Survey for possible new skirt product

[finrod]

I'm looking for feedback on a knee-length skirt I've designed and am hoping to turn into a product. I posted some pictures of an earlier, but nearly identical, iteration here a while ago. If anyone would be willing to complete the following survey, I'd appreciate it very much. It has photos of the skirt, consists of 12 questions (all optional), and is entirely anonymous.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FWKKC5N

I'm only posting the survey on Skirtcafe for now, but if you know of other people who might be interested in giving feedback on this product, please feel free to forward the link.

Thanks!

Edit: Here are the photos from the survey:

[crfriend]

I'm looking for feedback on a knee-length skirt I've designed and am hoping to turn into a product.

As is well known, I wear skirts more often than not, and it's no secret.

My observations on the style pictured on the "SurveyMonkey" site:

1) I find the diagonal seams front and rear distracting and somewhat confusing. That may just be my personal aesthetic, but it's likely a design I would not gravitate toward.

2) I understand the perceived need to construct "masculine" skirts from heavy fabric, but I find that one of the niceties of skirts is that they come in light "floaty" fabrics that are positively delightful in hot weather. With "Climate Change" hard upon us, this could be a selling point.

3) The waist-level pockets might well be useful, but the ones that terminate at the hem could cause problems for the wearer if he was to put anything of any substantial mass in them. I find that the more freedom granted to the skirt to do what it wishes the better for the wearer -- albeit to a point.

4) I find a front fly on a skirt to be pretty much pointless save for getting the thing over the hips. It is just *so* much simpler to lift the hem and let drive when one needs to. With that "problem" solved, I prefer a side-zip so the garment has a cleaner line to it. Rear zips are a pain that most guys would have a hard time dealing with. Elasticised waistbands, of course, do away with that problem and also accommodate the fact that the average bloke's waist can vary a few inches depending on what he's had to eat recently.

[Darryl]

I agree pretty much with crfriend.

1. I prefer seamless, or at least seamless-appearing skirts.
2, I prefer skirts that play 'ruffles & flourishes' against your legs in a breeze.
3. I might like a set of cargo pockets on a skirt that went just a bit below the knees, not on a knee-length or mini.
4. Fly? Who needs a fly? One thumb pulls down, the other hand controls the hose or invert to above the waist...hence clearing for action.

[MrNaturalAZ]

On first glance it is nice looking overall - clean simple design, but I don't really like the diagonal seam in front, the fly, IMHO, is un-needed as well as detracting from the "cleanliness" of the design, and the lower pockets look a bit odd and are too low to be practical. Not just because they'll affect the hang and movement if anything substantial is put in them, but also they seem a bit too low to reach into without bending down while standing. OTOH, they might be much easier to access while sitting, compared to the slash pockets, so perhaps they have some utility after all?

[Sinned]

I pretty much agree with the others. The diagonal seam is distracting and the fly following the same line pointless. The pockets are too low and with anything substantial in them would tend to flatten the skirt against the legs thus negating the A-line profile. Don't like the non-horizontal effect of the top opening on the external pockets either. Like Carl I like floaty skirts sometimes as well for their lightness and aesthetic feel. The length is wrong for me as I prefer them above the knee and the position of the pockets means that it would be difficult to shorten the skirt. Side zip always. All in all not a skirt I would purchase.

[Milfmog]

I completed the survey and then read the comments here; that way my survey contained my responses without a taint from others opinions.

My thoughts were (in no particular order):

Why denim or heavy canvas? Are we not allowed to have comfortable fabrics that move a little instead of hanging like a cardboard lampshade?

I quite like the fly zip and asymmetric seam. I have a similar asymmetric fly on a skirt made by Svenjoyment and love the way it reminds people of "normal men's clothing" without actually conforming to stereotype. The fly does make it easier to put on and remove but, as has been pointed out, has no other purpose on a skirt.

The cargo pockets should be at a height where the wearers finger tip just reach the bottom of the pocket when stood up naturally. Otherwise to get things out may entail bending awkwardly or (worse) lifting the hem.

I quite like cargo pockets for things, like my cell phone, which do not bend well when I sit. However, cargo pockets can sometimes empty themselves when I sit, so I prefer them to have a fastening (flap with button, popper, zip or velcro) for peace of mind.

Skirts made of heavy material with cargo pockets tend not to be very successful to my eyes; the stiffness of the fabric impacts the movement of the skirt and spoils the way it hangs.

Have fun,


Ian.

[Kilted_John]

It looks good, but I would ditch the open cargo pockets and, imho, go to a normal vertical seam. The fact that it's A-line is nice. Like Carl and Darryl, it's not the style I'd wear, since I prefer fuller and lighter-weight skirts (I'm pretty well-versed in being able to control a lightweight skirt when it's breezy, so, don't need the stiff canvas, but can see where it'd be helpful for those just starting out). I'd also like a better color selection. We really don't need to limit ourselves to military and other dull colors, especially since it's ok to wear brighter colors up top and, frequently, trousered clothing for guys can be brightly colored as well. Let the skirts be brightly colored as well.

This is coming from someone who doesn't wear trousered clothing. Got rid of my last pair of shorts in March. If I can avoid it, I won't be buying another pair.

-J

[Couya]

I don't want to appear discouraging, but my reaction when I read about "new designs for men" is "There are a thousand different skirts already available in shops, many of which are sexually neutral. Do we really need anything more?

There's a business in France, Hiatus <http://www.hiatus-shop.com/fr/9-jupes-pour-hommes>,that offers several new designs for men's skirts. They have indeed come up with items that are quite different from what women usually wear and thus have no built-in femininity, but to me they are not attractive or even practical, whereas the "woman's skirts" that I do wear suit me fine (wraps, or zipped at front or side, plain and straight).

Likewise Anderslandinger <http://anderslandinger.com/randshop/> (for those that can afford it!)

It would not surprise me at all to learn that they sell more of their "masculine" skirts to women, who are always on the outlook for something new, than to men.

Martin

[Couya]

On another thread, there was a mention of needing something long enough to sit on, rather than having bare skin touching the seat.

This made me think there is after all a need for a new design; a short skirt ('cause I like them short) with enough spare material somewhere that can drop down behind to keep the flesh off the seat, or even in front to hide whatever you think needs to remain private.

My usually fruitful imagination has not come up with anything that would also be within reach of my decidedly limited sewing skills, but I intend to have a go.

Martin

[skirtyscot]

I'd be quite happy with the slanting zip: why not have it at an angle?

The heavy fabric and drab shades wouldn't bother me either, though if you were making to order you would be better to offer brighter colours as well.

The cargo pockets appear to be too low: you'd have to bend awkwardly to one side to reach them. They should be higher up, and larger, and the should have something to keep them shut.

Overall it is OK, but not different enough from skirts already available (marketed at women) to make me pay the higher price which you would no doubt have to charge.

[r.m.anderson]

With NO apologies - not my cup of tea !
I don't wear skirts or kilts at knee length - mid thigh is my zone.
Canvas or pre gold rush denim is not in my closet.
Pockets who needs them - a shoulder or bum bag works for me.
Crazy diagonal lines and useless fly closing destroy the simplicity of a skirt.

Really turned off by the detailed survey.
Ambiguous questions best answered with "PREFER NOT TO ANSWER"!
So I did not participate in the survey.

[Kirbstone]

The skirt is covered in the important waistband area by the T-shirt, so it's not possible to assess the detail in that all-important area. The length & shape are OK for me. I'd like brighter colours, lighter material and no diagonal detail nonsense.

The cargo pockets way down at the hem are a no-no. I do like slash pockets though, also a proper fly closure.

Tom

[skirtilator]

Hiatus and Anders Landinger offer boring and overpriced designs. If I'd willing to pay that amount of money it should better be something special. Midas Clothing is a bit more interesting in that perspective - ... cuz they ain't that expensive. I'd pay €40.00 - €70.00 for this skirt if it would have an elastic waistband with drawstring, slash pockets and would be made of shiny latex. Oh and satin lining would be nice, too.

[Big and Bashful]

I think it is not bad, but I agree about the squinty seams and fly as well as the cargo pockets. Given the choice of that design or a Midas cargo, I would go with the Midas option. I hope they get their website etc. sorted out, I am going to need more cargo skirts before too long and would like to do business with them again, it was so easy to get custom length cargo skirts off them.

[skirtilator]

I think it is not bad, but I agree about the squinty seams and fly as well as the cargo pockets. Given the choice of that design or a Midas cargo, I would go with the Midas option. I hope they get their website etc. sorted out, I am going to need more cargo skirts before too long and would like to do business with them again, it was so easy to get custom length cargo skirts off them.

Yeah man, I got the feeling they are just scraping by. There ain't enough real man out there supported by real women in wearing real man's clothing. Their strenghts is customized clothing for real man.