.

I was the guy in the skirt for some time, I still enjoy my pencil skirts but try to wear a varied wardrobe including regular mens attire. My royal blue skirt is now gone, another skirt wearer said he'd appreciate it along with most of mine which I thought were too tight or short. The open fighting of the cause is not so much of an issue as one can wear a skirt, get zero reaction. I have a trade in network cabling, so skirts are impractical for crawling under desks, or climbing ladders to get at suspended ceilings. If I was more office based, then definitely more. I notice traffic has died down, the lockdown may make some re think, even the most flamboyant such as JeffB has not posted for some time.

I had high hopes for Coder and Eightofninekev, for inspiration :blue: I applaud those who wish to advocate the right to dress as one pleases. :eye:
Formerly Kilty / Joe Public etc...
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moonshadow
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by moonshadow »

new2skirts wrote: Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:15 pm had high hopes for Coder and Eightofninekev, for inspiration I applaud those who wish to advocate the right to dress as one pleases.
My daughter informs me that many gen z'ers are getting into male skirt wearing. Apparently it's trending on tick tock (whatever that thing these kids use is called)

Anyway... she blurted out of the blue a few days ago "DADDY! MEN IN SKIRTS IS TRENDING!"

I chuckled and fired back "It's been trending at least five years now... just as long as I've been in the subculture... haven't seen a live one yet!

At any rate... maybe someday we can sit back and say we were wearing skirts before guys wearing skirts was cool... 8)
-Andrea
The old hillbilly from the coal fields of the Appalachian mountains currently living like there's no tomorrow on the west coast.
Grok
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Re: Pushing my limits

Post by Grok »

moonshadow wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 12:30 am
new2skirts wrote: Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:15 pm had high hopes for Coder and Eightofninekev, for inspiration I applaud those who wish to advocate the right to dress as one pleases.
"DADDY! MEN IN SKIRTS IS TRENDING!"
This is great news, Moon Shadow :!: :D
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