Conversation about skirts at Art class

[DrFishnets]

I was at my arts and craft class today and I wore a black t-shirt midi dress and a waistcoat with a pair of black tights and doc martens. Anyway one of the female tutors complimented my outfit saying how wonderful I looked in it which turned into a long interesting conversation between myself and the two female art tutors about fashion and they said to me that it’s a pity that there aren't more men experimenting with female clothing as they think skirts and certain dresses on men look really good.

They said they are baffled how women were able to experiment and wear men’s clothes yet men don’t experiment with women’s clothes. This made me feel really good and gave me more confidence. They then told me that they are looking forward to what other skirts and dresses I’ll be wearing next week at class and I mentioned to them that I have an interest in fashion design and designing and making my own skirts and dresses. They told me that the is a fashion design going at the college and I should apply. Anyway it was a very interesting conversation.

[STEVIE]

Awwww Dr F, the good old double standard is the reason in a nutshell.
Girls are encouraged to experiment, be "tomboys" even "borrow" from brother, Dad or any handy male.
Gods help the boy who wanted to try the same in reverse.
That all carries forward into adulthood and leaves women in a much stronger fashion position than men.
Now let's just keep this quiet or we will hear wails and gnashing of teeth from the softer souls among us.
Steve

[DrFishnets]

Oh Stevie I wish you were wrong what you wrote but unfortunately you are right. It is double standards and I knew that anyway that’s why I was surprised that the two women who run the Art class I attend told me they cannot understand why more men don’t experiment with cross gender fashion. I thought they would have known the reason but obviously they were trying to tell me they disagree with the double standards. They told me times are changing as men in skirts are becoming more acceptable than before in the olden days. Anyway, it doesn’t stop me from wearing a skirt or dress and going out in public dressed like that.

BTW the double standards makes experimenting with womens clothes more exciting.

[moonshadow]

They told me times are changing as men in skirts are becoming more acceptable than before in the olden days.

Times haven't changed all that much.

[DrFishnets]

They told me times are changing as men in skirts are becoming more acceptable than before in the olden days.

Times haven't changed all that much.

Maybe so, but so far I have had no issues (yet that is) from anyone whilst dressed in a skirt or dress in public shopping. Maybe the reason for that is the hate crime law here in Scotland but I don’t know.

To be honest if I did receive negative reactions from members of the public I wouldn't give a damn and I would laugh it off. I’m so proud of myself having the confidence to don a skirt or dress outside in public considering I have never been a confident guy. Those in the general public who disapprove of a guy in a skirt or dress can go to hell for all I care.

The conversation I was having with the two women was very reassuring and interesting and they really supported me and helped me apply for fashion design course.

[timemeddler]

They told me times are changing as men in skirts are becoming more acceptable than before in the olden days.

Times haven't changed all that much.

I guess it depends on perspective, how long ago were the olden days?

[moonshadow]

Maybe so, but so far I have had no issues (yet that is) from anyone whilst dressed in a skirt or dress in public shopping.

There have likely been issues, you just don't know about them.

I guess it depends on perspective, how long ago were the olden days?

Look around, things haven't changed all that much in the last 200,000 years. We're still a species of monkey brains.

[Coder]

Maybe so, but so far I have had no issues (yet that is) from anyone whilst dressed in a skirt or dress in public shopping.

There have likely been issues, you just don't know about them.

Yeah - this is the underlying fear I have day in and day out. I've eliminated most other fears, but this one is the known unknown - something that probably exists but there's no way to know the truth. I mostly worry about gossip - coworkers going home and talking to their spouses - or just the silent disapproval from a "karen" (is there an equivalent for a man?). Heck, I could imagine a person going to the store manager and decrying my presence.

But I'm lately of the mind that - I could leave this earth (intentionally or otherwise) and never experience freedom to be myself - so I've made it a point to be myself because the alternative is too dark to contemplate.

[Fred in Skirts]

Look around, things haven't changed all that much in the last 200,000 years. We're still a species of monkey brains.

th-3255853900.jpg

[DrFishnets]

There have likely been issues, you just don't know about them.

Obviously, but what you don’t know doesn’t harm you.

I thought the purpose of this forum was to encourage fellow male skirt wearers to go out and face their fears of wearing skirts in public with positive stories. Your reply seems a bit negative. I am fully aware of that ridicule behind my back which was the main reason that stopped me from going out dressed in skirts and dresses. I have conquered those fears and I don’t really care what they think. I feel more comfortable dressed that way.

Without contradicting what I wrote above, one fear I have and I am having a hard time conquering and is likely to happen is getting my photo taken by a member of public without me knowing and it being put on social media for laughs and ridicule. Paranoia is a *****. It makes me angry that I cannot enjoy what I find therapeutic and that is wearing comfortable skirts, leggings and dresses in public without those negative thoughts in my head.

[STEVIE]

There has been a change, but it is superficial and it's tolerance.
Sure, we are tolerated, most of the time no one gives a damn, occasionally, there is a glimmer of interest, the art teacher for instance,
What really hasn't changed very much is the level of acceptance and I see no indication of that changing anytime soon.
I now have two family events where I will be absent this year and in both cases it is because I know perfectly well that my clothing choices are not acceptable!
That is just my personal experience, limited, but I hear nothing here or from the wider world to give me real cause for optimism.
Perhaps I should adopt this as a personal motto
"Tolerance is being invited to the party, ACCEPTANCE is being asked to dance".
I haven't, have YOU?
Steve.

[moonshadow]

thought the purpose of this forum was to encourage fellow male skirt wearers to go out and face their fears of wearing skirts in public with positive stories. Your reply seems a bit negative

The sun can't shine every day.

[DrFishnets]

"Tolerance is being invited to the party, ACCEPTANCE is being asked to dance".
I haven't, have YOU?
Steve.

I like that quote

I suppose the “acceptance” part of being asked to dance was from my partner and the girl at the university and my art teachers but from everyone else it’s been “tolerance” part of being invited to the party. I’ve probably had custard pies thrown at me but not known about it.

[moonshadow]

Regarding the party metaphor....

You won't even know there's a party going on.

And in my case, it's wasn't a metaphor.

[DrFishnets]

The sun can't shine every day.

Yes, exactly that is the reality of life but most of us prefer it when the sun shines to feel good for mental wellbeing. Society nowadays is becoming sinister and depressing that we need those treats in life.