Do folks notice or not?

[skirtyscot]

I bet some of the adults noticed as well, but children make no attempt to suppress their reactions. I love it when some 5-year old stares at you, open-mouthed with awe, unable to grasp the notion that a man might wear a skirt. Just goes to show how early our society's norms are engrained in everyone's minds.

[allen476]

I don't think that it is societal norms but rather on how it is presented.

Let's say that you go out and about in a denim knee length cargo skirt, a pair of new sneakers, a t-shirt, and a fleece. No one is really going to notice as they perceive the skirt as shorts. Even if they did notice that it was a skirt, I doubt much would be said as the look would be "masculine" enough that the person wouldn't judge you.

But if you go out in almost the same outfit, but instead wearing what one would consider a "feminine" skirt (floral print, or fabric in which it would be considered feminine) then the perception changes. What would add to it is if you wore tights or leggings with it.

So if we really want to change the public view on men in skirts, shouldn't we first present that a skirt could be masculine? If we really want to be able to wear what we want, shouldn't we change the idea slowly?

[crfriend]

So if we really want to change the public view on men in skirts, shouldn't we first present that a skirt could be masculine? If we really want to be able to wear what we want, shouldn't we change the idea slowly?

My experience seems to indicate that the demeanour and bearing of the individual wearing the skirt counts for vastly more than the "masculinity" of the skirt.

Personally I eschew denim; to wit, I detest the stuff, and hence do not have so much as a single skirt constructed from the stuff. What I have for skirts range from a few fairly simple cotton tiered ones, a few velvet ones, and some silk ones. I also have a long tafetta skirt and another very long satin pleated one. One long one I have sports an abstract floral-like design on it, and another cotton one has a muted floral pattern, and I usually wear all of them with some form of legwear. The fact that I'm 6'4" tall and have a big bushy beard leaves little room for mistaken identity, and my overall appearance is still thoroughly masculine.

I think that so long as what we clothe ourselves is believeable to an onlooker we can fairly safely push boundaries; however, I also believe that there is a tipping point beyond which we would be unwise to go, and that point will, of necessity, vary from person to person, location to location, and observer to observer -- and it's the last one that is beyond our control. All we can hope to do is leave a favourable impression.

[skirted_in_SF]

deleted comment someone else had already made.

[skirted_in_SF]

The one adult that noticed commented that the skirt I had on looked like it was made for a man.

Sounds like you found someone who has already gotten their head around the concept.

[skirtingtheissue]

So if we really want to change the public view on men in skirts, shouldn't we first present that a skirt could be masculine? If we really want to be able to wear what we want, shouldn't we change the idea slowly?

This creates a personal conflict in me. I agree with you in principal, yet the urge to wear a more feminine skirt is very strong and sometimes irresistible.

I think that so long as what we clothe ourselves is believeable to an onlooker we can fairly safely push boundaries; however, I also believe that there is a tipping point beyond which we would be unwise to go, and that point will, of necessity, vary from person to person, location to location, and observer to observer -- and it's the last one that is beyond our control. All we can hope to do is leave a favourable impression.

Very wisely stated. Too outlandish and radical behavior will not effectively advance the skirt movement. Though the observers' observations are mostly beyond our control, we can have a little control by choosing the location where certain kinds of observers will or won't be.

Have you ever suddenly realized you had gone beyond a tipping point?

[crfriend]

Have you ever suddenly realized you had gone beyond a tipping point?

For me, in public, that's difficult because I've chosen my "outdoor" styles carefully and thoughtfully with an eye to it being almost impossible to hit my tipping point.

I have hit it in private in experiments and the result looking back at me from a mirror is rather jarring. If one is shaken by what one sees in a mirror, that's a sure sign that a certain point has been reached or exceeded.

[ethelthefrog]

I was out in my home-made box-pleat skirt a couple of weeks ago (see pics-and-looks), in the pub (again), and I noticed my very first odd look. I am assured that it is far from the first I've generated, but I tend to live with my head in the clouds.

I'm pretty sure people notice, but most of us cafe patrons tend to live in places where people are reluctant to bring up topics like that...


Paul.

[Tackleberry]

Well last night one of my neighbours saw me in a skirt, not sure if she released it was a skirt........
Also in a pizza shop a few nights ago the staff there never gave any indication they noticed either!
However as I need to go to Tescos later, I will be wearing my new denim skirt so I'll see how I get on then

[SteveB]

In the land of notice, here in Boston, Massachusetts.

Most of the younger set do not care what one wears. The acceptance of teens to everything from baggy dropping off the butt jeans to tight skinny jeans on their own friends, as well as a few sporting skirts or dresses as they so choose has made the attire a non-issue. The only time I have heard anything negative, it has been from a well pissed adult with the "nice skirt" comment said in a less than friendly tone. My reaction has always been to pleasantly comment on their attire.
I have received an occasional question about my health from friends when I have been out in trousers. i am always wearing a kilt or a skirt, and on some occasions a dress. Never an adverse comment on the "T" (Tube) or bus lines. I do get an occasional thumbs up, or "awesome" comment from the teenagers.

The reaction has only been positive from the parents of the students in my classroom.

I also am a poll worker for the elections. Of the five women and three men, I am the only one wearing a skirt. It does not draw much reaction. I have been wearing kilts and skirts for over six decades. At just shy of two meters and 90+ kilograms, there is no mistaking my masculinity.

This is a very diverse community. Men here do wear costume of their native land, including Pereos, Caftans, Sarongs, etc. We all just fit in together.

Cheers

[skirtyscot]

Well a bunch of people noticed me skirted in the supermarket today. Two young guys at the next checkout to mine, and two young women sitting waiting for someone (not the guys, it seemed) just beyond the checkout. The girls reacted first to my denim mini and navy tights (as seen on page 3 of my pics thread), though the guys must already have noticed, as the three of us had been the only people at the beer corner a couple of minutes earlier. Anyway, by the time we had all been through the checkouts and were heading for the exits, none of the others could keep a straight face, and neither could the checkout girls. I gave one of the young ladies a smile as I passed. I was enjoying all the attention and glad to brighten up their day! Nobody said anything to me about my outfit, which was a bit of a shame, but as I've commented before, Scotland is the home of reticence.

[Sinned]

Well, I put my proverbial foot in it tonight. My wife is only ok with me wearing skirts around the house although I would be comfortable wearing them outside. I am not to be seen outside in a skirt otherwise everyone would know how strange I am. To tell my story briefly and missing out some things - my granddaughter was staying with us tonight and she had to go home to get something. She only lives a few minutes' walk away. Our front door sometimes sticks and I heard the front door bell. Expecting her back I answered the door wearing a golden yellow Ben Sherman shirt, pale yellow cotton skirt and dark coloured tights. Nothing I could do really as there were some friends of ours from down the road who hadn't a clue. Fortunately the light outside our front door was switched off but it couldn't disguise the fact that I was wearing a skirt. All I could do was take a deep breath, act confidently and normally and chat to them as I would if I was wearing trousers. They took it in their stride and chatted normally and thankfully didn't say anything. I can only confess the next time I see them. Of course I got the second degree about everyone knowing now. I thought that she would be more upset than she was but she soon calmed down and we are are currently watching the film "Furry Vengance" and having a right good laugh. I didn't do it on purpose as I was so comfortable that I had forgotten that I had a skirt on when I answered the door. I'll let you know the sunsequent outcome of this.

Sinned

[skirtyscot]

Excellent, Sinned. The only way is up! The next time they see you skirted, they won't be so surprised!

If they are anything like the many friends who have seen me skirted, they will not mention it to Mrs Sinned. The list of folk in West Kilbride who have seen me in a skirt gets longer and longer, but nobody has ever mentioned it to Mrs Skirtyscot.

If you're lucky, Mrs Sinned will notice that the sky did not fall in when your friends saw you in a skirt, and she will relax a bit about it. But I wouldn't bet on it, judging by my own experience.

Surely when you say "confess" you mean "explain".

[Sinned]

Hi skirtyscot,

Thanks for your reply, it does my confidence wonders to know that I have support out there.

Well things are going along as normal. She hasn't mentioned anything about it since but yes I take your meaning that silence doesn't necessarily mean acceptance. And yes I meant confess in it's informal meaning of explain rather than its more usual meaning of confessing a sin or a crime. I have over 50 skirts, most of them really nice and in lots of colours, lengths and materials (only one or two could be considered feminine), garnered over the period of a year on ebay and shop sales. I have not paid more than £5 for anything including postage so it's not necessary to spend big money on them. I get frustrated that my wife says I look really good in them yet I can't yet wear them out of the house but I am moving slowly and cautiously. As they say, baby steps, baby steps.

Sinned

[couyalair]

So your wife thinks you look good in a skirt but won't let you out of the house. I think she is just afraid of losing you.
You'll have to take her out elegantly skirted and prove to her that she gets more of your attention than anyone else.

Martin