skirtcafe.org

We need to stop worrying about appearing masculine and just be true to ourselves. In this thread, the word “masculine” has appeared multiple times and in my opinion, it is the reason that men cannot escape the ManBox. They are so worried about appearing masculine that there is no hope for them to ever leave the ManBox.

Men need to stop worrying about appearing masculine in order to open their minds to trying feminine fashion. It is the only way forward.

yardstick wrote: ↑Thu Oct 30, 2025 9:59 pm

Mouse wrote: ↑Thu Oct 30, 2025 7:35 pm

Barleymower wrote: ↑Thu Oct 30, 2025 11:39 am Maybe we should have brighton meetup?

I think it would be fun to meet up in different places. I wonder if Norwich would be good since we have a number of members from Norfolk who often come to London. There again we could meet further west near to you and obviously Birmingham, where Kieren comes from to most Meet ups.

Places where others are seen wearing skirts are always a good idea for meet ups as the larger the numbers the more normalised it seems to the onlooking public. Different locations may also motivate other members to take part and gain valuable confidence.

Looks like we have upcoming meetups in Norwich, Birmingham and Brighton!

Barleymower wrote: ↑Fri Oct 31, 2025 7:22 am Looks like we have upcoming meetups in Norwich, Birmingham and Brighton!

You missed out the meet up down your way in the west!!

jamie001 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 31, 2025 4:32 am We need to stop worrying about appearing masculine and just be true to ourselves. In this thread, the word “masculine” has appeared multiple times and in my opinion, it is the reason that men cannot escape the ManBox. They are so worried about appearing masculine that there is no hope for them to ever leave the ManBox.

Men need to stop worrying about appearing masculine in order to open their minds to trying feminine fashion. It is the only way forward.

I completely agree. Masculine and feminine are human constructs, there is no such thing. Clothes do not have a gender and the simple truth is that you should wear what you love. Nothing is off limits if you don’t want it to be. It’s all about how you feel and if you feel good in a skirt or a dress you’ve already won. Ditch the boxes about what you are “supposed” to wear. It’s made up nonsense and we will see the gender binary in fashion die.

yardstick wrote: ↑Thu Oct 30, 2025 9:57 pm
made to look masculine

Genuinely interested - what makes a piece of cloth look masculine (or feminine for that matter)?

Susie wrote: ↑Sun Nov 02, 2025 11:28 am

yardstick wrote: ↑Thu Oct 30, 2025 9:57 pm
made to look masculine

Genuinely interested - what makes a piece of cloth look masculine (or feminine for that matter)?

Plain.

Barleymower wrote: ↑Sun Nov 02, 2025 12:38 pmPlain.

And, preferably stiff/scratchy. In other words, the typical uniform -- denim.

I feel sorry for the poor souls so encased; however, they know no better -- and like parachutes, minds only work properly when open.

crfriend wrote: ↑Sun Nov 02, 2025 1:03 pm

Barleymower wrote: ↑Sun Nov 02, 2025 12:38 pmPlain.

And, preferably stiff/scratchy. In other words, the typical uniform -- denim.

I feel sorry for the poor souls so encased; however, they know no better -- and like parachutes, minds only work properly when open.

What amazes me, is that many women, who do know better what is possible, now seem to want to wear the same stiff/scratchy clothes as men have!

Mouse wrote: ↑Sun Nov 02, 2025 3:56 pmhat amazes me, is that many women, who do know better what is possible, now seem to want to wear the same stiff/scratchy clothes as men have!

It does have some interesting resonances with mass hysteria, doesn't it? Closed minds in stressful times -- precisely what we don't need at the moment.

Whatever became of clear rational thinking?

I saw these times coming -- long ago -- and was hoping I'd not live to witness them. Sometimes being proved right is profoundly difficult to accept. I'm glad that some of my dear friends passed before this mess happened.

Mouse wrote: ↑Sun Nov 02, 2025 3:56 pm What amazes me, is that many women, who do know better what is possible, now seem to want to wear the same stiff/scratchy clothes as men have!

Let them have at it! We don't want them anyway.

Seb wrote: ↑Sun Nov 02, 2025 9:07 pmLet them have at it! We don't want them anyway.

Well, at least the ones of us who have cast off the shackles of machismo don't. The rest are trapped.

crfriend wrote: ↑Sun Nov 02, 2025 11:01 pm

Seb wrote: ↑Sun Nov 02, 2025 9:07 pmLet them have at it! We don't want them anyway.

Well, at least the ones of us who have cast off the shackles of machismo don't. The rest are trapped.

Maybe they will feel forced to look outside their box when women take the last of what they deem as theirs.

Seb wrote: ↑Mon Nov 03, 2025 11:15 amMaybe they will feel forced to look outside their box when women take the last of what they deem as theirs.

More likely that they'll just ketch and whinge like the lemmings they are. Among the many things that men have lost is the ability to "think outside the box", act, and do great things. Men now hide and whimper. I am drawn to the comment from H.L.Mencken: "Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." (This should really be taken figuratively.) Men have lost the spark, the will, and even the desire to do great things. Gone is the calculated risk and the solid triumph -- it's all about risk avoidance now, and we've paid a handsome price for that. We've sold our souls. And for what?

yardstick wrote: ↑Thu Oct 30, 2025 9:57 pm
Totally agree, the initial hurdle is to make the plain denim skirt as acceptable menswear as it can be made to look masculine but at the same time not that obvious to the casual observer and much less obvious than a kilt. This is the key point because us guys are not used to being noticed for our clothes on the street so too many stares from onlookers can be off putting for a lot of potential wearers.
I know a lot of guys on here like to experiment with colours and why not but that isn't what will sway joe public towards skirts because for them its too far outside their comfort zone.

Yeah, we have circled back to what has been discussed a number of times. What skirt could gain traction? Generally, it has been posted, something sturdy, knee length, and dull in color. I suspect that would be required for something to gain traction during the near future. Blue denim being one version of this.

Personally, I don't find this very interesting.

It has occurred to me that members might indirectly encourage others to try a skirt. Not necessarily copying us directly, but being encouraged by our rigs to try some sort of skirt. Perhaps being less bold than us in their choices, but trying a skirt nevertheless.

crfriend wrote: ↑Sun Nov 02, 2025 11:01 pm

Seb wrote: ↑Sun Nov 02, 2025 9:07 pmLet them have at it! We don't want them anyway.

Well, at least the ones of us who have cast off the shackles of machismo don't. The rest are trapped.

CR is correct. There are some members here on the Cafe (I will not mention any names buy you know who you are) that are hopelessly trapped in the ManBox and will never escape. They are waiting for the emergence of "masculine" skirts which will only add more padlocks to the ManBox. We cannot really blame these folks for their shortsightedness because they have been indoctrinated and hopelessly brainwashed with many years of ManBox theory and being constantly told how a man should look and act. For them, deprogramming and escape from the ManBox may not be possible. They are simply attempting to expand the ManBox to include "manly skirts" with heavy fabric in the usual drab colors.