Skirt wearing in 2015

[jeanfor]

I started to wear kilts and skirt in 2010. I can say that in 5 years things have changed for the best. What do you guys think?

[skirted_in_SF]

Heck, things have gotten better in the last two weeks. I've been at different venues in Golden Gate Park in a skirt each of the last two Sundays.
Knee length skirt at the Arboretum on a rare warm day last week and an ankle length skirt with wind fighting underskirt at the deYoung museum yesterday. Typical mid 60sF with 15 mph ocean breeze yesterday.

[crfriend]

I've been wearing skirts since 2004 or so, and it has definitely gotten "easier". I'm not sure whether this is down to my own sense of confidence and happiness with my chosen styles or whether "society" (or what passes for in these here parts) has "lightened up a bit". What I do know is that financially, things are a lot harder now, and most folks are much more nervous -- and focused -- on their own futures, so that may be a contributor to the general public "keeping its head down". Certainly the average individual is vastly more worried about his own station than he was a decade ago, and that'll server as a powerful distraction from what other folks in the vicinity happen to be wearing.

[Big and Bashful]

After giving my "new" kilt a wearing at the weekend, I headed for Glasgow to shop and organise a P.A. for an upcoming gig. I paid a visit to my favourite Clydebank burger van, while walking to the van, a hi-viz workman type shouted something like "Nice one mate, got one like that at home, in tartan!". I was wearing my favourite, an ankle length cargo skirt in denim from Midas. Another positive encounter!

[Caultron]

I'm not sure if it's a matter of my self-confidence or of general social acceptance but yes, things have gotten easier.

Acceptance of gays, transgenders, makeup, tights and other off-mainstream persuasions has also increased. I think it's an overall matter of openness and individual rights, though, and not of progress in one area feeding off others. It's like one big trend and not a hierarchical network of small ones.

Here in Arizona I see about one other skirted guy a month, and that's more than I noticed five years ago. Of course it's possible they were around five years ago and I just didn't notice them, but I don't think so.

[Caultron]

...a hi-viz workman type shouted something like "Nice one mate, got one like that at home, in tartan!"...

I'm sure not related, but lately I've gotten a few similar comments too. One woman told me her father had owned a couple of kilts and wore them on suitable occasions. And several men have remarked along the lines of, "Nice kilt, I've got one at home."

When someone does mention having a kilt at home, I usually ask them how much they wear it, and the usual response is only for some special occasion. I do encourage them to wear it more often, though.

[melsav]

I have 3 cargo kilts that I made myself and wear then 2 or 3 times a week when I walk the 2 kms into my new adopted town of Scottburgh KZN. No bad comments just 1 or 2 nice kilts, where did you get It? Love my kilts. Even the wife go's out with me sometimes.

[Big and Bashful]

I have 3 cargo kilts that I made myself and wear then 2 or 3 times a week when I walk the 2 kms into my new adopted town of Scottburgh KZN. No bad comments just 1 or 2 nice kilts, where did you get It? Love my kilts. Even the wife go's out with me sometimes.

Excellent! Wish I had the skills to build skirts. Maybe one day I will give it a go.

[dillon]

I would echo what Caultron said. For me it seems easier now. I have been experimenting with skirts for seven years, but wearing them out in public frequently now for the last three years. I think social attitudes have changed a lot in the past year or two, but I am still the exception, not the rule. I never see skirted men, and only rarely a kilted one.

[TheSkirtedMan]

I do think men in skirts has changed for the better over the last 4 years or so I have been active on the subject standing up for men in skirts. Certainly on the internet there is much less chatter on it with regards discussing the subject via blogs. I cannot find anywhere near as many blogs as there was in 2011/12 when I put up many comments supporting men in skirts. Unlike when I moved onto Twitter in 2013 I do not find as many negative or positive tweets to respond to. There are still some there to respond to and a few that are best ignored but in 2015 my direct input to support men in skirts has dried up quite a bit. My web site during winter months still hits over 2000 viewings a month, 16% of which spend time on it and a good 60% are returning viewers most of these will be potential spammers but my site is locked down but still many returning will be genuine. My Stats show first time visitors as well as returning is around 40% new. In the summer months the percentages are about the same but total viewings drop to around 1500.

In the real world the number of men who wear skirts are still in the minority but my wife and I see such men on our travels, sadly not in a position to actually speak to them. Pre 2010 we never saw one. Often on Twitter sightings of such men are mentioned and yes at times to ridicule but although I do not monitor, reported sightings via Twitter is more than it was when I joined.

The fact that I go every where in a skirt where wearing one is practical to do so, for me only my self employment, serious DIY and most countryside walking are the exceptions and get accepted is a good sign. Even visiting churches for weddings, funerals and as a tourist is not questioned. I find many are accepting and talkative towards me. Society generally in most western countries has relaxed on its attitudes like LGBT, same sex marriage, etc and I'm sure that atmosphere has relaxed with regards men in skirts because of it even though such men did not have the problems as LGBT etc.

It has a long way to go but I do firmly believe the fore runners of the few men in skirts are now in the many thousands around the world many keeping away from social media but nevertheless it is a large snowball that is now moving down hill. I doubt men in skirts will become a majority or even 50/50 within the male gender and I accept many men will always question men in skirts but I do believe society is much more tolerant and accepting in many sectors but I can think of one or two I would always avoid"!

[OldSkirt]

I used to wear skirts openly. Not any more though. And rarely in private now either.

Why? Social exclusion, prejudice, abuse.

From whom? "Friends", "family" and eventually "the establishment".

Net result. Not something I'll ever discuss here, or anywhere else for that matter, either in the public domain or private.

[Darryl]

Well, in early 2014 I'd spoken with a friend, Polly, about getting a kilt suit and learning the pipes. Every time I said 'kilt' she muttered 'skirt.'

Well, I got to thinking and a couple days later went to Lane Bryant and asked "what would fit me and look reasonable? Wore them out and about, was seen by friends here and there, only one of whom asked about it in a roundabout way. So. A few months later I find Stillwater Kilts and get a couple budget kilts and then a couple mid-range kilts and started wearing them everywhere. More acceptable, many more ladies would not only smile but initiate a conversation and significantly more when I was with a lady friend. Guys didn't seem to react, though one of the first guys passed by fairly closely and checked out the sporran, belt, etc. and gave me a thumbs-up.

Still...kilts are a pain when sitting down, if you don't 'scoop and swoop' just right you're not sitting on the pleats as you should. Most especially when getting into the car. So a lot of times I'll just go with the plain skirt for running about, shopping, etc.

[partlyscot]

I used to wear skirts openly. Not any more though. And rarely in private now either.

Why? Social exclusion, prejudice, abuse.

From whom? "Friends", "family" and eventually "the establishment".

Net result. Not something I'll ever discuss here, or anywhere else for that matter, either in the public domain or private.

Sorry to hear that, can I ask where you live?

For myself, I've been wearing skirts pretty much full time for about 3 months, even at work, in a retail environment. I have had only a couple of negative responses, one customer who sort of shuffled off while refusing to look at me, he was older gent, and gave the impression of being very old fashioned. One of my co-workers seemed at first to be somewhat upset in some way, it seemed to be mostly that it wasn't a kilt. Saw him a few days ago and he seemed much more his usual self. Yesterday I caught a comment from a guy walking behind me on the street. "Did you just get married?" and "do you know you're wearing a skirt?" We had a sort of abbreviated chat, but he was drunk and not making a lot of sense. I've had a lot more positive comments, and a few conversations. What the majority actually think about I don't know, they could be sniggering in their beer for all I know. As long as my partner is OK with it, and the bosses don't mind, they can think what they want.

[dillon]

I used to wear skirts openly. Not any more though. And rarely in private now either.

Why? Social exclusion, prejudice, abuse.

From whom? "Friends", "family" and eventually "the establishment".

Net result. Not something I'll ever discuss here, or anywhere else for that matter, either in the public domain or private.

Oldskirt, if you aren't secure discussing the matter in this forum, then it may be difficult to find a place to do so with empathy and support. I hope you can find an outlet for your distress before it manifests itself in your health. Sorry to hear that things have not gone well.

[skirtyscot]

Aww, Oldskirt, you're giving us just half the story. That's not fair! If you do want to open up, then you'll get a fairer hearing here than anywhere else.