Well the month has arrived

[Pythos]

At least once a year I go one month of not wearing any of the clothing that I like to wear, and wear jeans, slacks, t-shirts, and other clothing associated with "normal" men. This year I may let my beard grow out.

The thing about this year's "boring clothing month" is it may be the last. Every year I notice basically no change in my life except for my limiteting myself from what I like to wear.

This year however I may find myself entirely giving up fashion freedom. Reason? Because the concept is simply not catching on, and male fashion and female fashion is becoming more and more mundane. No-one is trying one darn thing new, and when they do, they are berated.

The near lack of enthusiasm at this site is also a contributing factor. How so? Look at the past posts. Aside from Peter V, Sapphire, and CF friend, the posts have been negative in the realm of men obtaining the freedom to wear what they want. A lot of hiding, and bowing down to those you should not have to bow down to, and so on.

In short I am getting tired of beating my head against the wall.

I so would love to be able to put on a skirt and hose, along with other so called male clothing, and go about my life without running the risk of getting beaten up just for wearing a skirt.

But I have yet to see one other guy out there in a skirt as a man, not as a wantabe woman.

We shall see. Most likely by the end of the month I will be completely looking forward to shaving my legs, taking a shower, and sliding into what ever "odd" outfit I feel like getting into.

[sapphire]

Pythos,
Self flaggelation and head beating aren't going to make you happy, unless you have some condition listed in DSM IV or are a member of some religous nut group. And I am sure that does not apply to you.

Your sense of style is much more experimental and fashion forward than most people on this forum. Don't give up on your imaginative and creative abilities just because you are a pioneer.

Wear your skirt and hose, or that beautiful dress or your leggings or your catsuit. Your style may not be for everyone, but it is YOUR STYLE. Be proud of it.

The pace of change in society is glacial. "They" won't catch up to you within any timeframe that you would like, but you will stay ahead of "them"

{begin tease}

On another note, I'll share something from the Dale Carnegie course I took early in my career. People's names are important to them.

When you call me "Safire", all I can think of is William Safire

William L. Safire (born December 17, 1929) is an American author, semi-retired columnist, and former journalist and presidential speechwriter.

He is perhaps best known as a long-time syndicated political columnist for The New York Times and a regular contributor to "On Language" in the New York Times Magazine, a column on popular etymology, new or unusual usages, and other language-related topics.

I'm not William.

Sapphire is a precious gemstone, birthstone for September, a 9.0 on the Mohs hardness scale, an Aluminum oxide crystal made blue by traces of iron and titanium in the crystal lattice. Sapphire is my birthstone and blue is my favorite color.

Sapphire has nothing to do with Sappho and neither do I.

If "sapphire" is too hard to spell, you may call me by my given name, Diana.

If Diana is too confusing with the late HRH, you may call me god.

But please don't call me William

{end tease}

[And I am teasing you, Pythos, so please don't get unhinged]

[crfriend]

This year however I may find myself entirely giving up fashion freedom. Reason? Because the concept is simply not catching on, and male fashion and female fashion is becoming more and more mundane. No-one is trying one darn thing new, and when they do, they are berated.

This, in and of itself, is not a valid reason for "giving up" and surrendering to the mundane. If anything, it should be a reason to push in the other direction. I'll agree that what passes for "fashion" today is dull, drab, and utterly boring; but, there are occasionally bright spots. Once in a while, I'll see an outfit that makes me turn my head and think, "Wow! That looks good.". Actually, having that happen only very occasionally heightens the "Wow!" factor.

You pick a good month to be drab, although if it were me picking the month, I'd go for February. It's cold (20F outside as I type this with a 25 MPH wind making it all that much nastier) here and we're expecting "Wintry mix" (snow/sleet/freezing rain) tonight and into tomorrow. I suspect I'll be in trousers later today when Sapphire and I go out for dinner (or me to work, where one of my personal computer systems blew a disk this morning), but for the moment, I've got on a T-shirt with a map of Massachusetts on it, a 15" black/pink plaid mini-kilt, and sheer legwear for (some) warmth.

The near lack of enthusiasm at this site is also a contributing factor. How so? Look at the past posts. Aside from Peter V, Safire, and CF friend, the posts have been negative in the realm of men obtaining the freedom to wear what they want.

I see it a bit differently. Sure, there is some pushback on very "feminine" (whatever that is) garb, but on the whole this is a remarkably positive community. The main thrust of what you may perceive as negativity may arise from what I term "a need to look believable", which, sadly, tends toward muted colours and only certain styles of skirts. With luck, that'll eventually open up a bit.

I so would love to be able to put on a skirt and hose, along with other so called male clothing, and go about my life without running the risk of getting beaten up just for wearing a skirt.

The general experience here seems to be that so long as you're reasonably wise in your choice of venue, you won't get much hassle much less getting physically accosted. In three or four years of openly wearing skirts in public, I've only had one "close encounter" that could have escalated into real trouble (a fight), and that was quickly defused.

But I have yet to see one other guy out there in a skirt as a man, not as a wantabe woman.

That's unremarkable. My personal count of male skirt-wearers in public stands at one in the past twenty years. The number of guys who have the combination of desire, confidence, and "intestinal fortitude" is really tiny -- and it's that combination that has to come together. I'd posit that a lot of guys are curious about wearing skirted garments (desire); have the necessary confidence, even if they may not think so; and may actually have the guts to thumb their noses at societal convention. They just don't have all of those at the same time in combination to actually "put it on" and head out the door. So, it should come as no surprise that you don't see guys in skirts in public.

We shall see. Most likely by the end of the month I will be completely looking forward to shaving my legs, taking a shower, and sliding into what ever "odd" outfit I feel like getting into.

Good luck on that one, Pythos. I suspect that most everybody here will be pulling for you.

[imadube]

I can atest to Pythos' feelings about the forum and trends. I just posted some info and links to a mens style web site in the Advocacy area that seem to be influenced by the Fashion Mass', and promotes the trends. The response I did get seems to want to stay in the Skirt Cafe forum and whip a dead horse.
If sitting in this area alone and discussing your own ideas with only those the feel the same and not reaching out into the places that influence the mass's you are beating a dead horse and preaching to the chior.

[Pythos]

I think I will do something else concerning this.

I am going to keep a log on this thread while I go through this month of borring clothes. Sort of keeping track of the observations I have concerning my friends reactions to my dressing "normally"

It might be enlightening

[Emerald Witch]

I think I will do something else concerning this.

I am going to keep a log on this thread while I go through this month of borring clothes. Sort of keeping track of the observations I have concerning my friends reactions to my dressing "normally"

It might be enlightening

I think that sounds constructive. I've often noted that folks tend to "talk to the clothes" instead of talking to the person inside the clothes.

I, for one, will be very interested to see how your month progresses.

[Peter v]

Hallo all interested, to say "I am the only one, and have all but given up"is understandable, but of course we know that is not meant. We, having made the breakthrough to go where other men don't dare, are enjoying every minute of it, it is part of us. Not Only for us but as an example to be followed when seen by other would be skirt wearers.

Weather or not others follow, we enjoy what we do, and do it for ourselves. If we wpould only do it if others followed, well, that wouldn't take long before it was obvious that that didn't have any effect.

So we should be, are ourselves weather in skirt or by choice, sometimes in p*ants. I would think that the festive month is nearing, although it is winter now here, it is the month to be dressed extra extravagant, with sparkly clothing, festive. With glittery knee highs or tights. ( not for Brave hearts I suppose ) I see so many wonderful skirts and other clothing, and try to invisage how it would look on me, how to get around deep V necklines, etc. Black skirts with golden ( flower) patterns on them.

As my finances are plummeting faster that a sky diver to the ground,
I must be VERY selective, but I do wish to have something very festive for the comming month. As for Pythos, um I don't know how the weather is where he is right now, but here it is dark and gloomy, but we all have a dip now and again, so this might just be his yearly dip, so that when he starts up again, he can appreciate his great taste and style just that much more.

For some of us the comming month is one of much happiness and joy, I can't say that for me, for many years now, the tension around new years eve was extreme. And I can't find much enjoyment in this month. Maybe if there is a new woman in my life, or even a realy good friend, which I think I have never had. That may give me a new lease of life. But that will not stop me from wearing nice skirts and well chosen combinations to make it compleet. I will make do with what I now have, and as I like so many things, styles, colours, the only real thing stopping me from being more assorted, is my financial situation.

So for some like Pythos, they take a pause and just relax a while, and others tak advantage and get extra dresed up. Whatever we do, it is always for ourselves. If there are followers great, if not so be it. Waiting on a trend that we ourselves have to innitiate will never succeed. We ourselves are the trend, if we do nothing, then there is nothing to follow or be a part of.

Peter v.

[Pythos]

Well, the first couple of days of "Borring clothing month" was okay. Had several friends over for a WOW lan party, no notice on their part that I was in baggy sweats and t-shirt.

[cessna152towser]

Having only recently started wearing a plain denim skirt after a few years of kilt wearing I'd say from the total lack of reaction that nobody else is bothered with what you wear though I suspect there are a lot of would be skirt wearers out there who lack the confidence, and the only way they will ever be encouraged is if they see other guys walking around confidently in skirts and getting no hassle. You pick a good time of year for getting back into the trousers though - I haven't worn mine since September (all kilts and skirts, plus a couple of days in shorts while on holiday in October), but I expect my trousers will get plenty of wear during the colder winter weather, when it is really too cold for most of the thinner kilts or for a skirt. I will continue to wear my heavier kilts regularly throughout the winter; I hope you will too.

[Pythos]

I hear all this about the winter months being the time for trousers. But I find that only in the extreme examples this to be true.

I actually find a pair of leggings with either on or two pair of hose (really cold days), work quite well. Long skirts also keep you warm, along with thick tights.

I realize I chose a lousy month for this, but I have started and really am committed, unless as mentioned, if one of my close friends essentially states they miss my style.

You are right in the idea that if more men go out in skirts the more will join in. Remember most people are sheep. I curtail my skirt wearing cause if something concerning my job were to happen I have no backing, if other guys are out in their skirts, I can say, it is a fashion thing that is slowly catching on (and I had a hand at starting it, much better than the baggy trouser thing wouldn't you say?)

[crfriend]

I hear all this about the winter months being the time for trousers. But I find that only in the extreme examples this to be true.

I actually find a pair of leggings with either on or two pair of hose (really cold days), work quite well. Long skirts also keep you warm, along with thick tights.

I'll back that up. In most cases I find I do quite well with simple opaque tights, a slip, and a moderately heavy skirt in the winter. The keys are preventing excessive heat loss up top (that's what hats are for) and staying dry (once you're wet, the game's up no matter what you've got on). Wind can pose a challenge, especially if there's precipitation carried on it or it's just insanely cold; when it gets truly awful, I tend to go with tights under trousers and just try to get through the misery. I absolutely hate being cold.

I realize I chose a lousy month for this, but I have started and really am committed, unless as mentioned, if one of my close friends essentially states they miss my style.

The week of Thanksgiving (late November US holiday) I took a vacation from work and didn't wear trousers for the week. Boy did it feel strange getting back into them the following Monday!

I salute you for your commitment to this, but what happens if your pals just don't notice? Most people don't; that's one reason that guys can get away with wearing skirts and not get challenged for it. Are your friends paying attention?

You are right in the idea that if more men go out in skirts the more will join in. Remember most people are sheep. I curtail my skirt wearing cause if something concerning my job were to happen I have no backing, if other guys are out in their skirts, I can say, it is a fashion thing that is slowly catching on (and I had a hand at starting it, much better than the baggy trouser thing wouldn't you say?)

Like you, I tend to keep my skirt-wearing out of "the office" (my Halloween excursion notwithstanding). This makes some sense to me, and keeps any trouble from brewing at work in the minds of those who can't (or won't) understand that it's only clothing. It also provides a hard, but pleasant, border between "on the clock" and off.

[Pythos]

Day three (?). I notice something while making my way to the vet's office just before work. Not one person out there was wearing a skirt. In fact it was a sea of denim. Tight loose, flared, peg, but all denim. BORING.

I fibbed there was one girl in a black skirt....wearing black baggy khakis under it!!

I know these are people's styles, but damned people get a sense of individuality.

[Pythos]

Day four.

Just work.

At the end of the day I did want to shave my legs because they are really itching, due to the hair growth. The beard is itchy too.

[crfriend]

Just work.

And you get paid for that, too. Grrrrr.

The beard is itchy too.

I've been of the opinion for quite some time now that if a bloke wants to start a beard from scratch he should be allowed -- nay, encouraged -- to take two or three weeks off to disappear into the woods so his compatriots don't have to watch the initial growth. Once fully in, beards can work quite well; it's just the "startup" phase that's nasty. It reminds me of what the hair on my legs used to look like -- patchy and uneven (which is why I shave 'em).

[Pythos]

Day 5.

Nothing really.

I noticed my female roomate's style is really taking a dive, which is sad, concidering she is one I took some idea cues from. Yesterday she was in these ill fitting maroon sweat pants, white socks, black shoes, and grey shirt. You have to understand for her this is awful. Perhaps she has chosen to drab out this month too. I may ask.