Techniques you've used to get more men into wearing skirts

[Faldaguy]

Two quotes I came across along time ago, so cannot cite where they came from:

"It takes a lot of little people,
in a lot of different places
taking a lot of different steps
to change the face of the Earth."

"Never think a small group of people cannot change the status quo - they are the only ones that can."

I cme across them in the 'Disability World' but they are true for MIS too.

I think your second quote is a version from Margaret Mead, widely used in peace circles and such to buoy hope.

[STEVIE]

As men we need to do the same and indulge in all articles of women’s fashion and stop worrying about “do I appear masculine enough?”. That kind of thinking will keep us confined to the ManBox forever with no hope of ever escaping. The first thing that needs to change is that “there is nothing wrong with appearing feminine”. This fallacy that women are inferior has been taught to boys and men for many generations to keep the male patriarchy in power! It is a lie and the sooner that we reject it, the sooner that we will be on our way to making progress.

Hi Jamie.
I like this but I'd also argue one point from my own perspective and experiences in life.
I was never "taught" that females were to be regarded as inferior in any way.
We were brainwashed into thinking that their clothes and mannerisms were taboo and off limits to males, end of.
The damage that caused and is still causing is inestimable.
Steve.

[Barleymower]

As men we need to do the same and indulge in all articles of women’s fashion and stop worrying about “do I appear masculine enough?”. That kind of thinking will keep us confined to the ManBox forever with no hope of ever escaping. The first thing that needs to change is that “there is nothing wrong with appearing feminine”. This fallacy that women are inferior has been taught to boys and men for many generations to keep the male patriarchy in power! It is a lie and the sooner that we reject it, the sooner that we will be on our way to making progress.

Hi Jamie.
I like this but I'd also argue one point from my own perspective and experiences in life.
I was never "taught" that females were to be regarded as inferior in any way.
We were brainwashed into thinking that their clothes and mannerisms were taboo and off limits to males, end of.
The damage that caused and is still causing is inestimable.
Steve.

I would like to add a few points:
Jamie, there's nothing inherently wrong with being masculine or feminine regardless if you are male or female. Each to their own.
BUT some men have felt that they need to to act feminine to wear skirts and dresses. This is ugly to men and women alike. The solution is wear whatever you want and if you are a masculine man, let it show. If you are a feminine man let that show. Just don't pretend to be something you are not.

The problem as I see it is the perception that women are weak. History shows us that women are not weak, they are survivors.

It comes down to our roll in society. Women in most cases are physically weaker than men and men cant have babies. When a man acts as a women people see him as useless. that is he wants a women's roll but cant have babies - he is of no use. Or so it is perceived.

The answer is, wear the skirt but be a man. Or be TRANS. For what it is worth I think we as a society need to make room for different people. BECAUSE "There but for the grace of God go I".

[jamie001]

As men we need to do the same and indulge in all articles of women’s fashion and stop worrying about “do I appear masculine enough?”. That kind of thinking will keep us confined to the ManBox forever with no hope of ever escaping. The first thing that needs to change is that “there is nothing wrong with appearing feminine”. This fallacy that women are inferior has been taught to boys and men for many generations to keep the male patriarchy in power! It is a lie and the sooner that we reject it, the sooner that we will be on our way to making progress.

Hi Jamie.
I like this but I'd also argue one point from my own perspective and experiences in life.
I was never "taught" that females were to be regarded as inferior in any way.
We were brainwashed into thinking that their clothes and mannerisms were taboo and off limits to males, end of.
The damage that caused and is still causing is inestimable.
Steve.

Hi Steve,

I agree with everything that you are saying, however we need to remember the conditioning that we received as young boys.

1. When playing baseball, the insult "you throw like a girl" was always used.

2. Another one my generation has heard many times is "Stop acting like a girl and "man-up".

These insults strongly imply inferiority of the female sex and I really hope that they are not used in the 21 century.

We as males were brainwashed that female clothing was off-limits and that if you indulged in female clothing, it was an admission that you are a gay-homosexual. I hope that this brainwashing is not happening for boys what are growing-up today.

[jamie001]

As men we need to do the same and indulge in all articles of women’s fashion and stop worrying about “do I appear masculine enough?”. That kind of thinking will keep us confined to the ManBox forever with no hope of ever escaping. The first thing that needs to change is that “there is nothing wrong with appearing feminine”. This fallacy that women are inferior has been taught to boys and men for many generations to keep the male patriarchy in power! It is a lie and the sooner that we reject it, the sooner that we will be on our way to making progress.

Hi Jamie.
I like this but I'd also argue one point from my own perspective and experiences in life.
I was never "taught" that females were to be regarded as inferior in any way.
We were brainwashed into thinking that their clothes and mannerisms were taboo and off limits to males, end of.
The damage that caused and is still causing is inestimable.
Steve.

I would like to add a few points:
Jamie, there's nothing inherently wrong with being masculine or feminine regardless if you are male or female. Each to their own.
BUT some men have felt that they need to to act feminine to wear skirts and dresses. This is ugly to men and women alike. The solution is wear whatever you want and if you are a masculine man, let it show. If you are a feminine man let that show. Just don't pretend to be something you are not.

The problem as I see it is the perception that women are weak. History shows us that women are not weak, they are survivors.

It comes down to our roll in society. Women in most cases are physically weaker than men and men cant have babies. When a man acts as a women people see him as useless. that is he wants a women's roll but cant have babies - he is of no use. Or so it is perceived.

The answer is, wear the skirt but be a man. Or be TRANS. For what it is worth I think we as a society need to make room for different people. BECAUSE "There but for the grace of God go I".

Barley,

I almost completely agree with you. Wear whatever you want to wear but don't alter your personality. A big misconception is that you need to be trans to wear women's clothing, makeup, and other accessories. That is a big fallacy! You don't need to be trans. I am a feminine male whether I am wearing trousers or a skirt. My personality does not change. I would change your last statement to the following:

"Wear the skirt and be a masculine man, a feminine man, something in-between, or be trans. Be true to yourself, but do not change your personality because you are wearing women's clothing, makeup, or other accessories." That is how women did it! They didn't change their personalities when they started wearing pants in public. IMHO, this is our only way forward.

Masculine skirts in heavy fabrics, drab colors, and utilitarian designs do nothing to advance our cause of getting out of the ManBox and burning the damn thing down! I am vehemently against any attempts to create masculine skirts and keep men confined to the ManBox to facilitate continuation of the illusion of masculinity. Skirts in all colors and all fabrics, all lengths, and all designs no matter how flowery need to be de-genderized.

[Damon]

I asked Google what would be a way to get men wearing skirts. This was the answer.

Men and boys could be encouraged to wear skirts by emphasizing their comfort and practicality, promoting skirts as a way to express individuality and challenge gender norms, and normalizing them through fashion and cultural acceptance. Normalizing skirt-wearing requires addressing societal fears and stereotypes and could be supported by highlighting historical and cultural precedents where men have worn skirts.
Highlighting Practical Benefits
Comfort and Cooling:
Skirts offer better airflow and freedom of movement than trousers, making them more comfortable, especially in hot weather.
Functionality:
Skirts can be easier and quicker to put on and take off.
Durability and Material Savings:
Some skirts are very durable and require less material to make, which could appeal to some.
Promoting Individuality and Challenging Norms
Self-Expression:
Wearing a skirt can be a powerful way to express individuality and personal style, rather than conforming to traditional menswear.
Challenging Stereotypes:
For some, wearing a skirt is an exciting way to rebel against societal prohibitions and challenge conventional ideas about masculinity.
Emotional Liberation:
The freedom of movement and style offered by skirts can lead to a sense of emotional liberation.
Achieving Social and Cultural Acceptance
Degendering Fashion:
By degendering clothing, the fashion industry can make skirts a viable and desirable option for men.
Exposure through Media and Fashion:
Fashion designers and media figures wearing skirts can normalize the concept for the public.
Historical Context:
Many cultural garments worn by men throughout history were skirts or kilt-like, providing a historical precedent for their use.
Addressing Barriers
Confronting Fear and Stereotypes:
Openly discussing and dismantling the cultural fears and stereotypes associated with men wearing skirts is crucial.
Promoting Equality:
Encouraging men to wear skirts can be seen as a step toward greater equality and reducing [rad-fem hate-speech redacted], according to some sources.

[Mouse]

I asked Google what would be a way to get men wearing skirts.....

I asked the same question "what would be a way to get men wearing skirts" in Elon's Grok and got this

One effective way to encourage men to wear skirts is to start with culturally or contextually familiar styles that feel less like a big leap, such as utility kilts or rugged, structured skirts, which can be paired with masculine elements like boots, button-down shirts, or leather jackets to ease the transition and build confidence. This approach helps sidestep stereotypes by framing the skirt as practical or traditional rather than purely feminine.
Another practical method is to foster community support through online forums and groups where men share experiences, tips, and outfit ideas—platforms like SkirtCafe.org have dedicated discussions on techniques for convincing others to try skirts, emphasizing comfort, personal style, and gradual public wear. Joining these spaces can normalize the practice and provide accountability.
For broader cultural momentum, leverage media and influencers by promoting "men in skirts" challenges on social platforms or highlighting historical precedents (e.g., Scottish kilts or ancient Greek attire), which can spark viral interest and reduce stigma over time.

I was amazed that the cafe was mentioned and wondered if doing the request from my computer, which accesses the cafe often, affects the result? Or are those bots that are always logged to the cafe, noticing the similar question?

[crfriend]

I was amazed that the cafe was mentioned and wondered if doing the request from my computer, which accesses the cafe often, affects the result? Or are those bots that are always logged to the cafe, noticing the similar question?

Yes, lots of the 'bots that trawl the Cafe are likely feeding these "A.I." platforms. I'm not sure how I feel about that, and will need to contemplate the matter a bit.

I doubt there's much that can be done about it, though.

[Susie]

Thanks Faldaguy - I think you are right.

[Grok]

The result of slow baby steps at best will get us masculinized skirts and dresses made of heavy scratchy fabric. You will have you choice of the drab color palette consisting of black, brown, dark blue, and gray. Is this what the folks on the Cafe want?

The question of what comes next appeared in a years defunct kilt forum. (Braveheart Kilt Forum). The answer-sarongs!

I have to admit, if I speculate about what comes next, I am guessing.

[Grok]

How to entice men to try MIS? Add to the list novelty

[Seb]

The result of slow baby steps at best will get us masculinized skirts and dresses made of heavy scratchy fabric. You will have you choice of the drab color palette consisting of black, brown, dark blue, and gray. Is this what the folks on the Cafe want?

The question of what comes next appeared in a years defunct kilt forum. (Braveheart Kilt Forum). The answer-sarongs!

I have to admit, if I speculate about what comes next, I am guessing.

Or Kilts in more non tartan colours/patterns, different cuts and different fabrics, a lot of the non traditional kilt makers experiment quite a lot and this is coming already.
That's a pretty short step from what most people deem acceptable and is a more likley short term step on the way to full fashion freedom. The further the acceptable bar is moved, the more men will join in, and the more that will find themselves as MiS and help push that boundary further.

Remember women did not start by donning tuxedos, in fact it much started with "secret pants" that looked like a skirt in one or another way.

Not saying that anyone here should not go out and wear whatever they want, but I belive if your intention is to get other men to also want to wear skirts or help expand what society thinks is okay for a man to wear, then being just a sliver beyond the acceptable line is the way to go.

[Grok]

Reviewing the Kilt Box:

1. Belted Plaid, Scotland. The original/ancestral version of a kilt.

2. Traditional tartan kilt, Scotland. Notable features-wrap skirt with apron in front, pleats in back.

3. Irish kilts. There is a version or two in solid colors, saffron, and I believe green.

3. Welsh tartan kilts. Minor variation on the Scottish version. Dates back to the 1990s.

4. Utility kilts.

5. Tartan kilts, versions for running.

Then there seems to be hybrid versions.

There is another possibility. The Madras Kilt. Madras is a kind of plaid. The garment seems to have been originally marketed towards women. A short wrap skirt, the hem just above the knee. Apron in front, pleats in the rear. I believe that it wrapped the opposite direction from a man's kilt. There was an attempt to market it to men. I realized right away that it was not offered in a size that would fit me.

[STEVIE]

There is another possibility. The Madras Kilt. Madras is a kind of plaid. The garment seems to have been originally marketed towards women. A short wrap skirt, the hem just above the knee. Apron in front, pleats in the rear. I believe that it wrapped the opposite direction from a man's kilt. There was an attempt to market it to men. I realized right away that it was not offered in a size that would fit me.

Grok,
You had me baffled there, but now I understand.
The Madras plaid seems to be a generic term for some checked fabrics and that's used for all sorts of garments.
Google "Madras Kilt" and that threw up a very expensive designer mini kilt in Madras virgin wool.
Left hand opening, apron front and rear pleats is just a kilted skirt, such as an awful lot of schools use as girls' uniform but there are variations enough that there a plenty out there to fit you.
Steve

[Myopic Bookworm]

I wore kilts for 30 years before daring to branch out into [other] skirts. As well as several traditional tartan kilts and a khaki utility kilt (and formerly a plain Irish tweed), I have kilts in plain blue, brown corduroy, and blue denim. Unfortunately the makers of the last two, Union Kilts, seem to have disappeared. I would certainly welcome kilts in a wider range of patterns and materials.