How to normalise skirts for men: proactively reduce the barrier to entry

[jamie001]

Yes, the kilt does not help us to escape frm the Man Box. Skirts are the only way out of the Man Box!

We have seen discussion of other types of personal expression, such as jewelry and nail polish.

Grok, I agree also with nail polish on jewelry. The problem with kilts is they are already coded as a male item. They do not push the envelope. They are just another form of accepted and recognized male clothing.

[Grok]

Think of kilting as training wheels for skirts.

[Uncle Al]

The problem with kilts is they are already coded as a male item. They do not push the envelope.
They are just another form of accepted and recognized male clothing.

Yes, kilts ARE accepted but getting men to wear them is what is needed.
Then, after a long while, a kilt can become a skirt

Yes - I KNOW a kilt is a type of skirt but getting the rest of the public accepting
them, as a common everyday item, is what we really need. Baby Steps

Uncle Al

[Barleymower]

Here's a new angle, eradicate families and then men's skirts will go mainstream.
For what it's worth, I believe that if friends and family will not respect your right to choose, they don't place much value on you as a person.

I met my Dad for the third time in my life yesterday (he lives in the USA). He said "you are a bit odd aswell, aren't you". He's my Father so he feels he can say whatever he wants. But here's the thing: I owe him nothing, he was gone when I was two. So I calmly looked at him and said "what do you mean by that Peter?" You have to care to be hurt.

[Grok]

I agree with Uncle Al, baby steps

[Mouse]

I think we have to be aware of local conditions and it is clear to me that if you grew up in Scotland, or certain parts of Ireland, the kilt, certainly in it's tartan form, is just as part of the man box as a pair of jeans is to us down south or in the US.
I am sure that there are other skirted garments in other countries that have similar places in the local man box.

What some of us want, is to have the same choice of dress as the female population, and not a limited few skirts/kilts in allowed patterns and colours. So for some of us, a kilt is a stepping stone while to others, it is a sad skirt from the limited man box, when a pretty skirt is required.

Each of us has to navigate our own route to the skirts we want to wear. While dealing with friends and family and other local conditions.

[Grok]

Given the title of this thread, I think it appropriate to discuss baby steps. If that includes a skirt like garment from the Man Box, fine.

This may seem timid to some, but the Taboo has been very strong.

[STEVIE]

Given the title of this thread, I think it appropriate to discuss baby steps. If that includes a skirt like garment from the Man Box, fine.

This may seem timid to some, but the Taboo has been very strong.

The Taboo isn't strong Grok, for most men it is overwhelming to the point that wearing anything not designated male/masculine is beyond their comprehension.
It will split families wide apart and it has probably led to a considerable number of deaths by suicide too.
The problem is that adopting any male assigned skirt type doesn't even dent the taboo, more like it provides it with positive reinforcement from a historical and cultural credential for added effect.
Frankly, I don't believe that we will see skirts for men become mainstream in any of our lifetimes, but hey, got to hope.
Steve.

[phathack]

From my perspective the only barrier to my skirt wearing was in my head.
It started with basic black and navy colors, I've expected someone to say something but its never happened people interact with me normally. Has there been the odd stare or double take, sure but thats been it. I've compound the double look with bright colors and patterns that are rarely found in the drab word of men's clothing so Yea I'm the guy with the printed skort or maxi skirt.

[Barleymower]

All great skirts Phathack, I especially like the last one with skulls and bones. Coco comes to mind.

[yardstick]

The problem with kilts is they are already coded as a male item. They do not push the envelope.
They are just another form of accepted and recognized male clothing.

Yes, kilts ARE accepted but getting men to wear them is what is needed.
Then, after a long while, a kilt can become a skirt

Yes - I KNOW a kilt is a type of skirt but getting the rest of the public accepting
them, as a common everyday item, is what we really need. Baby Steps

Uncle Al

I agree with the above as although Kilts may be accepted the issue to the general non wearer trying it for the first time is getting used to the double takes and the movement which for previous non wearers takes some getting used to. As someone who started with a utility kilt in public I was extremely nervous however because it was an accepted male item I felt I had the answers should I be challenged, without which I doubt i'd ever have got out of the door.

Once i'd got used to the above I then progressed onto the ubiquitous denim skirt as i'd got to a point where the first two challenges were no longer an issue and here it also helps that companies like ORTTU clothing do a mens range despite mine coming from the other side of the aisle.

When it comes to bold patterned skirts then double takes can be almost inevitable for both sexes simply because you are different which immediately alerts peoples interest out of curiosity just like having bright pink hair for example but by this time confidence should be high enough to just ignore it.

[Susie]

How about when a male attends the Met Gala in what appears to be a dress, it's not reported as a 'robe'?

[Mouse]

......I've compound the double look with bright colors and patterns that are rarely found in the drab word of men's clothing so Yea I'm the guy with the printed skort or maxi skirt.

I love your three skirts. I wear whatever colour or pattern I like now. The brighter the skirt, the more comments you tend to get in the outside world.

[robehickman]

Being looked at should be seen as nothing more than you are doing something that has caught someone's attention.

The above is a great example of a garment where the curved profile of the silhouette was designed to harmonise with the shape of a female body, and won't look right on a man. The floor length garment in the same post also deliberately bulks the hips to exaggerate the female form - this is best avoided on most men.

[Mouse]

I like a some flair from my waist in a skirt, since if you do not get enough room in the skirt around your hips, the lump that a man has, tends to show, and some women do not like too see such lumps in a skirt front.