The Importance of Skirt Length

[JeffB1959]

Forgive me if this question has already been asked since I'm still relatively new here, but just how important is skirt length to everyone here? Just how comfortable are you going out in skirts that end at the knee or, in the case of Christopher J., going out and about in miniskirts? Yesterday, I bought this skirt from Old Navy:



I found it to have been a charming skirt that ends a good four inches above the knee, however, it's something of a departure for me. Even back when I crossdressed, I always wore knee length or longer skirts as I was somewhat self-conscious about showing off my legs, and yet, here I am, wanting to wear something a good deal shorter in public as a guy, if but for no other reason than I like how I look in it. I find that rather interesting to say the least.

Does anyone here struggle with wearing short skirts or is it no big deal? What's your comfort level in this endeavor? I'd really like to know. Thanks!

[r1g0r]

hey jeff! good to see ya here (as well as hhforum)...

i simply don't wear shorter skirts, with the occasional exception of one of my kilts.

all of my skirts are at least knee-length, and most are lower calf or ankle/floor length. i am very aware of the looks of my legs, and aesthetics are very important to my choices.

some may feel comfortable in shorter/mini skirts, but i know i look better in longer lengths.

but my hat is off to those that comfortably wear short skirts, i wish i was comfortable in them as well!

[pepsie1]

Interesting skirt. I have the identical style purchased several years ago at Old Navy. My skirt falls slightly below the knees depending on how I wear it on my waist. You must have really long legs. I wouldn't wear this one out and about unless I wore something underneath it. I have several knee length broomstick skirts that really compliment this skirt when worn underneath. Regarding length about the shortest I would wear out is about 4 inches above the knee. I have quite a few 12 and 13 inch fall minis that are fun around the house and yard but I would never wear them out in public. I do wear short cutoff levis out and about so its not about exposing my legs but rather the security of not exposing what may or may not be underneath.

[ChristopherJ]

. . . or, in the case of Christopher J., going out and about in miniskirts?

I see - I'm getting the reputation of a wanton hussy around here . . .

Only joking Jeff. I like the length of the skirt that you have photographed there - but as I am very skinny, any skirt like that - IN MY OPINION - would emphasise my tallness and skinnyness in an unflattering way.

I'd like a couple of knee length skirts (actually, a couple of inches above the knee would be right for me) - but any such skirt would need to be a bit more flared to look good on me - perhaps a kilt or a kilt style of skirt - to break up the drainpipe shape of ChristopherJ.

I wear short skirts because I think they look good on me. And also - I like the look of my legs (particularly in leggings or tights). Why not? This is not as weird as it might sound. Apart from the obvious - "if women can show off their legs, then why can't men do the same?" - there is also good historical precedent. From the 13th Century through to the 18th century men commonly wore hosiery (knitted or woven tights) and fairly short skirt-type garments. The very shortest came about half way down the arse - and so the genitals were covered with a cod piece. I am hoping this does not come back into fashion.

Anyhow, my point is that it used to be fashionable for men to show off their legs. I have read of King Henry VIII putting padding into his tights to improve the shape of his calves. But we seem to be in a position today when - in terms of male fashion - the man is either portrayed as an asexual object or has the (sexy) lower male body parts (legs, hips, bum, crotch) de-emphasised in favour of the upper (non sexual) parts such as the arms, chest, face , hair etc.

Anyhow - all that is by the way. What I am particularly interested in - but which deserves a thread of it's own (and I'll start one soon) is the question - does a short skirt on a man send out a similar sexual or suggestive signal that a short skirt on a women does?

It is interesting to speculate what sort of message a knee length skirt sends out.

[BBB]

Its all down to your shape and what fels comfortable. As a short fat legged person, kilt length is OK on me, but I could not get away with a short skirt.

Christopher J if you have it flaunt it sir, in my case covering up is the kindest option

[DavidsSkirts]

I have mini skirts (some similar to the ones Christopher prefers); a couple similar to the denim one pictured (which would come to just above my knees..), and some longer sarongs and skirts.

How short I wear a skirt depends on how trim I look - if I look too fat, I will go for knee-length..

Bicycling and walking - especially where there are plenty of hills - are still the best exercises for producing good legs...

[JeffB1959]

r1g0r: Yeah! I certainly get around these days! Heh! I also have longer skirts (purchased at Goodwill) and while they look good on me, especially when paired with high heeled boots, I also like shorter skirts as I feel confident enough to show off my legs.

pepsie1: I stand 6-2 and, yeah, I have long legs. I can understand the concern of security and showing off what's underneath, that's why briefs are a must, particularly dark colored briefs so mot much shows.

ChristopherJ: You? A wanton hussy? The thought never entered my mind! HA! As I just mentioned, I'm 6-2 with an average shape for my height, at one time, I was 240 pounds and had a sizeable paunch, but I went on a diet and trimed nearly 40 pounds since October (currently at 202), and look a great deal better as I can fit into a size 12 skirt today. As for your look, I must say that it certainly works for you, especially with the tights. Perhaps I'll incorporate that into my style. In the end, I guess we all have to decide what skirt length will look best on the person that sports it.

As for your question about a short skirt on a man sending out sexual signals----hmm! That's certainly an interesting question!

[Sarongman]

Aw, c'mon DavidsSkirts, everyone here knows paradise stops south of the Tweed

[mfm3073]

I prefer my skirts to be atleast knee length or longer. This way I don't have to worry too much if I am showing too much of one thing. Since I have been wearing pants all my life you tend to neglect this little detail

[Since1982]

I like your little birdie, David, your skirt seems to be coming apart along the hem tho..

[SkirtDude]

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[crfriend]

I stand 6-2 and, yeah, I have long legs. I can understand the concern of security and showing off what's underneath, that's why briefs are a must, particularly dark colored briefs so not much shows.

Think of that piece of advice as akin to the bridge-builder's notion of "never work without a safety net". We're all careful, but one slip at the wrong time can be disastrous.

I went on a diet and trimmed nearly 40 pounds since October (currently at 202), and look a great deal better as I can fit into a size 12 skirt today.

Good job on the weight loss. Your body will thank you for it in the years to come.

[ChristopherJ]

JeffB1959 wrote:
I stand 6-2 and, yeah, I have long legs. I can understand the concern of security and showing off what's underneath, that's why briefs are a must, particularly dark colored briefs so not much shows.

Think of that piece of advice as akin to the bridge-builder's notion of "never work without a safety net". We're all careful, but one slip at the wrong time can be disastrous.

'Disastrous' is a bit too strong a word to use in my opinion. I wear dark underwear and - more often than not - leggings or tights. So most of the time I am well covered up (well, the private bits are anyway) - and I prefer it like that. But, what is the worse than could happen in any case - someone could catch a glimpse of my underwear. Well - big deal. Not.

However - if a man in a skirt sits legs akimbo - then obviously the situation goes beyond a mere glimpse of underwear into the realm of 'flashing' sort of thing and that IMO is in the worse possible taste and would probably make anyone sitting or standing nearby feel very angry.

[crfriend]

'Disastrous' is a bit too strong a word to use in my opinion.

Credit, please, where credit is due, and damnation where that's due. The "disastrous" notion was mine, so I should shoulder the latter.

That said, I suspect that most of is here share the same aesthetic: "Don't flash." And that's a good thing. There's precious little percentage in horrifying the natives.

Thanks, lads, for being modest -- even in short skirts!

[JeffB1959]

However - if a man in a skirt sits legs akimbo - then obviously the situation goes beyond a mere glimpse of underwear into the realm of 'flashing' sort of thing and that IMO is in the worse possible taste and would probably make anyone sitting or standing nearby feel very angry.

It's situations like that which make proper posture and vigilance (as in making sure you sit with your legs together) all the more important, especially when wearing a short skirt. The sight of a man in a skirt is, in the eyes of most of society, unorthodox at best, to be a pantyflasher, intentional or not would definitely not be good. Bottom line: be careful out there!