Gender and fashion

[Ragnarok]

This one's more of an opinion poll than an actual "debate", per se, but I suppose it could be viewed both in terms of whether you would feel comfortable if it ended up becoming a norm, as well as what you think of it in general.

Anyway, I was poking around TVtropes, and came across this page, discussing the odd names that people (usually guys) give to things that are regarded as "unmasculine". Examples such as the doll/action figure debate and the satchel/man-purse thing ran the length of the page, and then one really caught my attention as odd: Hot Topic's "one-legged pant" (image only). Now, for those who haven't clicked the link, but have a good imagination, normal pants have two legs, and if you combine the two, you're left with something that might otherwise be known as a "long skirt." And yes, this item was being marketed to the male audience, and as of the last time I saw the link, before it was taken down, they had sold out.

Somewhat intrigued by this, I ran a few Google searches, which resulted in my finding several rather interesting articles (3 links).

Looking at it as a social phenomenon, I can somewhat understand the position taken by the authors of those articles. It's been decades since women were socially allowed to dress like men, but the reverse has, in general, remained nearly completely taboo. The questions are why is this the case, and is it a social standard which could use revising?


Aside from the feeling that it's rather odd, which is a direct product of the social climate, I see nothing wrong with it. For now, though, I don't see it becoming a widespread movement.

Any other thoughts?
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[Syrobe]

I see nothing wrong with in either.

But more pricinple I would like to add someting to this debate, somethoing from the other side.....:

A female skirt can be seen as an attribute to express (voluntary of non voluntary) feminity.
Sometimes such a skirt even is a must (religiously, culturaly): when a woman wants to take part of some social interactivities, she is obliged to wear a skirt and a man is obliglied to wear pants.

In Paris it seems to be dangerous nowadays for woman to wear skirts. Feninists do advise women to wear trouwsers.

I would like to see change in all that, but I fear, as long as the salaries of men still are higher than the salaries of women in similiar positions, that nothing will change.

It is the neverending debate of emancipation.

So…perhaps men wearing skirts will be a positive step towards ending all that, but I too don't see it becoming a widespread movement (because of the statements before).
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[Hyraxylos]

I imagine that a lot of ultraconservatives who thought the 1950s would've been the most wonderful time in American history (much facepalm) would probably freak out over this and babble empty-headedly about how it "is all a Sign Of The Times due to the evidence our youth declining morally." I suppose if someone defines "moral" as "obeying the rules of the grown-ups, or else" that could be considered true, and never mind that every generation always rebels against the one immediately before it.

I don't feel strongly one way or the other, because unless I'm in a fancy place, I'll wear whatever clothes I'm comfortable wearing regardless. The only time I ever got worked up over a new fashion was when I was in school and it was considered "fashionable" for boys to wear pants 50 sizes too large. The school actually started making rules against that after the 4th reported incident of someone's pants literally falling down in the hallway.
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[Ragnarok]

[Syrobe]

[Jasriella]

I can about guarantee you that you'll never see a guy here in the U.S. going down the street wearing a skirt or Kilt, unless it's some Scottish holiday and you're in a Scottish type neighborhood. Partly due to the fact that our society can't look at individualism without a smirk or laugh. Also a lot of people would get the assumption that he's gay or transexual, or something of the sort.

Also in a lot of jobs, especially business's, women aren't allowed to wear pants. Dress codes specify skirts only. Why I could never fathom. Personally I've found that if you aren't careful one can get a good view up there and with pants that's virtually impossible.
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I am trapped between heaven and hell. My wings carry me upon the winds. Above lies heaven, below hell. Yet I must land in hell to soar in heaven. I am a Dragon!

[Jaden]

[QueenOfTheShadows]

I've seen a couple of people here in bellingham who wear kilts in public, and Dark knows of several who wear them weekly to the boffering fields (with boxers underneath).

I might also mention here that there was a bit of a stink back about a year or two before I joined SDB, at the high school I attended.

Basically my view of it boils down to this: so for school spirit week a guy could dress in drag, as part of a school assembly no less, but alos on "opposites day"... but come Halloween, couldn't dress in drag, more ever a student of Scottish heritage who would occasionally attend dances, was, If I recall correctly told he had to leave the prom early for wearing a full up traditional Scottish dress.

Hell I pissed off tones of my peers by wearing an very classy and entierly formal pants suit to prom.


*sigh* then again Ive seen males in skirts and dresses many a time, not counting on halloween and at costume parties. One of them being my own brother, who used to somewhat regularly borrow certian articles of my clothing, with and without permission. in fact there used to be a picture of him dressed as a girl floating around the net.
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