Anyone wear a formal, floor length skirt?

[barefoot_kevin]

My mother just recently passed away, and among her things is a beautiful floor length (42 inch from waist to hem) formal black skirt that fits me perfectly and just barely covers my toes (I can wear it barefoot without it dragging the ground). The folks at church are used to seeing me in a skirt or a kilt, and I was planning on wearing my formal 8 yard Campbell for the Christmas program this year like I always do, but this is just so nice, and it will go well with several items in my closet (white shirt & waistcoat (Prince Charlie), I even have some sweaters that would go very nice with it). Has anyone here explored wearing a skirt formally? Got any pointers?

[crfriend]

My mother just recently passed away, and among her things is a beautiful floor length (42 inch from waist to hem) formal black skirt that fits me perfectly and just barely covers my toes (I can wear it barefoot without it dragging the ground). The folks at church are used to seeing me in a skirt or a kilt, and I was planning on wearing my formal 8 yard Campbell for the Christmas program this year like I always do, but this is just so nice, and it will go well with several items in my closet (white shirt & waistcoat (Prince Charlie), I even have some sweaters that would go very nice with it). Has anyone here explored wearing a skirt formally? Got any pointers?

I'm sorry about your recent loss, Kevin.

I wear long skirts fairly often, mainly ranging from mid-to-lower calf to ankle-length. I do have one "floor sweeper" -- a 44" maxi that is among the most amazing skirts I've ever worn -- and a couple of 43s that are fantastic knock-about skirts.

Wearing really long ones takes practice, and you're going to find that for quite a while you're stepping on the hem, closing it in doors, knocking things over with it, rolling office-chairs over it, and the list goes on and on.

Generally speaking, I tend to hold back my 44-incher for affairs where some level of formality is required. The last time I wore it was at the memorial service for a friend of Sapphire's and mine. The rest of the rig was my fancy velvet-trimmed waistcoat and one or the other of my frilled white shirts.

It sounds like yours should go well with your Prince Charlie jacket. Pair it up and have somebody take a photo of the result (photographs don't lie to us the way that mirrors do) and take a good hard look to see how the overall effect might work or be improved upon.

Welcome to the wonderful world of long!

[Stevie D]

I regularly wear a black ankle-length skirt when playing in concerts with my orchestra (Sheffield Chamber Orchestra). It's now many years since I gave up wearing the standard mens' DJ (tux) with white shirt and black bow-tie. I always hated it for being so constrictive. Wearing a long black formal skirt (usually either linen or fine wool, sometimes black silk) together with a loose black top is far more comfortable.

[JohnH]

If you are an instrumentalist you are free to wear clothes typically worn by women performers. However, if you are in a choir you are expected to wear the clothes that is imposed on the section. I sing bass so I would be locked into the typical tux outfit - ugh! However, I would still be free to have long hair, wear light makeup, and maybe wear heels.

John

[rick401r]

I have 2 floor length casual crinkly skirts and one formal black heavy satin skirt. The black one came from David's Bridal Shop. I got all 3 at a thrift shop. The only problems I've encountered are walking up stairs and getting the hem caught under the casters of my desk chair.

[barefoot_kevin]

If you are an instrumentalist you are free to wear clothes typically worn by women performers. However, if you are in a choir you are expected to wear the clothes that is imposed on the section. I sing bass so I would be locked into the typical tux outfit - ugh! However, I would still be free to have long hair, wear light makeup, and maybe wear heels.

John

I too am a vocalist, also a bass in this context, but actually a classically trained baritone. The women in our choir usually wear a long black skirt or dress, most with a splash of color somewhere in their outfit. The men usually wear dark suits with very little color. Soloists are usually granted some latitude in costume, hence my ability to wear the Campbell for the last several years. This year I have two solo's, César Franck's "Panis Angelicus", which was re-orchestrated for me specifically, and Johann Sebastian Bach's "Quia fecit mihi magna" which is a baritone aria. I feel that the formality of the long skirt with the Prince Charlie would be more appropriate than the kilt in both of these cases.

[Kirbstone]

Bf-K,
Lovely that you croak Classical. I can't get down there, so I squeak 1st Tenor, mostly. We male high-note hitters are in demand in choirs &c. so I get to sing with three different groupings in my area.
When you say they re-orchestrated the Panis Angelicus for you, was that a change in key signature?....and are these solos for a Church service or a concert? Nuff questions.
I'm afraid I'm not nearly brave enough to dare bending the strict dress codes here. My disapproving wife also buries herself among the sopranos in two of these groups, but sees All !

I blow various whistles (mostly American Suzato) in a large Irish trad. group, also occasionally thump church organ on odd Sundays. Right now I've started preparing for our local U3A Christmas party, for which I have to be the pianist/accompanist/ musical entertainment organiser. As a little spot I'm working on an original Leroy Anderson version of his 'Sleigh Ride'. All FUN!

Tom

[JohnH]

I neglected to mention that I specifically sing second bass and can reach down to Bb below the bass staff (Bb1).

I was one of two second basses in a community choir about three years ago. I had hair hanging past my shoulders and interestingly enough the other second bass was a bald as a billiard ball. Interestingly enough his first name was also John. There was an ad-lib note that I sang an octave below than written so it was C# below the bass staff (C#2) and it was approved by the director. I was the only person to hit that note.

Now of all people, I had better wear the clothing prescribed for men. If I were a countertenor singing in the alto section I might be able to get around having to wear the dreaded tux - I think if I were a countertenor I would have worn the black gown with a pearl necklace.

John

[dillon]

I have a ruched navy blue long skirt by XCVI. Not sure it qualifies as formal, but the closest i have. The waist is too big so I have to take it in with safety pins. I wear it out around the Christmas season.

[barefoot_kevin]

Bf-K,
When you say they re-orchestrated the Panis Angelicus for you, was that a change in key signature?....and are these solos for a Church service or a concert? Nuff questions.
Tom

Tom,

Basically it was a key change to D, but our director (an extremely talented young man of 26) has re-orchestrated the accompaniment to include some non-traditional instruments. I have yet to practice this arrangement other than at home with my wife on the piano (I am extremely challenged instrumentally). This is for our annual Church Christmas concert, which will run 4 nights (on consecutive weekends) to accommodate the attendance.

I neglected to mention that I specifically sing second bass and can reach down to Bb below the bass staff.

Now of all people, I had better wear the clothing prescribed for men. If I were a countertenor singing in the alto section I might be able to get around having to wear the dreaded tux - I think if I were a countertenor I would have worn the black gown with a pearl necklace.

John

John,

Normally I can comfortably hit an E2, and occassionally I have hit the C2 (usually only after a "Russian Communion" of cigarettes and vodka), but I have paid for it later. I have also sung 1st tenor in the past, and have reached a C5, but not very often anymore.

Most recently I have sung with the Virginia Symphony Chorus (under JoAnn Falletta), and with the Kiev (Ukraine) Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (under Matt McMurrin), but have not sung professionally in about 5 years, with the exception of my current work with a barbershop quartet.

Last night at rehearsal our director laid down the dress code. Guess I'll be in a tux. No exceptions. Good thing mine still fits. Guess that simplifies it.

[JohnH]

Kevin,

Kevin, I really appreciate your going into details with your voice pitch.

My choice of poison has been the American Communion (a cigar and bourbon) and then I may be able to reach G1. But, oh, do I pay the price as you say.

After my voice change around 13 my range in my early teens was E2 up to G4. So I always sang bass from the very beginning.

John

[barefoot_kevin]

Kevin,

Kevin, I really appreciate your going into details with your voice pitch.

My choice of poison has been the American Communion (a cigar and bourbon) and then I may be able to reach G1. But, oh, do I pay the price as you say.

After my voice change around 13 my range in my early teens was E2 up to G4. So I always sang bass from the very beginning.

John

Normally I'm a single malt (mostly Islay Scotches) and cigar guy, but when in Rome....

It's kinda funny, I still sing with guys that remember me as a first tenor. They blame the vodka.

[JohnH]

It's normal for voices, especially male voices to get deeper with age. Most basso profundos are at least 40 years of age. I did not reach the ability to sing at the extreme deep range until I was in my 50's.

John

[barefoot_kevin]

It's normal for voices, especially male voices to get deeper with age. Most basso profundos are at least 40 years of age. I did not reach the ability to sing at the extreme deep range until I was in my 50's.

John

I've been a baritone since my late teens, and have been blessed with a good range all my life. It has only been within the last 5 years or so that I have not been able to reach the higher tenor notes. I just recently turned 58.

[Kirbstone]

Kevin,
Great that your wife can accompany you on piano. That's a wonderful advantage for practice. My dearly beloved, being not primarily musical plays no instrument so my home practice is always solo. (all our musical progeny live abroad, alas).

I adore barbershop and all Adeline harmonies and usually squeak the top line for those.

As for Dress code I'd recommend you wear formal shiny black shoes with your Tux & not go barefoot

Btw...All the Islay Malts taste like medicine. Try something more conventional, like Dalwinney, Oban or Tallisker.

Tom