What if men in skirts was the norm?

[Brad]

We all long for the day when men wearing skirts is completely within the norms of society. Or do we? I would lose interest in wearing skirts if other men were doing it. I like the unique, counter-culture, gender-bending quality of wearing a skirt. I want to be unique in expressing myself in this way.

[Sarongman]

Well, I for one would love to see the day that men had, and took, the right to wear whatever the heck as long as it was decent. As this site is all about fashion freedom for men, isn't this what we really are all about? There are days that I feel I'd like to wear trousers or shorts, and some that I want to go skirted. This should be the norm right across the board for all men, even the most conservative of us.
For my part, I am making a statement but it is a reluctant statement, as I strongly believe that we should be free to express ourselves and BE true to ourselves both in outward expression and internally. This may seem utopian but it should be achievable.

[JRMILLER]

If skirts were the "norm", then clearly we would already be wearing the most comfortable garment on the face of the Earth. As such, our discussions would probably be centered around length and the appropriate amount of "decoration" for a guy vs. a gal.

Now, if pants had not been invented yet and just arrived on the scene, then both genders would use them for the down and dirty jobs we sometimes use them for.

Garments in and of themselves have no intrinsic, innate gender. It's really just about how our culture has used and defined them, period.

I frequently watch Biblical Battles on the History Channel, ALL of those guys wore knee length skirts and they look just fine. Hardly like women.

[Sarongman]

Of course, once, it WAS the norm! Just to prove the point, there is an archaeological programme on the ABC television called "Time Team" fronted by Tony Robinson where, last night, they were excavating a ruin of an aerly Mediaeval castle and, with artist's license,painted the last of the line, who was a licensed Alchemist. (today we'd call him a geologist)He was depicted wearing, under his cloak, a yellow ankle length skirt with red banding around the ankle hem. I rather coveted it

[AMM]

What if men in skirts was the norm?

Then we'd be sitting around moaning and groaning about what boring, unimaginative skirts men are "required" to wear.

There's a lot of talk about "freedom", but as far as I can tell, the majority of skirt-wearers here wear essentially the same skirt: a knee-length, denim straight skirt. And a significant minority who are uncomfortable with men who wear anything different. Is there any reason to imagine that if all the men in my -- or your -- country were to take up skirt-wearing, they would be any different?

What does "freedom" really mean if no one has the nerve, or even the urge to exercise it? Freedome of speech, for instance, is meaningless if you don't have people saying things that people don't like. And fashion freedom is meaningless unless you have people who want to wear stuff that most people would not want to wear. One of the biggest and saddest disappearances at the Cafe (Tom's & Skirt-) has been the disappearance of a number of wild and crazy guys who wanted to push the envelope.

[Mipi]

I like to wear skirt/kilts for comfort they offer and not to prove something or similar. I think in that case I would live more peacefully, knowing that the World became more open minded. But would not like to see that skirts would be forced as only possibility. That would be no difference as it is no.

There is something that bothers me (just) a bit. Somewhere in the Bible is written, that men shouldn't wear women garment and vice verse. But, looking all those pictures in churches, Bible,.... you name it, ALL men are wearing a sort of robe (caftan) like garment. It seems the men are the greatest sinners in the West world It looks like I have to talk with my preacher about this issue soon.

[sapphire]

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose

[JRMILLER]

OK Janis....

[Since1982]

meeee and Bobby McGhee, YEAH.... Actually, Sapphire looks a bit like Janis did, without the wild hairdo... (This space intentionally left blank)

[tooslowprius]

Well, this is just my 2 cents on this subject (That's about what im worth ) Anyway I think what we are truly looking for in the word Norm is the abillity to be able to wear a skirt to work if we want, and not be looked down appon, to basicly wear a skirt whenever we want wear we want. If you stop and think about it do we already have that right? Why yes i think we do! Here is why I say this where is it written in any law book that say men have to dress a certain way and women have to dress a certain way? I don't think there is. I mean yes there are certain articles of clothing that are made for women only and certain one's made for men only. I.E Bra vs Jock strap. So now lets put into the context of work related. How many men in here that work in an office enviroment, or an enviroment wear you could work safely in a skirt, that wear skirts out. Have you even went to there boss's and said hay look I would like to wear a skirt to work once and ahwile and I'll keep it within the already estblished dress code (for women becuase they already wear skirts to work). By this I mean if it say's women that are wearing a skirt it must be a certian length or certian type, or if you are wearing a skirt you can not have any exposed skin, witch mean's the wearing of hose, would you do it? Would you want to fallow the established dress code if your boss said "Sure you could wear a skirt if you want." I hear so many people on hear that say they would love to wear skirt to work but how many of them have actually had the balls to challange the dress code established? It's not until someone actually take's an established dress code to court and fight's for there right are we ever trully going to be able to wear skirt's when we want where we want, just like are female counter parts. I mean lets face it did women have to do this when they wanted to start wearing pants to work? I think they did. I feel that once something like this happens then you will see more skirt being made and design for the male body. That's what happend with women and pant's it wasn't until women fought for and won the right to wear pants to work did you see them start making more pants desinged for the female form. So if what we are trully looking for the word "NORM" i feel this is the true way of going about it and getting a skirt into the Normal male wordobe.

[Skirtlover61]

If men wearing skirts became the norm it would take some of the fun and excitement out of doing something different. However, I would keep wearing skirts if they became the norn because they are so comfortable and so nice. Any man that gets the idea that he would like to try a skirt should go for it, he should not hesitate to buy one and wear it in public. He should not wait until skirts becomes the norn because that might be a long time off. Nobody can do it for him. The first time he goes out in a skirt there is a good chance he will be hooked. Skirts are something that any man can enjoy.

[r1g0r]

if men wearing skirts became accepted and normal, i'd be happier than a pig in mud.

no more "wierdo" looks from people
no more dumb-ass "why do you wear..." conversations
no more hunting forever to find a good-fitting garment
no more feeling like an outsider in casual social settings

[crfriend]

Men in skirts as the norm? I have to admit quite a bit of indifference on the matter. I suppose it all comes down to how one defines "the norm". If the definition is limited to the notion that it is perfectly acceptable for a man to wear skirts as well as trousers, then I'm all for the notion; however, if it is taken to mean that men must, or should, wear skirts then I am adamantly opposed for that just places another box around us that's not all that different than the ones that many of us feel we're in already.

As others have commented, personally I like being a bit different -- it sets me apart from the vast herd of lemmings; I could look like a lemming, but actively choose not to. This facet just makes skirt-wearing for me all the more enjoyable. If men were required (or coerced into) wearing skirts I'd lose that; if skirts were "merely accepted" then I'd still have an edge because my personal sartorial style is markedly different from "the norm" even without the added tools that skirts provide.

Random tagline I saw someplace yesterday: "Don't look back! The lemmings may be gaining on you."

[tooslowprius]

I couldn't agree with you more. That's why I think it bothers me so much about that person posting a picture of my in a skirt and hose, becuase I get so tired of getting looked down appon. It would be so nice to be able to just wear skirt if I want to. I mean there has been a few times that I have been
Wearing a skirt and needed to stop by my station for something. But since I was wearing a skirt I figured I better not. It would also make things alpt easier when it comes to kids. I meanets face it how many of that have kids in school would even dare wear a skirt into are kids school, or to a school function? I would venture to say none.

[Milfmog]

If skirts on guys were "the norm", in the way that jeans are now, I'd be sad at the loss of my visual difference, but I would not give up skirts as they are simply more comfortable than any trousers I've ever tried.

However, if by "the norm" in the sense that they were as unremarkable as a pair of chinos or dockers, that would be fine by me and would save all the hassle that R1g0r referred to.

...face it how many of [us] that have kids in school would even dare wear a skirt into are kids school, or to a school function? I would venture to say none.

...and you'd be wrong! I wear kilts and occasionally skirts to school events and when collecting or dropping my lad at school or social events. I did avoid it at first, but he asked why and when I explained that I did not want to make difficulties for him he told me that all his friends already knew of my choices. He'd told them, but some did not believe him because they'd never seen me skirted. So now I wear whatever takes my fancy and we're both happy with that.

Have fun,


Ian.