I went to a small rock music festival not too far from home yesterday and spotted a guy in a skirt. He really looked good! Nobody (except me) appeared to give him second look!
I'd loved to have had a word with him about it but, as I had a family member with me I was somewhat reluctant. I wish I had the guts to do what he did though.
I keep meaning to write more in this forum as I often go out in a skirt but not in such a way that it's obvious what I'm wearing...I'm just not that brave. Basically what I do is wear a knee-length skirt but wrap a jumper round the rear then carry a lightweight rain jacket with me to hide the front. To all intents and purposes it looks to anyone else like I'm wearing shorts. My girlfriend (lovely woman who enjoys what I do) says it's not possible to tell what I'm wearing so I go out like this for dog walks, trips to the post office and shops etc. It was nerve-wracking at first but it's almost second nature now.
Given the UK climate, I can't do this all the while but it's fine on the average UK "summer" day when the weather could change at a moments notice.
A cool guy!
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Departed Member
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WSmac
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Far from being a case of semantics, I think you are just flat-out misusing the term BRAVE.
From what you have described, I certainly find you BRAVE.
I would say you are not as comfortable being completely open with your skirt wearing or addressing someone in public who appears to have a similar interest.
But defining and living with your comfort level has little to do with bravery, in my book.
Comfort levels change as factors come along that convince us to change them.
Anyone here (or even those unfortunate souls who have not discovered 'here' ), who wears their skirts whether alone, around family, friends or out in public meets my idea of being brave.
Think of this... One of the greatest fears I see most often here is that of being discovered by the wrong person while we are wearing skirts.
A fear like that could certainly keep us from chancing exposure even when we think we are completely alone and totally safe.
To venture from that fearful place and put that skirt on constitutes a brave act.
Anyway, thanks for your story. I really like the support your girlfriend gives you. That is terrific!
I also like the description of your camouflage while out-and-about.
From what you have described, I certainly find you BRAVE.
I would say you are not as comfortable being completely open with your skirt wearing or addressing someone in public who appears to have a similar interest.
But defining and living with your comfort level has little to do with bravery, in my book.
Comfort levels change as factors come along that convince us to change them.
Anyone here (or even those unfortunate souls who have not discovered 'here' ), who wears their skirts whether alone, around family, friends or out in public meets my idea of being brave.
Think of this... One of the greatest fears I see most often here is that of being discovered by the wrong person while we are wearing skirts.
A fear like that could certainly keep us from chancing exposure even when we think we are completely alone and totally safe.
To venture from that fearful place and put that skirt on constitutes a brave act.
Anyway, thanks for your story. I really like the support your girlfriend gives you. That is terrific!
I also like the description of your camouflage while out-and-about.
WSmac
Wow, I didn't expect such a fast reply. To be honest, I totally abused the word "brave"..that should apply to people in life-threatening situations, not to a bloke in a skirt!.
However, you hit the nail on the head. My greatest fear is meeting someone I know, even though I'm really well aware that they probably won't notice anything untoward. I meet plenty of people I don't know, especially on dog walks, and no-one yet has ever, to my knowledge, noticed what I'm wearing. But I still dread the thought of bumping into my sister while wearing a skirt in town. My girlfriend (who has known of my taste in clothes for 25 years but we've only just started being a proper couple and is my sisters best friend) is wonderful and her support is crucial to me as I will go places with her that I wouldn't go alone. She's more confident about me wearing a skirt than I am!
I still don't feel I could openly wear a skirt in public. If I did I may be pleasantly surprised but, although I'm not a shrinking violet, I don't have the type of personality that could shrug off comments from a beer-fuelled medallion wearing macho-man. In the meantime, my current disguise works nicely and I can happily walk around shopping centres with little fear of anyone knowing what I'm really wearing.
However, you hit the nail on the head. My greatest fear is meeting someone I know, even though I'm really well aware that they probably won't notice anything untoward. I meet plenty of people I don't know, especially on dog walks, and no-one yet has ever, to my knowledge, noticed what I'm wearing. But I still dread the thought of bumping into my sister while wearing a skirt in town. My girlfriend (who has known of my taste in clothes for 25 years but we've only just started being a proper couple and is my sisters best friend) is wonderful and her support is crucial to me as I will go places with her that I wouldn't go alone. She's more confident about me wearing a skirt than I am!
I still don't feel I could openly wear a skirt in public. If I did I may be pleasantly surprised but, although I'm not a shrinking violet, I don't have the type of personality that could shrug off comments from a beer-fuelled medallion wearing macho-man. In the meantime, my current disguise works nicely and I can happily walk around shopping centres with little fear of anyone knowing what I'm really wearing.
Yes, as a pilot (only Cessna's) and aviation enthusiast I was sad to see Coltishall close. Now, wearing a skirt on an RAF base...that would be interesting! I can imagine the messroom bantermerlin wrote:Shame RAF Coltishall has closed (G. Brown - withdrawal of funding for the Jaguar)(Sale of RAF homes, before closure!), you might have met another (denim) skirt wearer!
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cessna152towser
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Well I do some private flying too.Yes, as a pilot (only Cessna's) and aviation enthusiast I was sad to see Coltishall close. Now, wearing a skirt on an RAF base...that would be interesting! I can imagine the messroom banter
Learned on Cessna 152's hence my username though nowadays I fly a friend's Piper Cherokee.
There are plenty of men's kilt style skirts available nowadays which you could gain confidence in wearing out and about.
My only skirt, as opposed to kilt, is a box-pleat camo skirt from Midas Clothing and I've never had any problems wearing it out in public.
Last week I flew to Liverpool wearing my Union Camo kilt and wandered around Liverpool with no comments whatsoever. On the way home, finding myself in thick cloud over the Lake District and not relishing the idea of having to do an NDB/DME letdown at Carlisle where the cloudbase was reported as 400 feet, I diverted to Blackpool Airport and returned from there to Carlisle by train.
I returned the following day to retrieve the 'plane wearing one of my denim Union Kilts and while waiting the connecting train at Preston I was approached by a young guy who was very enthusiastic about the denim kilt - wanted to know where I'd got it and said he wished he had the confidence to wear one himself.
I also own a kilt in RAF tartan which I wear while I'm on duty at an aviation museum. The Air Force kiltmaker pleated it to the sett as for a civilian kilt instead of the usual pleating to the stripe of a military kilt, as although my father served in the RAF, I was only ever in the Air Training Corps. When I've worn the RAF kilt onto RAF bases at open days and air shows its had some inquisitive looks - RAF officers recognise the tartan but notice there's something not quite right to their eyes about the pleats.
Please view my photos of kilts and skirts, old trains, vintage buses and classic aircraft on http://www.flickr.com/photos/cessna152towser/
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WSmac
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Jaycee,
Hmmm, thanks for being kind to me in your reply about the term brave.
Looking back, I could have used a few more smilies to lessen the tone.
I still believe you are doing a brave thing in facing your fears. Even if you are camouflaged, as I had said, you are putting yourself out there in public not knowing what anyone else may do.
I applaud that!
Cessna, I'd like to see a pic of that kilt someday.
I think exploring the alternatives to just a plain skirt are worthwhile in your case Jaycee.
There are sarongs, dhotis, kilts (of course) both traditional and new-age.
The kilt path can be an expensive proposition no matter which style you choose.
I found a nice skirt in cotton, with cargo pockets much like on my cargo shorts. It is a nice blue color and I've never had any problem wearing it in around town or at school.
Perhaps something like that would work better for the first open outing?
Hmmm, thanks for being kind to me in your reply about the term brave.
Looking back, I could have used a few more smilies to lessen the tone.
I still believe you are doing a brave thing in facing your fears. Even if you are camouflaged, as I had said, you are putting yourself out there in public not knowing what anyone else may do.
I applaud that!
Cessna, I'd like to see a pic of that kilt someday.
I think exploring the alternatives to just a plain skirt are worthwhile in your case Jaycee.
There are sarongs, dhotis, kilts (of course) both traditional and new-age.
The kilt path can be an expensive proposition no matter which style you choose.
I found a nice skirt in cotton, with cargo pockets much like on my cargo shorts. It is a nice blue color and I've never had any problem wearing it in around town or at school.
Perhaps something like that would work better for the first open outing?
WSmac
Wsmac, I also found a neat cargo-type skirt from G-Star. It avoids all the usual pitfalls -- it isn't too short, it isn't over-decorated, the detailing is all "rugged" looking, it allows movement, it's a darkish olive green colour, it has loads of useful pockets for mobiles, cards, cash, it has hand pockets that aren't one inch deep (why do they bother putting one inch deep pockets on things?), it sits on the hips, and it isn't flared.
I wear it and people look twice only because they assume it must be made for men. In fact, I even think that! Because the colour is so muted, I can easily wear a Hawaiian style shirt with traces of the green in it and it looks just fine, not overdressed at all. As it's reasonably long, I can wear sandals and don't have to wear boots to balance the weight of it.
Where did you find yours?
I wear it and people look twice only because they assume it must be made for men. In fact, I even think that! Because the colour is so muted, I can easily wear a Hawaiian style shirt with traces of the green in it and it looks just fine, not overdressed at all. As it's reasonably long, I can wear sandals and don't have to wear boots to balance the weight of it.
Where did you find yours?
The only thing man cannot endure is meaninglessness.
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Since1982
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Untoward remarks
As I go skirted everywhere for 3 years now, I hardly ever run into someone that gives an untoward remark. The last one wasn't even untoward, just ignorant. A guy in his probably middle 40's walked up to me in the Grocery store and said, "Are you wearing a skirt?" To which I pleasantly replied, "Just a minute, let me check, OH yes, I believe I am". He looked at me sideways and said, "But WHY?" I answered with, "Because I find them far more comfortable than trousers". He then said, "But you're a man!" I said, yes, that's definitely true, amazing you devined that!, have a nice day!" and I walked away leaving him standing there shaking his head. I wonder on what planet this guy's been for the last 10 or so years.. 
I had to remove this signature as it was being used on Twitter. This is my OPINION, you NEEDN'T AGREE.
Story of Life, Perspire, Expire, Funeral Pyre!I've been skirted part time since 1972 and full time since 2005. http://skirts4men.myfreeforum.org/
Story of Life, Perspire, Expire, Funeral Pyre!I've been skirted part time since 1972 and full time since 2005. http://skirts4men.myfreeforum.org/
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WSmac
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binx, $27!? I may have to visit his webstore again
iain, I got my skirt at a store called Kmart. It used to be one of the bigger retailers in the U.S., started down towards hardtimes, recently purchased by Sears (or was that the other way around?
).
I agree with you on the pocket issue.
The women's jeans and skirts I've worn have unbelievably shallow pockets... but then... they carry purses to make up for it.
When I was wearing skirts at Lark Camp recently, I kept wanting to hang my hands in my front pockets which didn't exist on anything I took to camp to wear!
Had to devise a new 'thing' to do with my hands.
iain, I got my skirt at a store called Kmart. It used to be one of the bigger retailers in the U.S., started down towards hardtimes, recently purchased by Sears (or was that the other way around?
).I agree with you on the pocket issue.
The women's jeans and skirts I've worn have unbelievably shallow pockets... but then... they carry purses to make up for it.
When I was wearing skirts at Lark Camp recently, I kept wanting to hang my hands in my front pockets which didn't exist on anything I took to camp to wear!
Had to devise a new 'thing' to do with my hands.
WSmac
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WSmac
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I have an assortment of belt packs with shoulder straps, and shoulder bags from Eagle Creek.
These are the outdoorsy style of bag which you might take hiking/camping.
I like them because they are casual looking, and hold all the stuff I like to carry at times.
I also have a small black purse (from Eagle Creek again - used to be my wife's until she tired of it ) that I use when I have no pockets at all.
I got away from carrying things like car keys in my pants pockets, years ago.
I kept wearing a hole in my jeans/pants from the sharp edges of all those keys I carried. I just couldn't bear to be without my keys!
I love cargo pockets for that reason. They don't hold items snug and close to my body as pants pockets do.
Same with the pockets on my UK.
These are the outdoorsy style of bag which you might take hiking/camping.
I like them because they are casual looking, and hold all the stuff I like to carry at times.
I also have a small black purse (from Eagle Creek again - used to be my wife's until she tired of it
) that I use when I have no pockets at all.I got away from carrying things like car keys in my pants pockets, years ago.
I kept wearing a hole in my jeans/pants from the sharp edges of all those keys I carried. I just couldn't bear to be without my keys!
I love cargo pockets for that reason. They don't hold items snug and close to my body as pants pockets do.
Same with the pockets on my UK.
WSmac