Sightings "in the wild"

[Potbelly MacKraken]

Took my dog to the beach to ball with her the other day in one of my tartan lavalavas, and as I was walking back to the car I saw a man with his wife walking out to the beach in the sand, the man wearing a black, knit maxi skirt, and shirtless. He was too far away to meet eyes and compliment each other on our skirts; I tried several times, but he seems to have not noticed my skirt. The beach was Grande Avenue Beach, near Pismo Beach in CA. Did this individual happen to be anyone on this forum that was visiting Pismo area recently? This was just last week...too bad we couldn'ta talked.

[Darryl]

Last Wednesday I was paying a bill at the Water Company and noticed a guy in what I thought were baggy brown pants about 9 persons in front of me. Never could get a definitive view until he was called up to t he counter. Whoah! Brown maxi-skirt with a zippered black jacket and a matching sash over one shoulder. Tall black gentleman, don't know if it was an African style or something more generic. I was in a black knee-length panel skirt but he never had occasion to turn and see me. It's rather a tight, narrow space we're lined up in. Hadn't yet replaced my dropped phone, but if he's there again I'll try to get a shot.

[pelmut]

I went to a folk dance near Oxford [UK] last night; before the dance started I noticed that one of the dancers was wearing a Utilikilt and I had a brief chat with him. When he later took off his pullover to join in the dancing, I noticed that he was wearing a women's top with a very striking diagonal black and white pattern. Nobody seemed the least bit bothered by that or by my own long black skirt.

[partlyscot]

I had heard from co-workers who had more time with the company of the guy that "used to work in a sarong" yesterday I met him. Actually, I had met him before and discussed his current fashion of Kurtas, without realising his connection. He was again wearing a kurta, with typical loose pants, a woollen knitted hat, (not quite a toque, had a bit of a middle eastern vibe more in line with the clothing) and a down jacket. It's below freezing here at the moment. Amongst other things we discussed, was the fact that hardly anybody ever says anything. I get looks all the time, but if I get questions, it's once a week at most, more like once a month. The good thing is that those that do comment are always extremely approving and supportive. I am always hearing people say that I am the guy to talk to in my department, because of my level of knowledge and helpfulness, it hasn't happened yet, but I look forward to the day someone comes up and says, "You must be the guy to talk to, my friend said I should find the guy in the skirt"

[NH Dan]

Just got back from South Park Mall in Charlotte, NC., my daughter calls it the rich people mall. Saw going into Neiman Marcus an approximately 50 year old man wearing a nice skirt. He was moving too fast for me to congratulate him or to ask for his picture. Pointed him out to my wife and she said that she was surprised and I replied that he was walking like he was owning it and should be congratulated.

[STEVIE]

Aberdeen, Upper Kirkgate, at 8:30 this morning.
I passed a man, smartly dressed in very thick tights or leggings, not sure which. I have no clue as to the rest of the ensemble due to a longish coat.
He appeared to be totally preoccupied on his phone and we didn't even make eye contact.
Steve.

[ChrisM]

Now that lectures are over I wore a skirt to school. While there one of my administrators (female) complimented it. I thanked her, and then said "Now that lectures are over I can wear what I want. I try not to wear skirts around the students." (My reasoning is that it would distract them, and I want them thinking about my lecture, not my legs.)

Her reaction was perfect: Her immediate response was "Why should it be any business of their's what you wear? It's nobody's business but your own."

[STEVIE]

Hi Chris M,
Yeah that's a win from a colleague and that's certainly not to be undervalued!
In your caution around the student body, you are absolutely correct. They are your job, career, product or whatever!
I'd love to be able to say that it really is none of their business how you dress but we know different.
In teaching these kids, a lot of "you", is their business. Add their dear parents for a further complication.
Anything that gets in the way of your effectiveness as a teacher must take second place unless you are extremely sure of your position.
I wish absolutely that I could foresee a world where this kind of pessimism was not necessary!
Good Luck!
Steve.

[dillon]

Don't you wish everyone was that open-minded? Of course you have to ask yourself if someone actually believes what she/he says or if she/he is just trying to be as accepting as they feel they should be. If we could read minds...

[Caultron]

Now that lectures are over I wore a skirt to school...

The term, "lectures," leads me to suspect we're talking about college/university students. Is that right? Because if so, I'd think you'd have a lot more freedom than if it were elementary or secondary school...

[ChrisM]

Thanks Stevie for those confirmatory remarks!

Caultron: Yes, correct inference: I am a lecturer in Applied Science at the University of British Columbia.

Chris

[jeffreyrichards2015]

ChrisM - just keep on wearing for the new term. I work in a UK University and have been wearing skirts everyday there for the last 3 months. Nobody cares! Just do it..
Have fun.

[Caultron]

Thanks Stevie for those confirmatory remarks!

Caultron: Yes, correct inference: I am a lecturer in Applied Science at the University of British Columbia.

Chris

Perhaps a lab coat, then, with dark matching skirt, tights, and shoes. The lab coat would ease the transition into the hem.

While I'm not familiar at all with UBC or its mindset, in general, eccentric professors are common fixtures in university life .

[Bamaskirting]

i live in Mobile, Alabama. i have never seen anyone in a skirt or kilt. Once in Walmart, I seen a goth guy dressed in a long black dress. I thought it odd but cool. never seeing anyone is why I was super apprehensive about going out.

[Caultron]

In Phoenix, AZ I see another guy in a skirt or kilt about once every two months, which isn't a lot, but helps.

But even so, I know that out of 4.5 million residents in the greater Phoenix area, on any given day, I may be the only guy wearing a skirt or kilt in public. But no one objects either, so why worry about it? If you can't be yourself, who can you be?

And I still get way more positive reactions than negative.