skirtcafe.org

Rewriting the rules for menswear – new wearable skirts for men

https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/news/new ... ts-for-men

Fashion student Katie Cooper, wouldn't be the first fashion designer, when asked to produce a men's fashion collection, threw in a skirt or two to make something boring have some edge and interest. Even then, one skirt and two trousers, that have a skirt look to them, is hardly taking a full grasp of male skirts.

If you want publicity in you fashion collection then put a man in a skirt, job done, new uniform, man in skirt, front page wonder.

Thanks phathack for the find.

Hi Phatback,

The "rules" for menswear have and always will, be decided by society and social pressure.
Fortunately, there will always be the upstarts and rebels who take delight in breaking them.
Steve.

I don't know what others think but I don't want some fancy fashion creation. All I want is a simple, uncomplicated garment as an alternative to trousers - like most women would buy from a store to wear every day or for work. Straight, A-line or pleated, solid colours or simple patterns etc, and preferably robust rather than flimsy (which is why I like denim, corduroy, heavy cotton or suiting material) or so they maintain masculinity and work well with any shirt or sweater. I want to be able to obtain these from my local clothing store or supermarket without spending a small fortune.

If we insist that skirts maintain "masculinity" then we will not ever free men from the ManBox. All that we will accomplish is adding more rules to the ManBox to keep men imprisoned. We don't need masculine men's skirts in al rugged utilitarian design. We need de-gendering of all skits. It is the only way out of the ManBox. We need to remember that not all men are "masculine" and therefore they don't all subscribe to that look.

jamie001 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 3:50 pm We don't need masculine men's skirts in al rugged utilitarian design. We need de-gendering of all skits. It is the only way out of the ManBox. We need to remember that not all men are "masculine" and therefore they don't all subscribe to that look.

You might not want to be in the "masculine box" or need masculine skirts, but I do. If youn want feminine skirts, go to the women's section where you will be spoiled for choice.

jamie001 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 3:50 pm If we insist that skirts maintain "masculinity" then we will not ever free men from the ManBox. All that we will accomplish is adding more rules to the ManBox to keep men imprisoned. We don't need masculine men's skirts in al rugged utilitarian design. We need de-gendering of all skits. It is the only way out of the ManBox. We need to remember that not all men are "masculine" and therefore they don't all subscribe to that look.

I think Jamie we first have define masculine. At the moment it is being defined for us. "You need to" etc. I say that I decide what masculinity means to me. After all I am a man. Which puts me a right place to decide. Soft frilly skirt, white tights, heels and long curly hair?
Define your own masculinity.
When people say that was then. It just means they refuse to give up their own vision of a man and demand you conform.
So head over to the over side and wear what you want.

Barleymower wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 5:03 pm say that I decide what masculinity means to me. After all I am a man. Which puts me a right place to decide.

100%

Barleymower wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 5:03 pm Soft frilly skirt, white tights, heels and long curly hair?
Define your own masculinity.
When people say that was then. It just means they refuse to give up their own vision of a man and demand you conform.

I only have one objection to this - that style was acceptable for male nobility at the time - women had their own style which was distinctive. And the French Revolution / Great Male Renunciation threw all of that "style" away for "drab working man's" clothes. But for that era that style of clothing for male nobility/aristocracy was considered normal.

If you are simply saying that frilly styles don't define masculinity - yes - they don't/shouldn't. Today they carry a heavy meaning whether we like it or not... but we should be allow to define them for ourselves and what they mean to us.

jamie001 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 3:50 pm We don't need masculine men's skirts in a rugged utilitarian design. We need de-gendering of all skits. It is the only way out of the ManBox.

I think both are valuable. I spend much of my day working in a vegetable garden. When it's cool enough to wear clothes, I want them to be rugged, with good pockets. The light, pretty skirts are nice too, but in the right setting.

Coder wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 9:42 pm

Barleymower wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 5:03 pm say that I decide what masculinity means to me. After all I am a man. Which puts me a right place to decide.

100%

Barleymower wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 5:03 pm Soft frilly skirt, white tights, heels and long curly hair?
Define your own masculinity.
When people say that was then. It just means they refuse to give up their own vision of a man and demand you conform.

I only have one objection to this - that style was acceptable for male nobility at the time - women had their own style which was distinctive. And the French Revolution / Great Male Renunciation threw all of that "style" away for "drab working man's" clothes. But for that era that style of clothing for male nobility/aristocracy was considered normal.

If you are simply saying that frilly styles don't define masculinity - yes - they don't/shouldn't. Today they carry a heavy meaning whether we like it or not... but we should be allow to define them for ourselves and what they mean to us.

All women had a style that was distinct from men. As much as I would like it to be different, that's the way it is/was. Men's styles were always men's styles albeit similar to women's styles.

The thing is, if we want to change the style, we have to decide what we want and wear it day in day out. Then you either become a strange person with a very individual style, or a trailblazer that millions follow and your style becomes the new normal fashion.

I guess if you are happy to be either, then it doesn't matter what you wear as long as you are happy.

Barleymower wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 6:53 pm

All women had a style that was distinct from men. As much as I would like it to be different, that's the way it is/was. Men's styles were always men's styles albeit similar to women's styles.

You might find Fiji clothing and culture interesting. Certain traditions in clothing is still live today. Visitors are ask to respect its culture by having visitors to wear their traditional clothing. Men don't wear pants. Men have their style like skirt that show masculinity. What is interesting their current style of clothing is from Christians and they didn't require men to wear pants like they do today. They didn't require Fiji people to adopt their style of clothing clothing, but ask having their clothing become more be modest. This is the clothing Fiji population wears today. Fiji will become upset when visitor doesn't respect their culture. Men are required to wear a sulu.

https://worldculturalthreads.com/tradit ... g-in-fiji/

https://www.outfiten.com/traditional-clothing-in-fiji/

Thanks MrS but I do know about other cultures which have traditions involving skirted men. Their cultures have progressed alongside ours without losing their dress codes. We have Beau Brummel and the puritanical approach to mens place in society to thank.
I have read that it stems from leaving the hunter gatherer way of life and farming instead. Farms are property and property is passed down through a family. This lead to control of women and the patriarchy. Women have broken free but men have not. The expectations placed on men defining their view of manhood. The most outward form being the way we present ourselves - what we wear.
This knowledge strengthens my resolve to wear what I want.

You might find Fiji clothing and culture interesting. Certain traditions in clothing is still live today. Visitors are ask to respect its culture by having visitors to wear their traditional clothing. Men don't wear pants. Men have their style like skirt that show masculinity. What is interesting their current style of clothing is from Christians and they didn't require men to wear pants like they do today. They didn't require Fiji people to adopt their style of clothing clothing, but ask having their clothing become more be modest. This is the clothing Fiji population wears today. Fiji will become upset when visitor doesn't respect their culture. Men are required to wear a sulu.

https://worldculturalthreads.com/tradit ... g-in-fiji/

https://www.outfiten.com/traditional-clothing-in-fiji/

Men do wear pants in Fiji; but they also have skirted garments -- I've noted here before the formal Fijian police uniform is a black and white skirt with an asymmetrical hem -- quite sharp looking and worn with pride. Other Polynesian island have a more relaxed, or alternative traditional wear aside from the adaptation of western warrior wear Simplicity and climate alone helps continue the traditions.

Its a good thing in introducing some diversity but it won't matter unless people actually start wearing them. Men's and woman's fashion are always going to be different because male and female bodies are not shaped or proportioned the same way. It would be valuable to increase the scope of what 'acceptable' menswear is.