Skirt Cafe is an on-line community dedicated to exploring, promoting and advocating skirts and kilts as a fashion choice for men, formerly known as men in skirts. We do this in the context of men's fashion freedom --- an expansion of choices beyond those commonly available for men to include kilts, skirts and other garments. We recognize a diversity of styles our members feel comfortable wearing, and do not exclude any potential choices. Continuing dialog on gender is encouraged in the context of fashion freedom for men. See here for more details.
Mouse wrote: ↑Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:12 am
This day in London is one of the reasons that I have so very little envy left. I always from childhood admired ladies of old with their long dresses, but here I was running around the big city in a long white skirt, petticoat, heels, corset, leotard and still just me. What more envy can I have?
Mouse, you have demonstrated that longer skirts can work well for mens formal wear.
Mouse wrote: ↑Wed Sep 10, 2025 1:52 pmMany thanks for the plug, but to be fair I believe crfriend is way ahead of me with his hooped crinoline and fancy waist coats.
I'll admit to having a petticoat that can be fitted with a hoop, but it's a far cry from a full-blown "cage" crinoline. It's fun from time to time, but not for everyday wear. For everyday looks, I prefer the unstructured look of a plain non-hooped petticoat.
As far as waistcoats go, I've worn those since secondary school for effect, so they're perfectly natural for me. I do not hesitate to recommend them for "upping one's game" with a single piece. True, they cannot help jeans and other sorts of grunge-wear -- but then again, nothing can help those looks, so why bother trying.
Retrocomputing -- It's not just a job, it's an adventure!
Mouse wrote: ↑Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:12 am
We could organise an event or party where the dress code was long! It really depends on numbers. I would love a party where a long skirt with petticoat or an off-the-sholder number was required.
On the other hand, you can make up your own event. I went to London in a long white skirt, complete with a petticoat. The event I was attending was Barleymower's 2024 Autumn meet up. My excuse was working out "can you run round London in a long white skirt with a petticoat?" following a question on the cafe. The answer is yes and it is great fun! I know it is not a full off the shoulder ball gown, but for me, it was close and so much fun and I did it, and it is easily achievable.
This day in London is one of the reasons that I have so very little envy left. I always from childhood admired ladies of old with their long dresses, but here I was running around the big city in a long white skirt, petticoat, heels, corset, leotard and still just me. What more envy can I have?
At the time my eyes nearly popped out of my head onto the table.
Now I think it was amazing, well done mouse.
Barleymower wrote: ↑Thu Sep 11, 2025 8:33 am
At the time my eyes nearly popped out of my head onto the table.
Now I think it was amazing, well done mouse.
I was quite worried that I had taken things too far and none of you would want to associate with the idiot in the long white skirt. Also, the last thing I wanted was to embarrass anyone by association with me.
In my defence I was only researching for the cafe, an answer to a question regarding long white skirts in the city. However, the six year old boy inside of me, was having a ball, running around London so dressed. I will have to revisit the look at some time. I just have to come up with a new excuse, or just forget any excuse and "just do it!"
Grok wrote: ↑Wed Sep 17, 2025 5:28 am
When I was a boy, I could have related to this reaction by these people. But, of course, this was absolutely forbidden.
I still feel like it now Grok. The injustice. It was absolutely forbidden for men. I knew that stepping out in anything other than male drab would be greeted with Catcalling of the worst kind.
The difference is now I see life a little more "equally". Previously i would have not acknowledged how we, men, treated women. I didn't Catcall women myself but I also didnt see much harm in it. I didnt do it because I knew it would not get me a girlfriend. The general treatment of women by men was mostly invisible to me.
Now Ive taken on the skirt I'm acutely aware that i could get called out in the street. Even a stare makes me feel ackward.
Barleymower wrote: ↑Wed Sep 17, 2025 8:35 am
I still feel like it now Grok. The injustice. It was absolutely forbidden for men. I knew that stepping out in anything other than male drab would be greeted with Catcalling of the worst kind.
Yes. The Taboo was very frustrating. And as a boy, one could sense that it was too risky to even talk about it.
I suspect there may have been boys who weren't interested In skirts, but were interested in other modes of expression that were Forbidden.
Boys who may have envied the jewelry worn by girls, or colorful nail polish. Or perhaps handbags, or hats, or shoes.... Being similarly frustrated, because they were denied what intrigued them.
Grok wrote: ↑Wed Sep 17, 2025 6:26 pm
....And as a boy, one could sense that it was too risky to even talk about it.
Boys who may have envied the jewelry worn by girls, or colorful nail polish. Or perhaps handbags, or hats, or shoes.... Being similarly frustrated, because they were denied what intrigued them.
I am that boy with all of the above. This is why the Mouse of now, covers everything that was missing as a boy and young man.
