What are we wearing as we post, part deux

[Ray]

Black polo shirt, quite long and fitted.

16 inch stretchy tartan skirt

Black tights, 40 denier.

Beer in hand (not while typing). Beer neither black nor tartan.

[Peter v]

(clears throat)

(nervously pokes head into room)

Hi, guys!

I've never posted on a "what are we wearing" thread before, because I always assumed it was meant to be by-men/about-men/for-men.

But I've finally got up the courage to at least mention that I've always rather wanted to join in the fun.

I know I'm a girl, so what I'm wearing might not be relevant to the conversation... It doesn't take much courage for me to go out wearing a skirt or a dress, and plenty of times I go out wearing slacks or jeans anyway. But fashion has become rather a huge new playtoy of mine, and putting together a "total look" is one of my daily pleasures. I get a big kick from finding weird new combinations as I shop at local thrift stores and find my personal style evolving. I also get a big kick from finding I can fit into smaller and smaller clothes (as I am still losing a lot of weight) and the progress is thrilling me to death, and I'd love to share that journey with y'all.

The point is, I'd really like to post here too, if it's okay with everyone. But I don't want to be rude and barge in if this doesn't sound like what the jist of your thread is intended for.

I'll wait and see what you say.

Emerald, you are very welcome, tell us what you are wearing, preferably a skirt, when typing answers. And in general, who better than a woman to give practical tips about skirt wearing, how to combine etc, this regarding more the freestyle group rather than the more "manly"group.

Women may see through any mistakes we may make in our clothing choice, or at least give some balance to what we do.

Peter v.

[crfriend]

[W]ho better than a woman to give practical tips about skirt wearing, how to combine etc, this regarding more the freestyle group rather than the more "manly"group.

s/freestyle/adventurous/g

(In layman's terms, "substitute 'adventurous' for 'freestyle' where 'freestyle' occurs"; let's not perpetuate stereotypes.)

Women may see through any mistakes we may make in our clothing choice, or at least give some balance to what we do.

That said, we, as men, are forging new ground here. The "rules" that apply to women may not necessarily apply to blokes. Certain notions, like colour matching, proportion, and line do apply; a lot of other baggage might not.

This should not be construed to mean that women cannot critique our choices -- in fact their criticism should be welcomed as it will help us build our own framework; however, it should be viewed as just precisely that -- criticism -- and not gospel. In a very real sense, we're "on our own" in defining what we're after.

[Peter v]

Thanks crfriend, we are making our own rules, but indeed, the experience of women, having a whole lifetime of hands on experience with how to dress, with regards to skirts, will I am sure be welcome, until we are ourselves proficient, and have thought out how our own fashion should look.

I am sure, the help, advice from women, with regards to the "trics of the fashion trade", the basics, which are neither man or woman bound, and we may not master yet, are very welcome. We can learn a lot from that.

Peter v

[Departed Member]

Thanks crfriend, we are making our own rules, but indeed, the experience of women, having a whole lifetime of hands on experience with how to dress, with regards to skirts, will I am sure be welcome, until we are ourselves proficient, and have thought out how our own fashion should look. Peter v

I'm not sure that such 'rules' apply these days. If you'd said that, say, thirty years ago, I'd have wholeheartedly agreed. My perception, 21st Century-wise, is that (esp. the younger) women have very little 'dress-sense' compared to the previous generation, merely copying 'looks', whether appropriate or not, from whichever popstar/'super' model happens to be in the paper/on the TV, at the time. I've never subscribed to the rhetoric that "women can do things better than men" when it comes to colour co-ordination, 'fashion (I hate that word!) sense' or whatever. Whilst we may look back on the '70s and laugh at some the clothes worn then, I suspect in thirty years time (long after I'm gone!), folk will be 'rolling in the aisles' howling at present day 'fashion gaffes'!

[knappen]

ankle length tan gypsy skirt wearing sandals to keep tendons in feet from getting torn any further. can't run around barefoot any more or I would.. Navy T-shirt . Emerald I would welcome your input here hope to see more. Congrats on the weight loss It is an ongoing battle for me also. Knappen

[crfriend]

I'm not sure that such 'rules' apply these days. If you'd said that, say, thirty years ago, I'd have wholeheartedly agreed. My perception, 21st Century-wise, is that (esp. the younger) women have very little 'dress-sense' compared to the previous generation [...]

Could this be our own rigid thought patterns at work, at least in part? I'll candidly admit that I find what passes for "fashion" to the younger set silly, if not outright ridiculous. However, that said, our parents' likely thought precisely the same thing about us. If we don't particularly like a style we needn't adopt it; however, let's not needlessly slag off on folks who do.

Whilst we may look back on the '70s and laugh at some the clothes worn then, I suspect in thirty years time (long after I'm gone!), folk will be 'rolling in the aisles' howling at present day 'fashion gaffes'!

One needs to recall that there was a lot of experimentation going on in the 1970s -- and with experimentation comes risk. Yes, some of what came out of that time was truly awful, but some of it was also highly imaginative and creative, and quite a lot of it actually looked pretty good. We only recall the really horrid bits, and now that we're trying, once again, to crawl out of the doldrums we should recall the risks we're taking now and apply that idea in context. I'm not saying we should eschew all risk (for then we wouldn't even be doing what we are), but rather that we should experiment wisely and with an aim to make our own "look" believable in social settings.

[sapphire]

Some suggestions:

Experiement with different garment shapes. Some shapes will look good on you and some won't.

For example, I don't look good in pencil skirts, my hips are way to wide for that garment shape. I look better in a-line styles. Most people look good in a-line styles.

Experiement with color. Again some colors will flatter and some won't.

For example, I look good in royal blue, but look 3 weeks dead in khaki, 4 weeks dead in any camo pattern.

Try watching some of the "style" shows like "What not to Wear", "Project Runway" , "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style", "Stacey London:Fashionably Late" or "Gretta's Got It"

I don't guarantee that you will agree with everything they present. I usually fall over laughing because much of it is "what not to wear" At least you'll see a lot of options without spending any money and get an idea of what's out there and what might work for you.

Remember that you are the best stylist for your own body and personality.

[Departed Member]

One needs to recall that there was a lot of experimentation going on in the 1970s -- and with experimentation comes risk. Yes, some of what came out of that time was truly awful, but some of it was also highly imaginative and creative, and quite a lot of it actually looked pretty good.

Yes! I wasn't trying to infer that everything was OTT! I did use the word "some", intentionally! That probably was the age of "Fashion Freedom", to be sure. It wasn't that unusual to see lads wearing skirts around that time (often as not, 'his & hers' boyfriend/girlfriend matching styles). Punks were to be seen wearing (Red) Stewart tartan matching pleated (kilted, if you prefer!) miniskirts, Goths in the usual black, invariably (but not always!) ankle-length and others, too. Mainly 'city-wear', they invoked little reaction (certainly no animosity!), other than a sigh, or head-shake, from a few, more venerable inhabitants. The problem was, it was "Fashion", and invariably, "Fashion" dies, in that case, more the pity.

[crfriend]

It wasn't that unusual to see lads wearing skirts around that time (often as not, 'his & hers' boyfriend/girlfriend matching styles).

I would love to see that documented so it could be referenced in other places and specific examples called out. A reproduction of advertising copy would be even better!

Punks were to be seen wearing (Red) Stewart tartan matching pleated (kilted, if you prefer!) miniskirts, Goths in the usual black, invariably (but not always!) ankle-length and others, too.

Goths and punks are still around, but make up a tiny portion of the population -- certainly a percentage that is way below the "critical mass" required to get skirted garments accepted on blokes. Too, and unnecessarily, they tend to get looked down at in the US, so would not make particularly good role models for "Joe Sixpack" (or above when it comes to social strata) who, face it, is who we're likely talking about in the "acceptance" arena.

[Since1982]

Emerald, as to what is expected when posting on the "WAWWWWPPD" thread, (WAWWWWPPD=What Are We Wearing When We Post, Part Deux)

We are simply asked to add to the list what we are actually wearing, IF we are wearing anything at all. NUDE is not considered "WEARING" anything at all. So it doesn't qualify for this thread. But, nude is the only thing that doesn't qualify, as far as I can see. Anything from a bed sheet to a bed quilt to a night shirt to a pair of pajamas or a nightshirt or a skirt and shirt combo or a dress with underthings or no underthings or whatever we please to wear WHEN TYPING messages to our like minded friends.

It's just another way of conversing with friends with original outlooks on the MUGsLIFE. Heard of THUGsLIFE? Now you've heard of MUGsLIFE!!

MUGsLIFE = MaleUnbifurcatedGarmentsLIFE...

[AMM]

Red tights, red bodysuit, navy blue pleated over-the-knee (23") skirt. If I start to feel chilly, I might add a wool vest or red turtleneck and red knee socks.

I'm cleaning my apartment (once a year, whether it needs it or not ), and I want to make a dull job a little more colorful.

[Pythos]

Shiny black stirrup leggings, grey long sleeved shirt, blue thick sweater.

I know there is no skirt in that ensamble, but it does ask what I am wearing when looking at the site.

Gonna put on some black hiking boots in a minute or so.

[sapphire]

AMM,
You certainly do sound colorful! It sounds like a happy combo.

Pythos,
Your outfit sounds interesting.

Me? Black slacks, black oxfords, navy t-shirt with pictures of big cats on the front, and the sweet one eyed house lion snoozing on my chest

[crfriend]

Dark purple dress shirt, red vest, black velvet skirt, off-white opaque tights, and standard mens' dress shoes.

I'm trying to figure out two things at the moment:

(1) which of my computers has blown a fan that's making it sound like an idling truck and
(2) what to do for lunch.

I may just opt for (2) so I can get away from (1) for a few minutes.....