Out and About -- In the World at Large

[STEVIE]

When I was in hospital yesterday, a nurse asked where my trousers were.
On being informed that I don't wear such things, she was clearly taken aback.
Great fun, amused not offended.
Steve.

[Jim]

grey-skirt_3-1-26_cs.jpg

I attend a Mennonite Church, where the culture is plain and simple clothing. This felt right for today.

[CamperGuy]

Went for a walk, coffee and cake in a nearby town earlier this week. I wore my usual black denim miniskirt, but this time with some textured opaque burgundy tights, burgundy bodysuit under a black bomber jacket, and black t-strap heels. A pretty obvious outfit, so did feel a little self-conscious. Only one response - a "Woohoo" from the driver of a builders' wagon passing by at the traffic lights. Other than that nothing.

Then today went for a coffee and sandwich at a nearby village, this time in a new brown corduroy mini skirt (15", slightly shorter than my other skirts, but seems to work well). This time with brown opaque herringbone tights, but regular walking trainers, since going for a bit of a walk in the rain and mud. Pleasant interactions with the few people I spoke to (the female staff of the book shop and café).

Cheers,

Camperguy.

[Barleymower]

Went for a walk, coffee and cake in a nearby town earlier this week. I wore my usual black denim miniskirt, but this time with some textured opaque burgundy tights, burgundy bodysuit under a black bomber jacket, and black t-strap heels. A pretty obvious outfit, so did feel a little self-conscious. Only one response - a "Woohoo" from the driver of a builders' wagon passing by at the traffic lights. Other than that nothing.

Then today went for a coffee and sandwich at a nearby village, this time in a new brown corduroy mini skirt (15", slightly shorter than my other skirts, but seems to work well). This time with brown opaque herringbone tights, but regular walking trainers, since going for a bit of a walk in the rain and mud. Pleasant interactions with the few people I spoke to (the female staff of the book shop and café).

Cheers,

Camperguy.

It's good to get out CG and I'm a bit surprised you got some heckling from a builder. That should be a thing of the past.

[Faldaguy]

Hey there BM: I suppose you need to hear the tone, perhaps other clues, but I'd not assume a "Woohoo" to be heckling -- the guy may have been inspired! But, hardly a put-down or sign of impending doom! Mostly, I consider any conversational opening/gambit to be an opportunity to explain and promote MIS. I don't always tumble to precisely the right gambit or make the most of the opportunity, but I've not found myself worried about well-being. I have avoided an opportunity or two as my assessment was it was not likely to be productive, or the timing simply was not right -- at a restaurant with others.... Anyway, good going CG. Your outfits are striking, and will likely generate more response than some of the more benign stuff others of us wear -- although I wear a lot of colors, and items that may be deemed more 'feminine', we aren't all peacocks with style like Mouse -- and I've not heard him express much fret from the heathen!

[STEVIE]

This is a tale of two reactions.
On a bus, two young people expressed liking for my outfit, office, smart casual, but remarked on the incongruity of my rucksack.
Explained, work attire, work accessory.
Then in a less salubrious part of town, a guy, age unknown and clearly under "influences".
He spotted the skirts, said nothing, but his mimed gestures were clear and more amusing than threatening.
Also managed to share the mirth with another young person who witnessed his inane antics.
His actions had the potential for a whole different outcome though!
Steve.

[Mouse]

........we aren't all peacocks with style like Mouse -- and I've not heard him express much fret from the heathen!

Faldaguy, I am touched to be called a "peacock with style", however there is a serious point about how we present ourselves in the world and present confidence in our appearance.

......A pretty obvious outfit, so did feel a little self-conscious..........

Whatever you feel inside, you should be totally confident on the outside to the point of showing off. If you are totally happy to be seen and move with a purpose, people wanting to be negative, have to be just as confident in themselves, to make their point. Smiling and thanking people for the comments is also part of the game, along with explaining you are a crazy man who likes to dress as he pleases.

[Faldaguy]

........we aren't all peacocks with style like Mouse -- and I've not heard him express much fret from the heathen!

Faldaguy, I am touched to be called a "peacock with style", however there is a serious point about how we present ourselves in the world and present confidence in our appearance.

......A pretty obvious outfit, so did feel a little self-conscious..........

Whatever you feel inside, you should be totally confident on the outside to the point of showing off. If you are totally happy to be seen and move with a purpose, people wanting to be negative, have to be just as confident in themselves, to make their point. Smiling and thanking people for the comments is also part of the game, along with explaining you are a crazy man who likes to dress as he pleases.

Good point Mouse; exhibiting utter confidence despite any inward qualms is perhaps even more important than the mere appearance of confidence. CG has stepped out early and boldly in his public forays and is to be commended for his courage; while still acknowledging on this site that his feeling are sometimes a bit tender. That is the kind of honesty that will resonate with many others that visit this site, and hopefully help them identify and move forward despite their reservations.

Some outfits are so over-the-top that they scream, "Look at me" and clearly say 'yea, I'm crazy and having fun' in a good way. Other outfits do not broadcast that message as clearly and if not worn with utter confidence can invite skepticism from on-lookers. I suspect the acknowledgement of "crazy" needs to be carefully used so as to convey the fun side of crazy, not an opening for 'yea, you are crazy' while thinking the guy needs straightening out. Another way of using our style is for it to be one of personal integrity. That too helps create an atmosphere where comments can be exchanged productively.

[Jim]

My attitude is not that I'm crazy, but that I'm a non-conformist. After all, the Bible teaches, "Do not be conformed to this world."

[STEVIE]

This is out and about in the raw.
Local shopping mall yesterday, and I spotted a lone man wearing a dress.
I had to talk to him, even if it was only to find out if he knew about or was a cafe patron.
Turned out he hadn't heard of us and we had quite a chat.
Cut to the chase, he is straight, celibate and it was his very first time out in such clothing.
Seventy years old and his story would resonate well around here, big time.
A perfect example of a very lonely guy, created by a culture of ignorance, prejudice and superstition.
There but for the grace of the god of your choice, go you or I.
Perhaps, in that very short time, I can think, maybe, just maybe, I presented him with hope.
Salutary reminder Ladies and Gents, for every one of us here with support and fellowship, there is an unknown number in this world with none.
Steve.

[FLbreezy]

There but for the grace of the god of your choice, go you or I.
Perhaps, in that very short time, I can think, maybe, just maybe, I presented him with hope.

Very well said, Steve. This is one of the reasons I tend to push myself out in public on days I may not necessarily be "feeling it."

Perhaps some other man will see me and say "why not?" or a couple will start a conversation and say "would you?!" or someone will consider possibilities not seriously considered.

I've been very much in the public the last few months, out and about every day and in close contact with many people and medical professionals and service workers and it's been very positive and almost routine. I hope I've made a difference to at least one person who was where I was a few years ago. If not, I'm still out there being myself.

[Grok]

Salutary reminder Ladies and Gents, for every one of us here with support and fellowship, there is an unknown number in this world with none.
Steve.

I am 69 years old. So I remember the world when that fellow was a small boy.

During the early 1960s, females were still largely wearing skirts/dresses. Other articles of clothing they wore tended to be more interesting than what males were confined to. Other modes of expression.... Jewelry for men was very constrained compared to that allowed females. A mode of expression such as nail polish was completely forbidden.

If a boy was interested in any of that, he was at best frustrated.

He would sense that he couldn't even talk about this. Imagine a boy asking questions of those around him-why can't boys wear skirts? Why can't boys wear dresses?

His interest...his jealousy...would be locked inside his head. With no apparent support, he might become lonely', because he had to hide away an important part of himself.

I would suppose that this aging gentlemen finally concluded--it's now or never.

[STEVIE]

I hope I've made a difference to at least one person who was where I was a few years ago. If not, I'm still out there being myself

I am 69 years old. So I remember the world when that fellow was a small boy.

Being out and about as your own true self is the biggest difference that any one of us can truly make.
I'm within spitting distance of 68 and, like I said, his story has resonance for many of us around here.
We will never know how many lives have been blighted or prematurely ended for little boys who dared to try on a skirt.
Steve.

[Grok]

Or experimented with other, forbidden modes of expression.

[STEVIE]

Or experimented with other, forbidden modes of expression.

The list of "allowed" modes would be an awful lot easier to compile.
Steve.