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.
Leaving the effemination issue to one side for a moment I'd expect most men would consider skirts totally impractical as well as a lot of women.
But, women do lose femininity by wearing trousers, and men lose masculinity by wearing a skirt, if we're talking about the current perceptions of the masculine and feminine. The two garments and sexes evolved together into their gender roles over a long period of time (practicality being a major factor). If you're going to defy social evolution then it will always be socially frowned upon.
Looking ahead, it would seem that even women wearing skirts may become socially unacceptable. Now they wear trousers (and they often prefer them by all accounts) and gender roles are less well defined, the skirt will represent an age of femininity that would no longer fit a future society of equality.
As to whether men will be able to acceptably wear them in the future, it's hard to say but practicality and human nature will always be an influence until we evolve into something that's not quite human.
and
As with all things, the unusual is only so because it is uncommon. If your reader starts a trend and it catches on then who knows where it could go. Bra's for man boobs could finally be accepted, maybe even sock suspenders could come back. I cant see those early pioneers of the gender blend being left un-mocked though.
The thread then degenerated into the usual trivia.
Along with these posts, they printed a picture of a couple of guys in kilts with the caption "Kilts are acceptable dress for men north of the border" i.e. Scotland. There's still an awful lot of ignorance out there.
I'm setting up an account and will make a suitable post under the name of NotaScot.
Whilst understanding that outlook I suspect that quietly educating them is more positive. It may not produce any new male skirt wearers, but at least it will demonstrate that as a group we can be rational, polite and approachable.
If nothing else, anyone who reads one of Charlie's typical postings will know that MIS can be interesting people and worth engaging in conversation. Who knows, maybe (just maybe) someone will read it, think for himself and then try a skirt, that would be a positive outcome
Have fun,
Ian.
PS; one very entertaining way to have fun is to mess gently with peoples minds and watch the confusion cross their faces when they see something that they don't quite understand
Do not argue with idiots; they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Cogito ergo sum - Descartes
Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum - Ambrose Bierce
OK guys, here's what I posted on the local forum. http://forums.thisis.co.uk/messageview. ... &stqc=true
For anyone to make a fair assessment, you have to present them with the facts which is why I included the link to Youtube which appeared in another Cafe thread.
The problem with asking anyone about men wearing skirts is that, having in all likelihood never seen a man wearing a skirt, they have to rely on images provided by the media. These images will mainly be of:
Men in kilts (and contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be a Scot to wear a kilt),
Men wearing frocks and resembling the ugliest of women,
Drag queens,
Men dressing to pass themselves off as women.
Imagination has to do the rest and the mental picture of a man wearing women's clothes is the result. Add that to the ingrained notion that wearing clothes of the opposite gender affects your sexuality (it doesn't) and you have a negative image.
I'd hazard an educated guess (I am a man) that one reason most men won't wear a skirt is simply an unmanly fear of being different, preferring instead to cling to the comfort blanket of their trousers.
Going back to Steve Leighton's original article, all he was asking is why men don't have the same choice in clothing as the women. Many women abandon their jeans on a hot summer day, preferring the comfort of a floaty skirt - why shouldn't men have the same choice, seeing as we have choice in just about every other aspect of our lives?
This is from this week's Blackmore Vale Magazine - in the North Dorset area, covering an article on Shaftesbury, Hindon and East Noyle Scottish Country Dancers.
Marks out of 10 for the kilt ...........?
Miket
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Miket wrote:Marks out of 10 for the kilt ...........?
Warning: personal taste here. I give eight. The waistcoat should have been long enough to cover the top of the top of the lad's kilt. The froth at the neckline is fine, and would have actually been enhanced if the waistcoat (US "vest") buttoned up a bit more. Other than that, it's a decent looking rig.
Retrocomputing -- It's not just a job, it's an adventure!
I don't like the gap between kilt and waist coat. I don't like the socks, the fluff at the neck line is a tad bid much for my taste..
All in all to me, a 6.
Lose the fluff, get a longer waist coat, or un button the current one, wear the kilt a tad higher, thinner socks of a color other than stark white, or go with tights. I think it would look much better.
The pose he is doing is a tad uncomfortable to me as well, perhaps just the way the photo was taken.
I love the shirt as well. It is similar to one that I made. Can't wear
it now, popped a button. Will have to make a new larger one.
I agree--the kilt is worn too lowWay too low!
It hangs below the knee. For me, it needs to be mid-knee or
slightly higher. This would eliminate the 'gap' between the vest and
the top of the kilt.
OK--This is my $.02 worth
Uncle Al
Duncanville, TX
Kilted Organist/Musician
Grand Musician of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Texas 2008-2025
When asked 'Why the Kilt?'
I respond-The why is F.T.H.O.I. (For The H--- Of It)
Correct me if I am wrong, but, the waistline on a male is where the natural curve between the torso, and the lower body is , isn't it? It is the area that develops love handles if one does not stay fit, to the best of my knowledge.
The way this guy is wearing the kilt is similar to the way most women are wearing their "hipster" jeans, that really do not sit on or around the hips but are instead several inches below that area. Which leads to exposed butt crack, which to me is as un attractive as plummer's butt.
Pythos wrote:Correct me if I am wrong, but, the waistline on a male is where the natural curve between the torso, and the lower body is , isn't it?
You've pretty much got it. The waist is where the narrowest part of the torso is supposed to be, and is generally just about at the level of the elbows if one relaxes his arms. That said, it's also the general area where guys start to pack on the pounds as they age. This is going to sound sexist as all get-out, but here's one place where guys have it made: we get "portly"; women get fat. And that's not particularly fair.
From the looks of it, the lad in the picture is wearing a traditional kilt which is supposed to be worn above[/i] the natural waist -- right up under the ribs if I'm not mistaken -- but he's got the top of it slightly below the waist, and the belt looks to be just about at hip level. That's why the rig looks wrong.
And I have got to find me a shirt like that!
Retrocomputing -- It's not just a job, it's an adventure!
Way too low!
