What Will it Take to Normalize Skirts for Men?

What Will it Take to Normalize Skirts for Men?


Tags: Culture Dress codes

This question came up in our Skirtonians drop-in group a few weeks ago, sparking a range of responses—from global warming and electrical grid failure to shifts in skirt related language that we use.

What do you think it will take? Serious and "frivolous" suggestions welcome 📝

See what people had to say on Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky—or join the conversation there.

Highlights:

  • Another film about medieval Scotland
  • More men breaking the boundaries of convention. I currently have painted nails for hard-as-nails.com and am wearing skirts out more often.
    Not a single negative comment so far. 😁
  • Simple, rebrand. Call it a “tunic”.
  • Calling it a kilt.
  • Realistically many men find buying and choosing clothes a chore. When it come to clothes many men prefer conformity over individuality. Any substantial change would probably need to start with changing these general attitudes before promoting any particular garment type.
  • Masculinize the skirt, not feminize the man. Kilts are already beginning to become popular.
  • A popular tv show with a masculine/hunky character who wears skirts might get some people thinking, if not outraged. More women encouraging their guys to wear skirts would definitely help too.
  • We should stop trying to normalize it and have the conviction that it doesn't have to be normal to be right
  • Build skirts specifically for men’s bodies
  • Presence.
  • Show their practicality. The freedom of movement (walking, running or hiking) and the cooling sensation in the heat.
  • Jesus coming back..

Tags: Culture Dress codes

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10 comments

Sorry. But a second comment because I feel strongly about making men wearing skirts more acceptable by the public at large. I think we should now leave behind the argument that men used to wear skirts and kilts by the Romans, Scots, 18th century and what not. I approached my family by telling them that I like the practicalities (in many cases – but sometimes trousers and shorts are better), the health benefits (I prefer the freedom of my tackle with only one layer of tight material squeezing me to death) and that it just feels soooo nice to wear one. I don’t know if it’s a sexual thing. But, whatever… that doesn’t matter. One shouldn’t need to explain why it feels nice. And if there are other benefits, then feel free to add. My son thinks I’m ready to be committed. My wife likes it. But wants me to be a masculine man (which I have no trouble doing because I’m proud of my gender and displaying it – that’s what she likes).

Sean

Adidas made a gender neutral skirt a couple of years ago. But it seems that they’ve stopped making them anymore. It’s a pity that they barely advertised it. If big brands like Adidas and others didn’t a campaign advertising drive to promote their gender neutral skirts/fashions, it may contribute to it becoming a fashion trend – for a while at least. But baby steps. And then continue advertising as though it’s normal to have a skirt in your closet.

Sean

thanks @Greg, it’s a great point – practicality won pants for women, and it can win skirts for men. i’ve been highlighting practical reason here – https://www.instagram.com/explore/search/keyword/?q=%23skirtpracticality

and i’ll add it to the list above.

Chip

Demonstration of practicality.

Women got acceptance to wear pants from the war when skirts just wouldn’t work in a factory. Now a fashion staple.

I see men wearing them when we show their practicality. The freedom of movement (walking, running or hiking) and the cooling sensation in the heat. Fashion comes later.

Greg

I was the Jesus coming back comment and it made it here… so kewl

Matt Loomis

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