Survey for possible new skirt product

[Big and Bashful]

Re Midas, I am starting to think that Midas may be more of a hobby for a few people rather than a full time business, which might go some way to explain the low priority given to the web site for years, and maybe why they found it so easy to produce custom variations of their skirts. Last time I emailled Lance, after the site crashed, he was just about to go into hospital for something which was why he couldn't do anything about the site. Now the site has disappeared completely things don't seem to be improving. Once I have the money put by for a couple more skirts from Midas I will try emailling him again to see if they are still making skirts. I will update the cafe once I find out what is happening.

[dillon]

My only issue with the skirt is the length. For my taste, a skirt falls either knee length (at or just abve the patella) or ankle length (at the top of my shoe). This garment appears to fall about four inches too long to suit my style. The seams and pockets don't bother me; in fact, I rather like the unique features. But the length makes me think of a Sunday-school superintendent or other "church lady". Too short to be long, but too long to be attractive, at least to my eye.

[finrod]

Thanks very much for the excellent feedback, both here and within the survey! I came up with this design based primarily on my own tastes, and it's informative to hear what other people like and dislike about it.

Here are some photos of the waistline, which several people mentioned I neglected to show in the survey's photos:



The top two images are of one of the two prototypes that were shown in the survey's photos: front and back. However, both of those prototypes are unfinished in that I haven't added the planned belt loops yet. So I included the third photo of an older model, which shows what the belt loops are intended to look like.

The second photo also shows that there is a yoke in the back. In the pictured prototype, the yoke is made up of two pieces joined in the center, which means the seam that joins them isn't aligned with the top end of asymmetric main seam coming up from below. I'm not satisfied with this. One idea is to have a single-piece yoke, which is actually also depicted in the third photo.

The lower pockets have drawbacks that people mentioned: a bit difficult to reach (while standing), awkward for holding heavier items, and items could fall out especially while sitting. Their utility is limited by these, although I don't think they're entirely useless, and perhaps for secondary pockets the limitations might be acceptable for some. The reason for there being a second set at all is that I like having plenty of pockets in general. But I didn't want to put them in back, where one ends up sitting on the contents. When I place them higher, the bottom boundary of the pocket is too disruptive to the A-line shape for my liking. I did experiment with having them higher up and making them part of narrow panels that hid their bottoms (kind of a neat effect), but this made for difficult sewing work and also put them very close to the other pockets, making that area look crowded. At this point I'm considering eliminating the pockets entirely (hence the survey question), or adding fasteners. I'm not sure if there's a fastener that wouldn't off-balance the overall look, though.

Ideas behind some of the other elements of the skirt:

• Diagonal primary seams: just to add some simple distinctiveness. Having some kind of seam in the front also helps provide cover for man-parts (not that total concealment of one's anatomy is necessarily a requirement, of course).
• Fly: For getting the skirt on and off. The seam is a natural place to put it, and simpler (at least for this novice tailor) construction-wise than putting it in a side seam. It's also a place where guys are used to having a zipper.
• Heavy fabric: Mostly a matter of preference. I prefer pants/trousers of heavier fabric also. And it's another feature that helps with man-parts™ coverage.
• Neutral/dark colors: I've mainly thought of these because these seem to be what most men to prefer in their below-the-waist wear. But point taken that there's no compelling reason for avoiding brighter colors.

Couya, thanks for mentioning those shops. I hadn't been aware of Hiatus, but I actually really like some of their designs. I agree entirely that interest from women for "masculine" skirts might exceed interest from men, and if this product were to become a reality, I would like to market it towards both men and women (in fact the survey's title is Unisex Skirt Product Survey). One challenge to this, though, is that more pattern work and complex sizing is required to cover both women and men.

I'm going to consider the feedback further and decide what ideas to try next, or whether it makes sense to pursue this as a product. Thanks again, everyone!

[Milfmog]

Finrod,

Thanks for the additional pictures. I agree totally that the seam in the yoke looks messy when not lined up with the diagonal seam of the main skirt. As an alternative option to a one piece yoke it may be better to produce the yoke with a seam aligned and angled to match the skirt; that would create less visual disruption. Of course it might also be far too much work to be worth the effort.

One other note; I just tried to go back to the survey to look at the pictures again but the system simply tells me I have already done the survey and asks if I'd like to take another. Could you post the pictures here so that we have a complete thread for reference later?

Have fun,


Ian.

[finrod]

Ian, thank you for the yoke suggestion; it's definitely worth considering.

I have edited the original post to include the photos.

[Big and Bashful]

Yes, I am glad that it will have belt loops, very necessary if you are my shape. (I am!)

[johnb]

I spotted this thread on one of my occaional logins to this site yesterday. I've completed the survey and generally like the skirt, including the diagonal seam at the front. Whilst the proposed heavy material might be useful for some types of wear and / or at cooler times of the year, I feel that some lighter material would be preferable in warmer weather.

I posted the survey link on a Facebook page "Men in skirts" yesterday evening, and overnight there have been a number of mainly positive comments.

John

[Milfmog]

I have edited the original post to include the photos.

Thanks for that.

Have fun,


Ian.

[finrod]

John, thanks for posting the survey on that Facebook page. There was another surge of survey responses around that time, with great feedback.

I've created a website, Facebook page, and Twitter account for this project -- in case people are interested:

http://skirtcraft.com
https://www.facebook.com/skirtcraft (more photos here)
https://twitter.com/skirtcraft

[finrod]

Thanks very much to the many people who responded to the survey! Based on your feedback, I've put together two variations on the design, with the changes primarily involving the sides of the skirt and the lower pockets. I'm constructing prototypes now. Photos and a new survey will be posted here within a few weeks.

[johnb]

Thanks very much to the many people who responded to the survey! Based on your feedback, I've put together two variations on the design, with the changes primarily involving the sides of the skirt and the lower pockets. I'm constructing prototypes now. Photos and a new survey will be posted here within a few weeks.

I look forward to seeing the next prototype.

John

[Max Caswell]

Great concept, I wouldnt use the zipper, although I'd buy it anyway.

And I won't buy elastic waist. Causes a rub rash. I prefer a regular or back-strap system for adjustment

Overall look is good. How's it cover the vitals when sitting?

Have you considered two big deep folds, rather than pleats on back to accommodate for bending and sitting? That way it's more utilitarian than just fashion.

[finrod]

Thanks, Max. The waist doesn't have elastic, it's just made of the same material as the rest of the skirt. There are belt loops too.

Coverage while sitting is good if you spread your legs a bit and let the fabric in the center fall between.

How do you see folds helping to accommodate bending and sitting? Movement is slightly restricted with this skirt, but only when trying to take three stairs at a time, etc.

[Max Caswell]

Good, no elastic. I just thought a couple large fold/pleats in the back to accomodate hinder movement when bending to a squat, along the utility kilt idea without all the pleats, just a little more give. If I buy a khaki/light duck material, that's what I'd use it for, work.

[chogan1975]

I am coming late to the party, but this skirt looks great with some of the samples you have been posting. I would be interested in getting one my self once it becomes a product.