skirtcafe.org

Uncle Al wrote:OK - 'V' neck T-shirts vs 'crew' neck T-shirts.
We've had that discussion. My preference is
for the 'V' neck T-shirt because if I wear a
casual/dress shirt with the top 1 or 2 buttons
undone, the white T-shirt doesn't show.

Now ponder this - what about the 'A' shirt
It is more of a traditional undershirt, not binding
at the arms.

Example -

A-Shirt 2016-02-10.jpg

This HAS a scoop neckline yet it is/was common place to
see men wearing just this undershirt. Therefore, I believe
that a scoop neck 'shirt' works just as well as a scoop neck
dress. Now these 'A' shirts are called 'Tank-Tops' and worn
by both men & women.

Does this concept change anyone's idea or feelings about
the neckline of a man's dress

Just my $.02 worth

Uncle Al

Sorry if I was misunderstood, Al. My remarks were about the plunging scoop neck of a garment tailored for women vs. a V neck or tank typically tailored for a man. I hope I am not the only one who can recognize the difference. I wanted to imply that some women's tailored garments approach that same level of frontal rise/coverage, among those are sometimes racerback tanks, henleys, and shirt-dresses. It's just an OPINION, not meant to inflame anyone.

KJ, Moon, those are fair criticisms. I suppose I am one who is conditioned to seeing more typical male-cut tops and I have that personal preference or bias. I can only tell you the styles that I find attractive. No one is under obligation to agree. I just considered what appealed to my own eyeballs. I meant no offense.

I see guys in the gym in low cut over-sized tanks all the time and wonder why even bother wearing a top at all, if it hangs like a loose rag and conceals nothing? But they are generally pretty buff dudes with enviable pects and abs, so I understand that they wear those tops to "set off" the assets of their physique, just as women do when they wear plunging necklines. Personally, I don't possess an upper body physique that I'd care to accentuate.

So, yes, fashion choices are commonly made to attract others; we happen to be in a group that dresses to please ourselves, but we might benefit from the thoughts of kindred spirits, too. As I stated in the second sentence of my post " wear it if it makes you happy." In the third sentence, I also indicated that my thoughts were just my own opinion. I repeated that later.

I am not evangelistic about my fashion prejudices, and I don't expect anyone, here or in the greater world, to like all or any of my choices either, and won't try to persuade them to do so. Anyone who doesn't like the look of a skirted man is entitled to that opinion. I won't try to change their minds if they don't try to stop me from wearing what I like.

Among us of the SC, if we are strong enough to dress as we do and go into the public arena, can we not also accept gracefully a difference of opinion about what we choose to wear? Recognizing that the SC is a support group of a sort - and the net has a support group for anything and everything now - I would ask if it is not enough to support a colleague's right and freedom to wear what he wishes without also having to applaud every garment choice he makes? If the only critiques we are allowed must be 100% affirmative for every garment, then I think we diminish our own rights to taste preferences, and this will soon make the SC a really boring place. We could agree that if we can't be fully supportive of a garment, that we remain silent. But are we not men? Do we really desire a diet of unchallenging pablum? I hope, since we are adults and kindred spirits of a sort, that we can civilly, objectively express opinions without anyone's feelings being mortally wounded.

denimini, I actually like that look on KIng Charles or Sir Walter, or whomever that is. Tights and a mini are one of my favorite looks. Not sure I could stand that collar, but a Nehru or mock turtleneck would be good with it, LOL. I would note that it does not have a plunging scoop neck directing attention to a non-existent busom.

Dillon, and all the others who "chose neither",

Please, once again understand that I am not offended. I value your opinions on this site, even if they are contrary to my own. By all means, speak up! I only request that we don't get "Simon Cowell" like in our responses, because that's just unnecessary. I don't visit forums that greatly offend me, so my continued pretense here implies that I do indeed enjoy posting, and reading the post of others.

My only fear at this point is that people will start to feel like they have to walk on egg shells when responding to a comment I made. I don't want that. I enjoy debate, I enjoy when someone calls me back and forces me to reexamine a comment (or look) I made have made, such as it has been with this thread. We took a downright bad look (the purple shirt), and transformed it into something at least mildly suitable. Which was the purpose of the thread.

Yes the thread was intended for those who do the "dress thing", as I have every intention of wearing the dress, must trying to make it work. But I always welcome everyone's input. I mean it's not like I've never thrown my two cents in a thread I probably had no business in to begin with.

In the time I've been here, I've probably only been slightly offended maybe two or three times. And that slightly elevated blood pressure went back down the moment I switched off for a day or two and cooled it. In the case of Martin's response, looking back, I don't think he really meant anything mean by it. Often times I say things that people "take the wrong way", so in that regard I can relate.

Honestly Dillon, everything is fine.

I also fully realize that when I do finally wear this thing out somewhere.... it's going to create some stares.... and yes, probably a few giggles and pointed fingers. I mean, the fluffy white skirt I have worn does just that, and it's just the bottom half (a skirt). That's why I solicited the help of the member's here to at least make it as "doable" as possible.

i like the non shirt look. it just seems more natural without a shirt underneath

moonshadow: At the end of the day, you have to feel confident and comfortable about what you wear, especially in public, so it was a good idea on your part to solicit opinions. Nothing better than getting other viewpoints. Regarding that dress, if memory serves, I do believe I said it looks better without the t-shirt, and I stand by that opinion, furthermore, I'd gladly wear a dress like that in a heartbeat as it's perfect for spring and summer, I don't care if it's white, frilly or feminine, hell, I prefer it that way, but that's just my thinking. Again, only you can decide on how you wear that dress, and what you wear with it. Good luck to you.

JeffB1959 wrote:moonshadow: At the end of the day, you have to feel confident and comfortable about what you wear, especially in public, so it was a good idea on your part to solicit opinions. Nothing better than getting other viewpoints. Regarding that dress, if memory serves, I do believe I said it looks better without the t-shirt, and I stand by that opinion, furthermore, I'd gladly wear a dress like that in a heartbeat as it's perfect for spring and summer, I don't care if it's white, frilly or feminine, hell, I prefer it that way, but that's just my thinking. Again, only you can decide on how you wear that dress, and what you wear with it. Good luck to you.

Bamaskirting wrote:i like the non shirt look. it just seems more natural without a shirt underneath

Thanks guys, I don't hate it without, I may wear it with the shirt for the first couple of rounds to build my confidence up in it. Funny, it's 16 degrees (F) outside with a pretty good breeze. I should take it for a stroll across the RV park to the creek with no jacket! It would blend in with the snow. THAT will make you feel alive!

What the heck, I sat here and thought about it, then got dressed and did it.

Wore the 'little red dress' over red fleece-lined leggings, And a Louisville Cardinals red jacket. <sigh> Black walking shoes don't have red ones of any kind.

Only noticed one guy do a double-take, but that was about it. (Inside, so the jacket was unzipped, and he was in front so he had a good view. Might even try it under 'faux skirt' mode - with a sweater or a long polo shirt over the top.

I would have thought a dress might be a bit further 'up the continuum' than a 'mere' skirt. Couldn't tell with just one afternoon. Will wear it to one or two malls Monday, weather permitting, or next weekend and gather more data.

Heck, I was wearing a floral-print above-knee ruffled dress that's strapless with a jacket that was unzipped when I dropped some packages off at one of the post offices in the area. As I was walking back into the lobby, there was a woman with her teenage daughter. Her daughter walked directly toward me, almost becoming head-on. Too busy talking to her mother to even notice that there was a guy wearing something that normally would not be worn by said person in plain sight. Even though she was looking directly at me. It's a non-event.

This outfit: http://lookbook.nu/look/8062510-Old-Nav ... -Minidress

(for those who aren't Lookbook members: https://www.flickr.com/photos/245gt-turbo/24896432302/)

I actually left home wearing it without wearing a t-shirt over the bodice, using the jacket when necessary to cover up (a couple places I went to, I figured it'd be a good idea to not have my upper chest visible, partly because friends of the family frequent them, and partly because, one of them, a hardware store, I may wind up working for, until I get my certifications and a job working as a traffic signal technician for one of the jurisdictions in the Seattle area). Most of the driving done today was with the jacket actually removed, since it's more comfortable that way, even when it's winter, since when the heater is blowing on the bare shoulders and upper chest, you actually get warmer quicker without getting too warm. To get out of the house and back in without attracting negative attention from family members, I did throw on my camo Utilikilt, then left the jacket zipped up.

-J

Way to go Darrel and John!

As for me, I'm just waiting on the weather to warm up. My dresses are pretty much warm weather dresses. Just a few more months!

moonshadow wrote:Way to go Darrel and John!

As for me, I'm just waiting on the weather to warm up. My dresses are pretty much warm weather dresses. Just a few more months!

Thanks, man.

The one I was wearing would be what you'd consider something for summer wear... I did layer another one underneath it, so there was a little more insulation. Granted, the temperature yesterday (now that it's Sunday) was in the upper 40s to lower 50s, so it wasn't frigid weather.

-J

moonshadow wrote:Way to go Darrel and John!

As for me, I'm just waiting on the weather to warm up. My dresses are pretty much warm weather dresses. Just a few more months!

It's been in the 20s lately, colder counting wind chill. And my 'little red dress' is summer weight which is how I got it on clearance. Basic layering 101.

I already wear support hose, so I layer:
1. support hose, tights, add leggings if I need more.
2. support hose, fleece-lined tights, add leggings if I need more.
3. support hose, fleece-lined tights, add fleece-lined leggings if I need more.

With a kilt, I always wear a half-slip as an 'under-kilt and sometimes even add a pencil or straight skirt
With my summer-weight maxi and knee-length pleated skirt I may also use the pencil or straight skirt as an under-skirt.
With my mid-calf Tulle skirt, any of the above except the maxi.

I usually get by with a long- or short-sleeve polo shirt or dress (oxford) shirt, no tie. Might wear a long- or short-sleeve turtle-neck under it. May do a t-shirt under both if needed. I will also sometimes use a Spanx shaper/compression shirt - think a thin, elastic tube that will compress about 1/4 to 1/2" off my mid-section. I've also got one in a knee-length half-slip format which I wore for a while to remind me how to sit properly.

K-J,

I'ld like to see the pics but I don't have a 'flicker' account and your
profile is tagged "Private". Any chance of posting a pic directly to
the forum

Uncle Al

Uncle Al wrote:K-J,

I'ld like to see the pics but I don't have a 'flicker' account and your
profile is tagged "Private". Any chance of posting a pic directly to
the forum

Uncle Al

Looks like my lookbook account is set to private. Wanted to avoid having my sister's ex getting his panties in a bunch. Guy's a bit of a nutter.

Stuff on my flickr account is set up so anyone can view it. So, just click the flickr link in the .sig and it should be visible there.

-J

Kilted_John wrote:Wanted to avoid having my sister's ex getting his panties in a bunch. Guy's a bit of a nutter.

I got a lump in my throat last night when dad called out of the blue, first words out of his mouth were (in a somewhat annoyed and arrogant tone) "I wanna ask you a question...."

I thought, "oh boy, he found the flickr site... here we go". (Note: I rather count on my father to be quite computer illiterate.)

Turns out it was a question about a fuel filter on his car. His annoyance was due to the fact that his car is giving him trouble.

And for those who don't know... my father's side of the family is the very definition of everything that is wrong with the U.S., on any topic.

LOL, Moon. Like four of my five siblings.