How to normalise skirts for men: proactively reduce the barrier to entry

[Grok]

Mens shirts these days have a rather simple design language. Perhaps there are things to learn from the past, before the Great Renunciation? Not just color, but also details/embellishments? Even modest variations could make our wardrobes a bit more interesting.

[robehickman]

Mens shirts these days have a rather simple design language. Perhaps there are things to learn from the past, before the Great Renunciation? Not just color, but also details/embellishments? Even modest variations could make our wardrobes a bit more interesting.

Also having more detail in top garments would make them pair better with skirts, its common to get a hard style clash between the extreme 'minimalism' of menswear tops, and skirts which are pretty inherently ruffly. Pairing a ghillie shirt, pirate shirt, or poet shirt can often look more natural. There are many other details in historic menswear as well as current womanswear that could be adopted.

[Coder]

Also having more detail in top garments would make them pair better with skirts, its common to get a hard style clash between the extreme 'minimalism' of menswear tops, and skirts which are pretty inherently ruffly. Pairing a ghillie shirt, pirate shirt, or poet shirt can often look more natural. There are many other details in historic menswear as well as current womanswear that could be adopted.

I've often worried about tops that were too, well, puffy as I didn't want to look like a pirate/ren faire cosplayer. But at the same time, they do work with skirts (referring to men's shirts of this ilk), and women routinely wear those styles or styles adjacent to them - and I've never heard any "complaints" regarding them.

[Grok]

As has been mentioned before, the 1970s saw a bit of experimentation with mens clothes. Consider shirts.

[Grok]

Consider the use of color and patterns in mens socks.

[jamie001]

Consider the use of color and patterns in mens socks.

This will never happen. Men’s socks have been relegated to drab utilitarian looks since the Great Male Renunciation. If they need larger colorful socks, they can purchase from stores that offer big and tall women fashion.

[Mouse]

Consider the use of color and patterns in mens socks.

This will never happen. Men’s socks have been relegated to drab utilitarian looks since the Great Male Renunciation. If they need larger colorful socks, they can purchase from stores that offer big and tall women fashion.

I think socks fall into the man box marked "acceptable personal expression". Also in the same box are ties and a small number of waist coats.

Personally, I hate socks and one of the joys of wearing skirts, has been the wide choice of hosiery available to make your legs look good.

[Grok]

I think socks fall into the man box marked "acceptable personal expression". Also in the same box are ties and a small number of waist coats.

Yes, mens suits give little latitude for personal expression, with the listed items being exceptions.

Lapel pins offer another sort of expression, that of affiliation.

[Barleymower]

I agree with Mouse that socks are allowable forms of self expression, in our country at least. I got a bright pair of fried egg socks for Christmas. Colourful socks are quite common place.
I think if skirts for men became common place here, then tarten would be the number one choice, followed by plain wrap skirts. This a real pity becuase I love bright and colourful skirts.

[Mouse]

I think if skirts for men became common place here, then tarten would be the number one choice, followed by plain wrap skirts. This a real pity becuase I love bright and colourful skirts.

I sometimes wonder if we are in the best times to be a man in skirt, where there are no agreed rules and we can wear whatever skirt we like. In a world where skirts were common on men, you might end up limited to a set of man skins and tartan kilts. A bit like if you compare what trousers are available for women and the set available for men now.

[Kay]

Personally, I hate socks and one of the joys of wearing skirts, has been the wide choice of hosiery available to make your legs look good.

I think my legs only look good in socks. I have thigh high socks that goes all the way up that they look like stockings or tights. Only downside is they tend to ride down, which can be solved by cutting off the foot and exposing the toes so it doesn't get pulled down.

[Mouse]

Personally, I hate socks and one of the joys of wearing skirts, has been the wide choice of hosiery available to make your legs look good.

I think my legs only look good in socks. I have thigh high socks that goes all the way up that they look like stockings or tights. Only downside is they tend to ride down, which can be solved by cutting off the foot and exposing the toes so it doesn't get pulled down.

I found thick stockings, with an industrial suspender belt, work well, with the benefit of keeping your feet happy.

[Barleymower]

I think if skirts for men became common place here, then tarten would be the number one choice, followed by plain wrap skirts. This a real pity becuase I love bright and colourful skirts.

I sometimes wonder if we are in the best times to be a man in skirt, where there are no agreed rules and we can wear whatever skirt we like. In a world where skirts were common on men, you might end up limited to a set of man skins and tartan kilts. A bit like if you compare what trousers are available for women and the set available for men now.

Hard to imagine a world where men are standing around in anything other than a kilt. If men wearing a skirt was the normal you would expect it to be plain. But if that were the norm then men like you and me Mouse would still be pushing the boundaries.

[robehickman]

Also having more detail in top garments would make them pair better with skirts, its common to get a hard style clash between the extreme 'minimalism' of menswear tops, and skirts which are pretty inherently ruffly. Pairing a ghillie shirt, pirate shirt, or poet shirt can often look more natural. There are many other details in historic menswear as well as current womanswear that could be adopted.

I've often worried about tops that were too, well, puffy as I didn't want to look like a pirate/ren faire cosplayer. But at the same time, they do work with skirts (referring to men's shirts of this ilk), and women routinely wear those styles or styles adjacent to them - and I've never heard any "complaints" regarding them.

Are they something you often include in outfits?

I think if skirts for men became common place here, then tarten would be the number one choice, followed by plain wrap skirts. This a real pity becuase I love bright and colourful skirts.

I sometimes wonder if we are in the best times to be a man in skirt, where there are no agreed rules and we can wear whatever skirt we like. In a world where skirts were common on men, you might end up limited to a set of man skins and tartan kilts. A bit like if you compare what trousers are available for women and the set available for men now.

Rules can be used to control people (i.e. office dress codes), however they can also be used to guide people towards outfit combinations that work proportionally. A big problem with men wearing skirts, is that the outfits one will end up with when pairing a skirt with typical menswear upper garments, look proportionally broken. Rules / guidelines could solve that problem.

[Modoc]

Rules can be used to control people (i.e. office dress codes), however they can also be used to guide people towards outfit combinations that work proportionally. A big problem with men wearing skirts, is that the outfits one will end up with when pairing a skirt with typical menswear upper garments, look proportionally broken. Rules / guidelines could solve that problem.

I think what goes together well is best left for each individual and their circle of confidants to decide. I have seen many a skirted female wearing men's type upper garments and looking quite fine while doing it. I reject the idea that men, or women for that matter, should be bound by a set of rules or guidelines as to what looks good or goes well together.