Trip out

[Derek Plattis]

I'm intending to go out skirted tomorrow to a local music club where I have several friends. It meets in a village pub a few miles out of town. This will be the first time I've been there in a skirt. '

A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!'

I'll let you know how it goes

Wish me luck!

Derek

[SkirtRevolution]

Great Derek,

The first time is always the scariest but soon you realise its just in our heads and no one will care. Look forward to hearing how it goes.

[Milfmog]

I'm intending to go out skirted tomorrow to a local music club where I have several friends. It meets in a village pub a few miles out of town. This will be the first time I've been there in a skirt. '

A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!'

I'll let you know how it goes

Wish me luck!

Derek

Derek,

You've been skirting for long enough by now to realise that you do not need luck; just the self confidence to behave normally. People will respond far more strongly to your behaviour than to your clothing. Enjoy your skirt, enjoy the club, enjoy the music and I feel confident that your choice of a skirt will be accepted. Possibly remarked on, but accepted none the less.

Have fun (and accept that I do wish you luck even though I don't believe you need it),


Ian.

[Derek Plattis]

Ian,

Thank you for your very encouraging words. You were absolutely right of course. I have been skirting a long time but this was the first time I've evr 'come out' to my friends. Previous skirting has always taken place a long way from home where I would be unlikley to be recognised.

Last night I chose to wear a full length - ankle length - blue deninm skirt. Fairly straight but wide enough at the borttom for me to walk comfortably in. I have a quite long stride and some skirts are too restrictive. I always wear full length skirts because I like the feel of them round my legs. This skirt has pockets at the side and and the back like on jeans and a front fastening zip.

I was correspondingly tense and nervous before I left last night, but at the same time, determined. If I didn't do it now, it's likely that I never would. They say your only young once, and I'm 56.

I have to say it was the most fantastic evening I could have imagined. I've spent a lifetime being quite screwed up about myself and my desire to wear skirts.
Last night came as a huge release of tension. There was little or no comment which I heard and when I got there, within a few minutes of sitting in the bar I just relaxed big time. I was able to sit and talk and drink with friends new and old, male and female in a much more relaxed way than I have been able to do for ages.

I was able to stand up before a small audience and play guitar and sing in a more relaxed way than usual.

I had a marvellous and memorable evening and I want to make it a semi-regular event.

Guys, if you haven't tried it yet, I heartily recommend it. Be bold. It takes courage but the rewards massively out weigh the fear!

Happy skirting everyone,

Derek

[crfriend]

It is god indeed to hear that your first "formal outing" in front of folks who know you went so well, and I am pleased that the reactions experienced, both on your part and on the parts of others were so good. Congratulations, for demonstrating your fashion sense in front of those who know you is always the hardest step.

I, too, have heard the old saw of "You're only young once."; there's another one I find somewhat charming: "Youth is wasted on the young." In reality, you're only as old as you feel; I know a large number of 20-something "old men", and I know a number of 70-something firecrackers!

[skirtyscot]

Excellent, Derek, well done! Ain't no stopping you now!

demonstrating your fashion sense in front of those who know you is always the hardest step.

Indeed, and that's because you care most about thier opinions. The opinions of those nearest and dearest to me are currently preventing me from taking the same step as you, Derek.

[crfriend]

Indeed, and that's because you care most about thier opinions. The opinions of those nearest and dearest to me are currently preventing me from taking the same step as you,

That cuts both ways. Those that are closest to you also may have your interests in mind and may misread things through the lens of their own life-experiences; this can make them perform the typical "knee-jerk" reaction of, "Men do NOT wear skirts!" -- and be strident about it. So there's a "double-whammy" there lurking in the wings for the prospective skirtsman.

Pals can be hammered down with relative ease in this regard as they'll usually just poke fun, and once the fun has gone because you don't react the point will go dead. Where the stakes get really high is with family members and especially with wives/girlfriends, as they will have fears all their own that the prospective skirtsman might not be aware of. This is where, "softly, softly" comes into play and one needs to handle the matter with the proverbial kid gloves. It's the last part that likely stops most guys who could otherwise be persuaded to put on a kilt or skirt and just head out.

[Derek Plattis]

Pals can be hammered down with relative ease in this regard as they'll usually just poke fun, and once the fun has gone because you don't react the point will go dead. Where the stakes get really high is with family members and especially with wives/girlfriends, as they will have fears all their own that the prospective skirtsman might not be aware of. This is where, "softly, softly" comes into play and one needs to handle the matter with the proverbial kid gloves. It's the last part that likely stops most guys who could otherwise be persuaded to put on a kilt or skirt and just head out.

Yep! I couldn't agree more. I met my wife when I was 25 and now I'm 56. She has known about my skirting almost from the start. We have been through difficult periods due to my skirting and it is only now that she has seen the need for me to be able to gain recognition among my friends. I once went skirting without her knowledge. I will never do that again. Take it carefully, your nearest and dearest must respected. She has been very supportive - amazingly so but would prefer me to keep it private - behind closed doors (and blinds). It has been a huge step - a leap of faith - for her to agree to what I have just done and I love and respect her for it.

Derek

P.S. I still can't get the hang of this quote thing - can someone tell me how to do it please?

[Big and Bashful]

<snippety snip>
Derek

P.S. I still can't get the hang of this quote thing - can someone tell me how to do it please?

Erm, click on the quote button, then don't play with the coding! just mangle the words to suit.

[Milfmog]

Thank you for your very encouraging words. You were absolutely right of course. I have been skirting a long time but this was the first time I've evr 'come out' to my friends. Previous skirting has always taken place a long way from home where I would be unlikley to be recognised.

Folks who know you already know you are not some loony oddball. They will generally accept your choices whatever you wear, though friends will always have a bit of a Micky take and joke around. They know you and you value their opinions, that makes it seem harder because there is something to lose. However my experience has always been that telling friends and family is far less of a problem than I expect it to be. Immediate family, who may well feel that your choices reflect on them, can be a totally different kettle of fish. Glad to hear that everything went well and, more importantly, that you were able to enjoy yourself.

...I chose to wear a full length - ankle length - blue deninm skirt. Fairly straight but wide enough at the bottom for me to walk comfortably in... ...I have a quite long stride and some skirts are too restrictive. I always wear full length skirts because I like the feel of them round my legs. This skirt has pockets at the side and and the back like on jeans and a front fastening zip.

Sounds like a totally sensible, pragmatic choice. Something overly fanciful (Sp??) might have provoked more reaction, but practical options are quickly understood by observers.

I had a marvellous and memorable evening and I want to make it a semi-regular event.

Perfect result!

Guys, if you haven't tried it yet, I heartily recommend it. Be bold. It takes courage but the rewards massively out weigh the fear!

That has certainly been my experience. The only restriction I place on myself in this sort of scenario is that I have to be able to project the illusion of confidence, even if I don't feel it. If I choose something too extreme it impacts on my confidence and my uncertainty shows; that is when I am likely to get feedback I don't want.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us Derek.

Have fun,


Ian.

[Maverick]

Ian you are so right I went out with my sister the other night who bless her is totally accepting of my clothing but i wore a skirt just a little shorter than my norm and said If you are not happy I have a longer Kilt in the car . She picked up on my doubt I just wished i had not sown the seed

Regard Martin

[Derek Plattis]

Just got back from the same music club - mentioned in an earlier post above. Wore a different but similar full-length denim skirt. Somehow it felt uncomfortable this time - psychologically and emotionally not physically - so, I slipped out after a while and changed into jeans in the car. Later on a woman friend commented on what I'd done and asked why I had changed. A short conversation ensued in which she told me that I really should have the courage of my convictions for she doesn't like sheep.

I think that sorted it for me. I must keep skirting, at least among friends. Now I can't wait to go back there - skirted of course.

Derek

[Milfmog]

Derek,

i reckon you did the right thing; you could not project confidence and comfort so you changed into something you felt more (socially) comfortable in. I would almost certainly have done the same thing in your shoes. However, I usually don't allow myself a fall back position; no jeans in the car would have meant I would not have been able to change, I'd have had to stick it out.

The comment you had later should boost your confidence; unsolicited feedback from someone outside the "skirts are a good option for men" environment is invaluable. Maybe next time you'll feel able to leave the jeans at home.

Have fun,


Ian.

[mugman]

I also belong to a music club, Derek, and for the last four years have never worn anything other than kilts or knee length skirts there, or at any of their associated events at other venues. There's never been any awkwardness shown and they quickly accepted, from my first attendance, that it was my way of clothing. The shared enjoyment of the particular kind of music we support does tend to override other less important things, like blokes wearing skirts.
My latest kilt is a very cheap black faux leather one from ebay - I believe there are still the same ones being sold there. It's the most comfortable kilt I have!
It has no hem finish so it can be shortened easily by just cutting with a steel rule and craft knife. The pleats always stay firmly sharp, and there is an inner silk lining virtually full length so it doesn't rub across your legs. If you spill your wine it can also be wiped clean. The 24" usual length is always too long for me so I reduced it down to 19.5" which comes to just above knee.
From the waste material I made up four belt loops and sewed them on as the kilt has a nack of slipping, being a plastic surface. There's enough left for a tie I should imagine, but maybe that's going too far!
Although we are all of quite mature ages I believe the kilt looks pretty much jazzy, which is idealy linked with our music preferences. At last night's meeting I went for total black - black lightweight pullover, black kilt, black knee length socks and black shoes, and I reckon I was the snazziest one there among the usual sea of 'retired-buff' trousers and immaculately creased blue jeans...something which always amuses me. Did cowboys always iron their workclothes so lovingly? Anyway I received some great comments .
Pete