skirtcafe.org

SkirtDude wrote:

tooslowprius wrote: ... I just kind of wonder if that was here in the US would it have been the same?

Sigh. The USA was founded by Puritans many of whom had theocratic leanings.

Actually, it was the very early settlers -- the early colonists, if you will -- that were somewhat theocratically inclined, not the later folk who actually framed out what would become The United States of America. One interesting thing that usually gets short shrift in the history texts is that many of these hyper-religious groups migrated to the New World of their own free will (rather than being driven) because European societies were adopting a doctrine of tolerance to different religious groups -- and there's nothing that a true "My Way is the Only Way" extremist hates more. The hilarious part is that at the beginning, the extremist only asks for "a bit of tolerance" and once in power makes sure that tolerance for anything other than the "Only Way" is summarily snuffed out.

Some things change but I expect us to be "behind the curve" in social tolerance for a Very Long Time (perhaps longer than I am going to live).

Unfortunately, the "Puritan Ethic" (named for just one pack of zealots; there were several) somehow managed to stick as something "desirable". This is sad, because it set a moral tone of intolerance that permeates society and gives rise to such abominations as Jim Crow laws and overt hatred between classes, races, and religions -- but it's entirely and completely predictable given that intolerance was a core component of the ethic that was somehow adopted. We still see the predictable march of extremism (in anything, not just religious belief) the world over, and there's precisely no indication that it's going to let up any time soon.

Finally, societies can -- and do -- change; they just do so at glacial paces. The interesting part is that it can sometimes take just the gentlest of nudges to start that change; just don't expect instant gratification.

All puritans please look away now but----the U.S. constitution was framed by (gasp shudder) a bunch of Freemasons. There is Masonic symbolism in the layout of Washington D.C. and Masonic ethics liberally laced through the constitution itself. Also please notice the "all seeing eye" on the dollar bill. These aforesaid Founding Fathers would be abvsolutely apalled at the current ascendency of the religious right in the government.

Maybe this is just an excuse, but it being either freezing or below kind of kills my willingness to wear skirts. I'd like to but when I go out in them even just to my car I feel a very quick chill that makes me want to run back in the house, even with leggings and boots.

Bri wrote:Maybe this is just an excuse, but it being either freezing or below kind of kills my willingness to wear skirts. I'd like to but when I go out in them even just to my car I feel a very quick chill that makes me want to run back in the house, even with leggings and boots.

If you still want to wear skirts in the cold weather, I recommend knitted cotton or wool-blend tights. For men who don't like the idea of wearing "ladies' tights", these things are indistinguishable from long socks if your skirt is below the knee; and they keep everything marvellously warm. Where I live it's -10 Celsius right now, considerably below freezing, and if I'm wearing a long knitted skirt with these tights it's warmer than pants -- actually sometimes even a little *too* warm, depending on how well the building I'm in is heated.

Cheers,

Inertia

Bri wrote:Maybe this is just an excuse, but it being either freezing or below kind of kills my willingness to wear skirts. I'd like to but when I go out in them even just to my car I feel a very quick chill that makes me want to run back in the house,

Inertia wrote:If you still want to wear skirts in the cold weather, I recommend knitted cotton or wool-blend tights.

Or wear longer (and heavier) skirts.

Knee-length skirts are all very well in the summer, but I have never found them practical in the cold. I have some 33" twill and denim skirts, and have just finished a 33" linen/rayon skirt with a couple of linings which is quite warm even below -10 C. I also have some 1/2-slips/petticoats which make them even warmer.

The only down side to wearing an ankle-length denim skirt is that people are likely to call you Father or Brother (at least in Catholic areas of the US.)

Longer skirts work better in the winter in keeping me warm. When really cold I'll wear leggings or even a pantsliner underneath for additional warmth. I wear a variety of types depending on my mood....just not outside. It's too cold for that.
It's too bad that society in the US isn't openminded enough to support guys in skirts as a regular fashion choice.