It's been awhile since I was last here as life, work and other concerns won over my attention. But I decided to get back in harness and go on an outing today. Having not been out in a long time, whatever confidence I had was gone. The outfit I wore wasn't extravagant since I was out and about at midday and didn't want to attract too much attention to myself:
--Blue patterned polo shirt
--Above the knee denim skirt
--Sheer tan pantyhose (no way in hell I was going out with bare legs!)
--Two inch heeled women's loafers, very comfortable shoes
I thought about bringing my black handbag along for the ride to carry my wallet, cell phone, car keys and house keys but opted for a fanny pack which I wore over my shoulder. Here's my itinerary:
1st Stop: Swung by an ATM for some cash. I parked about twenty feet away from the machine, it took a good five minutes to screw up my nerve to exit the car, but I did, walked up to the machine and did my business. No one saw me, so it was cool, giving me some confidence.
2nd Stop: With the aforementioned confidence under my belt, I drove to a Borders bookstore in a strip mall in the western burbs. This time, it took longer to get up the nerve to leave the car, ten minutes this time, after taking several deep breaths, I left the car, casually walked the fifty or so feet to the main door and went inside the store. Acting casual, like I belonged there was key as I strolled through most of the store, I had my eye on buying some manga titles (Japanese comics) that I collect, but the latest volumes weren't in, so I settled for the new issue of Sports Illustrated. All told, I spent a good twenty-five minutes in the store, taking my time as I wandered the aisles, the store was fairly well populated, including teens and pre-teens, but no one gave me so much as a glance, never mind a double take at seeing a man in a skirt. After I left the store, I was feeling pretty damn good, thinking this was easy.
3rd Stop: Arby's for lunch. A skirted man has gotta eat. After parking in the lot, I just got out and walked in, no time spent mustering my courage because it was already there. At the counter, I ordered my food, paid for it then ate, not many people in the place, but again, no one gave me the time of day, despite how I was dressed. Again, I marveled at how easy it was. Afterward, I returned home to take the picture I enclosed with this post.
All told, I thought this first outing in a skirt was pretty successful. I was able to go into mainstream places and not garner any negative attention, hell, I didn't garner any attention at all, and a tiny part of me was almost disappointed. In any event, I can't wait for another chance to come around so I can indulge in a skirt outing.
For the camping. Apparently my kids were not fulfilled by sleeping on the ground through a couple of rainy nights (and some pleasently cool and dry nights) in the NC mountains, but now they wanted to add sand, saltwater, heat, rattlesnakes, jellyfish, and a multitude of annoying insects into the experience. 
But a fine time was had by all, nevertheless. 
Much to the chagrin of my wife, the only bifurcated garment I packed was my swimsuit. I got the usual number of odd looks from people, especially at the seafood restaurant Saturday night, but no comments of any kind. I could see couples at the bar nudging each other and whispering, then sneaking a quick look at me. But I thought my Macabi skirt looked just fine, especially with Bastaad clogs and ankle chain. I also wore a knee length Eddie Bauer skirt down to the beach, to the kite and board shop, to the ice-house, and to a "gourmet" supermarket in Wilmington. Also wore my camo skirt around the park and marina 
, and an Adidas field hockey kilt around camp (and to the bath house for showers, etc.) My family has been much more tolerant of my skirts lately (my daughter will allow me to be seen with her now). Perhaps they know there are ways I could embarrass them much worse - like a Speedo on the beach perhaps? 
