Can men in skirts look sexy? Is this allowed?

[ChristopherJ]

I wear short skirts - simply because I am skinny and I think that short skirts suit me best. A fellow poster on this forum, who shall remain nameless, pointed out to me that - just as short skirts on women send out a strong sexual signal - so do short skirts on men.

This caught me completely by surprise. Although part of the reason I enjoy wearing a skirt is the sensual feeling that it gives me at times. This is sensual - not sexy. They are different - at least, in my mind. When I say a skirt can feel sensual, I just mean that it makes me feel good - physically - in the same way that a relaxing massage can.

Anyhow - all I mean to say is that I do not feel 'sexy' when wearing a skirt and was suprised to learn that men in skirts can look very sexy to some women. It is obvious, I suppose, that what works one way - i.e. If I see a woman wearing a short skirt, I might admire her legs and wonder what was hidden away higher up . . .

Apparently - this works for men in skirts too. Women might admire our legs - and wonder about what is hidden higher up . . .

So - as a topic for discussion. Do you dress (in a skirt) to look sexy? Can men wear skirts in a sexy way? Should we? Is it allowed?

[rick]

Agree entirely. Short skirts are sensual! I too wear them for the feeling they give. If women find it sexy then lucky me. I suspect most women wear them for the feel as well as coolness in summer and, whilst they should be prepared for men to admire their legs, they should not have to endure unwelcome sexual advances. No more should men expect them from either sex. The only message it should send out is look but don't touch!

[JeffB1959]

A most interesting topic indeed! Can a man send out sexual signals in a short skirt as women do? Well, I think that's certainly possible, but that depends on several factors, most importantly, the man's shape and appearance. A man who's relatively handsome, well groomed, has a slim, trim physique, has good looking legs and carries himself with confidence while in public might well be able to send out those certain signals.

On the other hand, a man who's not so handsome, has a sizeable paunch, isn't groomed and has dumpy looking legs definitely won't send out any signals, other than how ridiculous he looks to the world around him in a short skirt. Forgive me if that picture I just painted might describe a member or two here, but that's just the way it is I'm afraid. Just like not all women can look good in a short skirt, the same definitely applies to men as well, for us to think differently would be the height of folly.

As for myself, it never occured to me to wear a skirt of any length because it looks sexy, I do it because it feels good, pleasurable, nothing more. If I were to ever venture forth in a short skirt (not quite ready for that yet) and a member of the fairer sex were to interpret what I wear as sexy, I'll certainly be surprised. For sure that would make me feel good too.

[crfriend]

A most interesting topic indeed! Can a man send out sexual signals in a short skirt as women do?

I think the operative question is whether they are the same signals that women send out. I suspect they'll be somewhat different.

Just because a woman has a short skirt on is not necessarily an indication that she's "on the make", so it's incorrect to think that that's the case; after all, she could just be trying to escape the heat, is happily engaged in a relationship, and not interested in straying.

On the other hand, a man who's not so handsome, has a sizeable paunch, isn't groomed and has dumpy looking legs definitely won't send out any signals, other than how ridiculous he looks to the world around him in a short skirt.

Is the same observation true for women? Some women can look entirely dumpy and dowdy in shorts (tr*users, or longer skirts) and look positively stunning in short skirts. I think it's more about attitude and how the wearer carries the garment. True, the stereotypical short-skirt wearer is rail-thin (and try convincing anybody that's realistically sized that what the fashion industry has done to womens' self-image isn't criminal), but stereotypes are made to be defied, and who are we to judge what body type is "appropriate" for a given garment and what type isn't?

If I were to ever venture forth in a short skirt (not quite ready for that yet) and a member of the fairer sex were to interpret what I wear as sexy, I'll certainly be surprised. For sure that would make me feel good too.

Comments occasionally happen and, yes, they're a bit of a rush -- a good one, too!

[ChristopherJ]

Just because a woman has a short skirt on is not necessarily an indication that she's "on the make", so it's incorrect to think that that's the case; after all, she could just be trying to escape the heat, is happily engaged in a relationship, and not interested in straying.

I didn't mean that short skirt = slut or something. Women - like men, I assume - dress in order to look good and feel good. Attracting a man might be the aim in certain situations - perhaps when going out to a nightclub etc. - but for most of the time the aim might be to look good to men - without actually attracting them. It's hard enough doing the shopping in a supermarket without having people try and chat you up every time. Nevertheless, I think that a short skirt automatically has some sexual connotation (probably subconcious) simply because it is drawing attention to the legs - and by inference to the top of the legs . . .

So a woman might wear a short skirt because it looks great (sexy) and she knows that she will get lots of looks from the men - and that is good for her ego or whatever - and that is all she wants.

I'm wondering how this works in reverse - i.e. when men are wearing the skirts. Any women out there care to give their views on this?

[BrotherTailor]

I think pretty much anything is "allowed" these days, at least in urban areas (where I am it is not so open). I would not personally wear anything shorter than just above the kneecap. however...

I do think that there are a lot of women who - mostly of the very young teenybopper sort - (although there are some older ones too), fail to grasp the basic elements of balance and proportion in choosing clothing styles. A lady can have an ample figure and still dress in a "balanced" manner and pull off magical things. The recent decade has been dismal in my opinion for women. When I see a well dressed woman it is like spotting a Stanley Steamer...stop and make a note of it.

Not that a lot of men are any better - we're just more modest in dress I think so we cover up. And I don;t really pay much attention to men to be honest.

I do know that I have in times past made a conscious effort to "dress to impress" as a man, and have been rewarded with the glances and attention of women following me. You know that you are being watched. This was with conventional male fashion. Being slender in middle age seems to be something to look at these days anyhow it seems. I do not make such attempts now.

My physique is basically that of a tall, skinny, wide shouldered, flat-chested woman in general. If I tried hard enough I could cinch my waist down to the right ratio and do the whole cross dressing thing and likely pass it off.(if i shaved my moustache, but that isn't going to happen ) My fashion tastes run along the lines of what would flatter such a figure.

I recently saw a young lady,very fit and slender but not exceedingly thin, pushing a pram, and likely 5'10" or so, in low heels wearing a loose, soft black dress, with short sleeves, a self fabric tie at the waist and falling to just above her knees, it might have been some sort of poly/silk blend material...she had a very small bust - you might miss it. I was entranced as she walked along and I was waiting in traffic. Her look was very easy and unaffected, she once bent forward to fuss with the baby and her calf muscles flexed nicely. I believe her hair was fairly long and pulled back in a ponytail or a bun, I forget which. I say all that to say that shortness of skirt does not automatically equal sexy to me. A skirt could be full and ankle length and still do the trick.

I think a man wishing to exude "sexiness" (I hate that word...) let's say "virility" and confidence, needs to take into consideration the entire "look" he is presenting. What feels "sexy" on you might look like total crap to everyone else. If it makes you feel good, then fine, but don't be disappointed if not everyone applauds. I saw an older man, somewhat on the heavy side, wearing a white miniskirt and a tight white tanktop and some sort of awful white ladies heeled shoe a few months ago on a street in a small town. It was the ugliest thing I've seen in years. He was likely havng fun - but he was not doing those of us who wish to be seen as mature and respectable and contributing members of a rational society any favours. Now a man in a kilt and a cable knit sweater with appropriate footgear walking his dog or something - now that is "sexy" to me, and projcts a healthy and normal image to those who are not as far along the evolutionary trail....

But anything is allowed.

[Since1982]

Except at the top of Everest, the North or South pole, most clothing is worn for "look and or style" rather than for comfort, except in the case of skirts, (to me, skirts are definitely worn for comfort compared to "any" trousers). I think wearing "any" clothing for a sexy look is definitely not only permissible but should be encouraged.

[Skirt Chaser]

just as short skirts on women send out a strong sexual signal - so do short skirts on men.

Having given this little thought I'd say anything where you get more skin revealed (or a form fitting element like the leggings) the sexual element is going to come in to play in the right contexts.

Can men wear skirts in a sexy way?

You betcha! Seen it at home here with the intended effect though it is really more a factor of seeing a happy Quiet Man than the ankle length skirt itself.

Should we?

A resounding YES in the right circumstances. Go ahead, make the viewers happy!

Is it allowed?

Who's gonna stop you? While it is not a typical route for men to show off their looks it certainly is an option.

Quiet Mouse

[sapphire]

Of course men can look sexy in skirts!

[Emerald Witch]

I blush even to begin speaking on the subject.

Everyone here knows how much I love men in skirts. I think you're all sexy. Maybe I'm not the right one to comment on the subject, just because I do tend towards the upper end of that bell-curve. (Some folks are going to be disturbed by men in skirts, a lot of folks won't care much, and some, like me, will find it a turn-on.)

That having been said, I definately think that sexual signals are sent out by lots of factors about a person, not the least of which is their clothing choices. OF COURSE a short skirt is going to send sexual thoughts through the minds of anyone whose thoughts were open to rambling in that direction anyhow...

But if I may take this on a tangent, I've been accused of being "on the make" before, just because I was wearing lipstick, even though I was fully covered from neck to wrist to ankle. So obviously clothing choices are not the end-all-be-all of some people's perceptions. Or else, some folks just love to have an excuse to pawn their feelings off on other folks' behavior (clothing choices) rather than take responsibility for what they then DO about having those feelings.

As far as the question of whether men SHOULD look sexy in skirts -- Um, is this a trick question? I know you can't possibly be asking for permission to feel sexy, or to impress a lady, or to flirt... You can't mean that you perhaps sometimes think to yourself that you see someone you fancy and so you quick as a flash run home and change into a pair of Levi's so that you can then be ALLOWED to go chat her up, impress her with your wit, deep voice, husky laugh and be sexy? Come on, I'm just really cnofuesd!

But then again, I must also agree with Brother Tailor in that most of the time the men that I find most attractive (actually ALL people that I consider most attractive and impressive) are the ones who are well-dressed, well accessorized, who have given full thought and attention to the entirety to their outfit. Very few men do this. It isn't really about showing a lot of skin. Women often employ the "showing-skin" technique because it's a shortcut over the "building-a-great-outfit" technique.

For example, when a girl with a great body wears a skimpy tank top and a short skirt, she knows she doesn't have to do much more, and she'll be noticed and appreciated. Actually, a girl doesn't even have to have that fantastic a body... generally there's somebody out there who will admire pretty much any girl who's willing to display herself.

But if a lady wants to impress folks a bit more, she takes the time to shop for just the RIGHT kind of shoe rather than flip-flops, she buys well-fitting clothes, or has them tailored to fit. She graduates to finer fabrics like silks, fine rayons and good cotton or linen blends instead of settling for polyester. She notices how patterns match on prints where seams or buttons come together. She starts realizing that she deserves to wear makeup and jewelery every day JUST BECAUSE SHE LOVES LOOKING GORGEOUS, not because she is "on the make".

Well, all that was couched in female terms, but it could be translated to male.

[ChristopherJ]

As far as the question of whether men SHOULD look sexy in skirts -- Um, is this a trick question? I know you can't possibly be asking for permission to feel sexy, or to impress a lady, or to flirt... You can't mean that you perhaps sometimes think to yourself that you see someone you fancy and so you quick as a flash run home and change into a pair of Levi's so that you can then be ALLOWED to go chat her up, impress her with your wit, deep voice, husky laugh and be sexy? Come on, I'm just really cnofuesd!

I've never been cnofuesd. Is it fun?

But about my comment, I just meant - 'should we' - as in the sense - is it permissible, does it break any unwritten rules that no-one has told me about?

In times gone by men used to dress very elaborately. I'm thinking of the 1500's and later. They wore embroidered stockings, had silk flowers on their shoes, wore skirts that barely covered their bum and wore a 'cod piece' to cover their best bits. I can't give more detail here as I would have to hunt out reference books - but my point is that men used to dress elaborately - presumably to look good to the other sex.

But these days, men are often dressed in the Victorian style drabness of a black suit for work and jeans etc. for leisure. I see both of those outfits as being basically asexual - i.e. they suppress the sexuality of the man.

I'm getting a bit lost here - so I hope I'm making sense. basically I am wondering why these days men seem to dress down in respect of their sexuality - to minimise it - while women often dress to emphasise it. There seems to be unwritten social rules that control this. It never used to be like this.

[crfriend]

As far as the question of whether men SHOULD look sexy in skirts -- Um, is this a trick question? I know you can't possibly be asking for permission to feel sexy, or to impress a lady, or to flirt... You can't mean that you perhaps sometimes think to yourself that you see someone you fancy and so you quick as a flash run home and change into a pair of Levi's so that you can then be ALLOWED to go chat her up, impress her with your wit, deep voice, husky laugh and be sexy? Come on, I'm just really cnofuesd!

Thanks, Emerald Witch, so much for that. No, we're not as a group (or at least I'm not as an individual) asking "permission", it's more of a question as to whether it's acceptable for a man to express, via clothing choices, a sensuality that trousers just cannot convey. If, heaven forbid, I ever met someone that could tempt me away from my dear wife, and I felt the need to "back off and change into trousers", I'd likely dismiss the entire notion altogether. It just doesn't make sense. If one is "on the make" (and it applies to guys as well as gals), one is "marketing" themself, and, hence, will do the marketing to the appropriate demographic -- and it's worth noting at this point in time that a demographic that appreciates, and might be attracted to, guys in skirts (presenting as guys) is quite likely rather small; hence, most blokes won't even entertain the idea.

I'm not immune to insecurity when it comes to how I look, and I'm usually quite self-assured in what I wear and what I do. But, this evening after getting home, I somehow felt the need to ask my wife whether my outfit (an ankle-length light purple skirt and blue-and-purple-print Hawaiian shirt combo) looked good! She said it did (does, actually, I've still got it on); I should listen to her more often.

But then again, I must also agree with Brother Tailor in that most of the time the men that I find most attractive (actually ALL people that I consider most attractive and impressive) are the ones who are well-dressed, well accessorized, who have given full thought and attention to the entirety to their outfit. Very few men do this.

It's sad that blokes don't pay more attention to detail, but one needs to remember that it's been "beaten out of us" for several generations. Blokes just chuck on the "safe" stuff they're issued and go out the door -- we're not conditioned to actually contemplate what we're putting on because it's simply prescribed for us. Interestingly, I find myself now actively contemplating what shirt to wear in the morning not to match my work trousers (black), but rather to how it'll "go" with what I might want to put on when I get home. Even weather forecasts come into play in this regard (e.g. "Can I get away with one of my minis, or is it going to be something longer so I don't freeze my tuckus off?")

It isn't really about showing a lot of skin. Women often employ the "showing-skin" technique because it's a shortcut over the "building-a-great-outfit" technique.

Thanks again for that. A brilliantly put together outfit trumps a show of skin any day (although, being a normal red-blooded bloke, I do appreciate the latter when it can be pulled off well ), and I appreciate that when I see it. Guys, actually, should strive for nothing less -- and we don't have the option for the "reveal" that the gals do -- in getting the look "right". Now, "right" is a damnably difficult thing to define because it varies from person to person; what might look positively smashing on one chap might look positively dowdy and hideous on another -- and here's the biggest problem in where MIS are going: "What are the 'rules'?" Do we need any?

Well, all that was couched in female terms, but it could be translated to male.

I believe it translates quite well. At least it does if blokes in skirts don't want to look like parodies of our women partners.

[JeffB1959]

Upon further review, I think a man can look sexy in a skirt, short or otherwise, provided he does it right, as in putting together an entire outfit, create a complete package from head to toe that makes a man appear supremely stylish and fashionable and, in turn, helps cultivate the image of sex appeal.

That means being properly groomed and adding just the right accessories in terms of tops, jewelry (if so inclined) and footwear. While I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but in my opinion, the skirt isn't the be-all and end-all when it comes to this particular topic, it has to be part of a total package. Just wearing a skirt won't cut it if you've got a five o'clock shadow, haven't combed your hair and are wearing a tank top and dirty sneakers. I know that's an extreme example, but you have to consider the WHOLE package when out and about in a skirt.

Speaking just for myself, I wouldn't want people to see me and say, "Damn! That guy's wearing a skirt!", but rather, "Damn! That guy looks great in a skirt!" That's the sort of image I want to present. If people were to then considered me as being sexy, well, so much the better. And that's what I believe.

[crfriend]

Speaking just for myself, I wouldn't want people to see me and say, "Damn! That guy's wearing a skirt!", but rather, "Damn! That guy looks great in a skirt!"

Perhaps even better would be a reaction of, "Damn! That guy looks great!" I'm not playing down the skirt aspect; I'm playing to the aspect that the overall look can trump the perceived oddity of seeing a guy in a skirt, and that it's the overall look that's key.

[sapphire]

I must add that Carl's wearing of skirts has actually brought us closer together. Whilst trapped in the en-trousered look, Carl really didn't care much about fashion or how he put outfits together.

Now, he cares very much and we have some really good disucssions about what works whith what. He looks better and feels better and we have one more thing in common.

YIPPEE!

I just wish that more women would be more open minded about MIS. They are missing so much and are beng just as closed minded as the society that trapped women outside of the workplace and took away their fashion choices.