Men in skirts - questions about it.

[KlaireLarnia]

Hi, I have just had two thoughts and I wanted to ask for opinions on both. I would like to wear a skirt in public but as yet am not really confident enough to do this. As with everything I wear, I would not try and pass as female - I would simply be a man in female clothes.

Anyhow with regards to the above I have two questions.

1) I know people here based in the USA have gone out in skirts while looking male, what about people based in the UK and do/did you get any any bad reactions. If anyone has done this where did you go as well? I am wanting to do this but not sure where would be the best place to go.

2) Question: You are driving to a friends. You are wearing females clothes and need to stop for a toilet/comfort break. You are in heels, a nice top and unbuttoned jumper/cardigan and most importantly you have a full length skirt on. You look like a man in a skirt as that is exactly what you are. So the question is which toilet do you use? Mens or Womens?

I know the second one sounds like a dumb question but I really do not know which would be best. Mens because you are a man or womens because you are dressed like one? Also a side thought, those that go out looking female with the wigs and makeup etc. Which toilet do you use and have you ever be told to use the other one?

Sorry odd thoughts to have at 12:10am but hey - that's me!

[juno]

1) I think a skirt and everything else male is close enought to a kilt look that it should not be a big issue, depending on he colors. If you start adding heels and such, it may depend where you are.

2) That is why going "androgyne mode" is harder than male or female mode. The idea is to go with the one that matches the closest. If you are obviously male, I suspect that a male restroom is best.

[Joni T]

[ I think a skirt and everything else male is close enought to a kilt look that it should not be a big issue,]

WRONG!!!! WRONG!!!!! A skirt will NEVER look like a kilt !! Don't insult those of us who wear the kilts. And yes, I play the pipes too.
Joni

[sissystephanie]

I have been going out in a skirt for over 5 years now, since my dear wife passed away. She always fixed my wig and did my makeup since I was so bad at both. I am almost bald so there is no doubt that I am a man in a skirt and feminine top. But I go everywhere dressed that way. As long as I am decent, what I choose to wear is my business! And I will add that in the past five years I have not had one rude comment!

BTW, if you are "passing" or trying to pass, you should use the men's room. After all, you are a man!! I do it all the time, since I am definitely not "passing!"

[Rachel Morley]

1) I now live in the US but I am British. I have gone out in the UK in a skirt before but it was cheating as it the morning after a fancy dress party, and so it doesn't count because the two people that looked at me and smiled, I just said "yeah ... I know, it was a great party last night".

2) No such thing as dumb questions. Ask away. IMHO you are a crossdresser not trying to pass or express yourself as female, so regardless of what you are wearing I think people are going to percive you as "male" and expect you to use the guys restroom. It's MHO that unless you look like you're serious about attempting to present as female people are not going to like you using the women's bathroom. :2c:

Btw, when I am out in public, fully en femme, and doing my my (serious) best to pass, I always use the women's restroom.

[JiveTurkeyOnRye]

U.S. based here so can only answer #2


2) Question: You are driving to a friends. You are wearing females clothes and need to stop for a toilet/comfort break. You are in heels, a nice top and unbuttoned jumper/cardigan and most importantly you have a full length skirt on. You look like a man in a skirt as that is exactly what you are. So the question is which toilet do you use? Mens or Womens?

Well, to be perfectly honest I'd try to go to the "loo" as you'd call it before leaving home or when I got to my friends, because public restrooms are dicey no matter how I dress, but to seriously answer the question, Men's because I present as male.


That is why going "androgyne mode" is harder than male or female mode. The idea is to go with the one that matches the closest. If you are obviously male, I suspect that a male restroom is best. Why is it harder? It's just as much a debate amongst those who present as female but don't necessarily pass.




WRONG!!!! WRONG!!!!! A skirt will NEVER look like a kilt !! Don't insult those of us who wear the kilts. And yes, I play the pipes too.
Joni

Woah! calm down, how is it an "insult"? First off a kilt is a type of skirt, so by definition, some skirts do look like kilts, because they are kilts. Second off, you're the one who is "WRONG!!! WRONG!!!" because I wear kilts and I wear skirts, and people *frequently* think several of my skirts are kilts, I don't own a single knee-length skirt that hasn't been called a kilt at least once, including a drape skirt from american apparel that is asymmetrical, not pleated, and not plaid. The average person you meet on the street doesn't get as bogged down with the definitions of what makes a kilt a kilt as the purists like yourself do.

[KlaireLarnia]

I kinda suspected the answer to question 2 but thought it was worth asking. I would love to wear a skirt in public but frankly am to scared to - which is really annoying as they are by far one of the most comfortable items of womens clothing to wear and oddly the idea of going into a public toilet while wearing one would terrify me I think.

I am still wanting to try and wear a skirt though and I suppose it is just a case of getting enough courage to give it a go as I did with other items of clothing. I think perhaps the Skirt is the most noticeable item you can wear which would make you stand out (with high heels a close second). I would still like to know how other UK based people found their first experience of wearing a skirt in public tho.

Thanks
Klaire

[Emma England]

I am in the UK.

1) One of my jobs involves cleaning a primary school.
In warm weather, I have quite often worn a knee-length skirt.
Children, teachers, parents have all seen me - no comments or stares at all. In fact, I am treated exactly the same as if I was wearing jeans.

I have also worn skirts whilst out shopping in a busy high street. One time as I was going home, there must have been at least 200 men who had just come out of a football match. Guess what? No reaction at all (proves that not all football fans are yobs)

Where to go? Wherever you need to get to.

2) If presenting as a man, you should use mens toilets (although I try not to as they always stink)
It is the same as a woman wearing trousers - she would always use the ladies toilets.

Oh, look at my signature below - it is very true.

The way I started going out as a man in a skirt was because it is much easier than trying to pass as female (something which I think is impossible for me to do).

[Pythos]

Oh my God, Joni.

When are people going to stop the whole, "kilt's aren't skirts" tripe? Kilts ARE skirts, just like Skirts ARE Kilts. They are both unbifibricated garments that cover the lower section of the wearer.
When I saw (usually) men freaking out because the kilt gets called a skirt, I get the impression that they think calling that garment a skirt somehow insults it and it's wearer, cause skirts are only worn by women, and it some how degrades the kilt to name it something women wear.

Bottom line. Women are less than men.

I don't get all up in arms when my leggings are called by usually ignorant people, "tights", in many ways they are similar. They are both skin tight garments that cover the wearer from waists to ankle, or toe. There are times they also get called pants. But for many pants is more acceptable than tights for many, much for the same reason as Kilts are not to be called skirts.

[Vickie_CDTV]

As far as the restroom goes, the short answer is use the men's room if you are presenting male (regardless of whether you are wearing pants or a skirt.)

The best answer is: If you can, find a men's or unisex single user restroom where you are in there alone and the door locks behind you. It will help protect your safety, and keep you within the bounds of the law.

And, try to find this restroom before you travel in a skirt. Win-win.