Skirts for Men

a personal view . . continued

What about my Wife?

This was the BIG hurdle. I worked on my wife for a while, planting seeds and commenting on her and other women's clothes. We've had the crossdressing discussion. I tell her that I'm not into dressing up in women's clothes or turning queer. All I want is a man's skirt. No lipstick, no frilly panties, no slingbacks! My question to her is: Why is it OK for a woman to wear anything from the entire world of men's and women's clothing, but men have to stick rigidly to what is traditional? So far no satisfactory reply.
I suspect that if a significant percentage of the male populace were to wear skirts then she would have no objection. Anyway, at the end of one discussion she said "You'll just have to get a kilt then". So I did, even though I'm pretty sure she didn't really mean it.

On return home I donned the kilt and showed it to my wife, meeting with the predicted response:"What do you want that for? Crossdressing. You're not Scottish. When do think you are going to wear it?". Anyway, later that evening a good friend of our came to dinner and my wife couldn't wait to tell her about the kilt. Our friend was quite on my side, particularly about the crossdressing issue. After dinner I put the kilt on and our friend had a chuckle, but admitted it was OK. Then my wife said "The sad thing is, he looks good in it"(!). Our friend agreed with her. Even my elderly mother-in-law who was staying with us seemed quite at ease with me in a kilt and was admiring the material. Finally, my biker son came in and my wife asked him what he thought of his Dad. My son's reaction:"Cool! That looks great!"
I happily wore the kilt for the rest of the day, and continue to do so whenever possible.

By now many friends, relatives and neighbors have visited our house and all have admired my kilts. There has been no negative reaction or comment. Some were even particularly enthusiastic. Many have also seen me wearing my sarongs, again with good reactions.

Anyway, I am making slow progress. I've worn the kilt while out with my wife to some parties and gatherings. Sadly, in spite of the overwhelming positive responses, every time someone makes a negative comment, that's the one she hears. :-(
My wife remains ambivalent. She will make me up sarongs, but hates to see me wear them. She likes to be different and rebellious, but not to 'that' extent. And, yes, she wears trousers a lot of the time!

Stepping out

During the Summer of 2001 I went off to the coast one day while my wife was engaged elsewhere. I took the opportunity to wear a sarong down to the beach. (My first trip out with the skirt.) The beach was about 900 metres from the parking area and I passed quite a few people to and from the sea. Reactions were interesting: Young women mostly smiled encouragingly while their menfolk tended to look elsewhere. An older couple looked as though they couldn't believe their eyes and definitely looked unsympathetic. Children just carried on as normal, apparently seeing nothing unusual. What was good was that no-one jeered or made rude comments. I was far more confident on the way back to the car. (not too sure about those two bikers at the parking strip though).

It was so good to wear the sarong. It felt so free and liberating, especially as I walked along the sea edge with a gentle breeze blowing.

Thus encouraged I wore the sarong on holiday in France at the beach and at the campsite. My wife grudgingly accepted it, but only at these places. Unfortunately some French guys laughed at us while we were out strolling around the campsite, and this put progress with my wife right back. Me, I couldn't care less about the laughter - I'm the one with the freedom here mes amis! It hasn't stopped me wearing my sarongs in the back yard all summer, and I had visits from my church pastor and friends and relatives - all fully accepting. It has to be said though that the sarong is definitely a summer only skirt for outdoors; fine inside all year though.

I started by wearing my kilt around the house to get my wife used to it and I thought it was time to branch out. So I wore it to go down town shopping and was amazed by the lack of reaction. The most I got was a young woman sitting with her boyfriend, who looked up, had a second look and then went back to reading her magazine. I called in at my wife's place of work on the way home and all her (female) co-workers loved the kilt and thought it suited me.

On Burn's night (Jan 25th) I wore the kilt to the office. Plenty of reaction here! Needless to say the ladies loved it, even though some were amazed at me. One or two of the fellas weren't sure, but there was no hostility or talk of 'girliness'. There are several Scottish men in the office and they were very encouraging. (Maybe they will start wearing their kilts too!). After a while we all just got on with work. I have worn the kilt to the office since with similar results. Best reaction? From a female administrator; "Barry, you look bl**dy marvellous!"

While my wife was away for the weekend I wore my latest kilt more or less all the time. Trips out included the hardware store, the supermarket, the garden center and a local park. The weather was warm but breezy, and boy did the kilt feel good! Again, no problems, just a few curious glances. Thus emboldened, I now wear the kilt or a sarong whenever I get the chance. I tried a short kilted walk 'regimental style' to check out the experience. Not for me boys - far too draughty!
As mentioned above I have worn various of my kilts to parties and gatherings over the Christmas period, as well as church social events. The Pastor took it all in his stride, but then he has seen me wearing a sarong!

I have now moved to the South Coast of England in a modest sized town. I determined that I was going to be myself from word go. All my new neighbours have taken my skirt wearing in their stride. There were some initial comments - mostly of the "are you Scottish?" variety. We have also had many workmen visit the house as it has been refurbished extensively. Again, no problem, just the odd humourous aside, once they got to know me. I am always getting women coming up to me at church and saying how much they love my kilt. Its a great opener. On a solo week's holiday in Menorca I took sarongs, a Macabi and my short denim. This last I wore mostly. Only reaction was from a group of British tots. A lone voice announced: "That man is wearing a skirt!" I found the Macabi too hot during the day but great for the cooler evenings.. As for the sarongs - no responses of any kind.

I wear sarongs at the beach and kilts around town and to church. From the reactions (or lack of them) it would seem that a skirted man is no big deal. I now wear skirts the majority of the time. Marvellous!

What I've Learnt:

* Most people don't care what you wear.
* Sarongs are fine for the beach, or back yard.
* The kilt is fully accepted as men's clothing.
* Friends and family may 'pull your leg' but are OK with a kilt.
* Walk tall when wearing your kilt/skirt, you're not ashamed of it.
* Women love men in kilts
* Your biggest problem will be your wife or girlfriend.
* Most men are afraid of appearing weak or girlish in a skirt.
* You won't get anywhere by hiding indoors.
* And finally . . . . You are not alone!

My advice: 1) Buy a skirt. 2) Wear it.

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