Where's My Waistline? Tips for the Skirted Male
Chip Palmer
I sat down to write this style tip thinking that the recommendation would be 'Your waistline is at the navel, not the top of your butt'. For most skirts and traditional kilts, this might be true. But for many skirts, it depends.
Why Wear Skirts High?
- Your legs will look longer.
- The male bulge can be less noticeable under the drape of a skirt, if that's a concern.
- For narrow pencil skirts, legs have more room to walk (or dance).
What to Consider
A lot of it comes down to personal preference.
Skirt Length
On average, longer skirts should be worn higher on the waist, for balance.
Shirt Length
Unless you go intentionally baggy, having the bottom of a shirt meet somewhere near the waistband will look more intentional—see Fitted tops.
Masc vs. Fem
In western culture, skirts worn higher on the waist often look more feminine and natural. But there are many factors in a feminine or masculine approach to skirts.
Denim Vibes
Skirts with jean-inspired features like pockets, belt loops, sturdy fabric, and a fly will likely have a natural look and feel sitting lower on the waist.
Waist Fit
Skirts that work well near the navel have stretchy fabric and a snug fit at the waist. Stiff materials can work too, as long as the fit is just right or there's flexibility in the waist, like with wrap skirts. If you come across skirts with a high hip-to-waist ratio designed for female bodies, you might have to go a size up and wear it lower on the waist, to avoid pinching your stomach.
The three skirts below wouldn't actually sit at my navel because they're more loose at the waist, but I like the relaxed look and feel:
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Play around with different skirts and find your style—just make sure to try the higher waistline and see if it works.
Here are some comparison pics to help you visualize high and low waistlines with various skirt types (maxi, mini, pencil, skater, a-line, and straight cut):
8 comments
@Robert that’s a great idea, and it opens you up to so many more skirts from the thrift shop.
Along the lines of this topic, it may be worthwhile talking about how to hem skirts and tops to adjust their length. Doing that requires only basic sewing, and it is so freeing being able to adjust things to one’s own proportions.
Thanks @WadeS – Body type is definitely a consideration! At the same knee-ish height preference, you might be shopping for different skirt types depending on whether you want a high or low waist.
@ChrisL yes, any male will usually experience slightly more shifting down with certain skirts, from the difference in hip-to-waist ratio alone. Stretchy is best, as well as thicker fabric, and not going too long.
@JCNY Great point – though some of the tops don’t extend much past the waistline here, tucked in does change the look. I’ll see if I can get a new comparison pic in the mix with that.