When will men liberate their choice of clothing?

Now that the women's movement has made it possible for women to wear whatever they want without being stigmatized as "cross-dressers", when will men step forward in greater numbers to liberate their choices of clothing?

I see a few men in my own culture and lots of men in other parts of the world who feel free to wear dresses and skirts, but most men in so-called western societies are deeply conditioned to stay in their rigidly-defined gender roles. What a bunch of wimps! After experiencing a full length Kaftan gown, similar to those worn by men in the Middle East, there is no way I want to be bound up around my waist with a belt all the time.

Men, have you ever worn a full length dress or loose skirt? Have you experienced clothing that follows the form of your body without pinching off your body around your midsection? Have you felt the warm breeze of summer on your legs while wearing a light skirt in the evening? Have you recognized that men can break out of their strictly-defined gender roles in the same way that women have?

If you have any sense of adventure about this, go to a thrift store and buy a few clothing items to try out. Look for colors and styles that you like, and don't be intimidated by stereotypes that make you think that the only men who wear these comfortable and sensual clothes are female impersonators. Wear what you want, and continue to be as masculine or as feminine as you want to be.

Do you think men in western cultures will ever throw off the stigma of being called "cross-dressers"? If not, why do they put up with the double standard of "allowable" gender roles?

 

I was reading an article in Outdoor magazine written by a woman who wanted more men to wear skirts while hiking so that women would be able to more freely wear skirts themselves. It amused me to read about women being insecure in skirts. I'm encouraged to wear my hiking kilt more often now. Men who don't wear skirts are really missing out.

 

Hiking is a great example. This past summer, I wore my kaftan while hiking the easy trails around the north rim of the Grand Canyon. It was the perfect garment-- light colored, breathable, two nice big pockets for maps and snacks, and almost completely covering my body so I could minimize the application of sun screen. Because it is open at the bottom and does not cling around your legs, I stayed cool in the intense sun of that high altitude.

There were visitors from all over the world hiking that day. Most did not give my clothing a second look, but a some Americans did a double or triple take. One man who had been drinking in a campground sarcastically asked if I had anything on under "that dress". He did not get a response. A woman who was out hiking asked if I had any concerns about being seen as a "terrorist". All of this demonstrated to me how rigid many Americans are about what is acceptable clothing for a man.

Generally, this is not a problem at all when I am out backpacking in remote areas. People I meet in the back country generally are not as brainwashed by mass media and social media. I love wearing light weight skirts or a kaftan when backpacking. They are so easy to slip on and off, and to wash/dry while out in the wilderness. I'll wear pants when in areas that are infested with mosquitoes or prickly vegetation, or when it is especially cold.

 

I live in NH. I thought, when I moved here, that people would be more critical. Not at all. I have never got a bad reaction. It's still hard to be different. I keep wishing things will change. I'm sure they will - eventually.

 

I'm part Scottish and wear my Kilt occasionally - of course with nothing underneath. It's nice to have the airflow and I'm sure one of the reasons women wear skirts and dresses.

If you're worried about looking weird wearing a skirt - try a kilt.

 

I prefer pants but most men are way too rigid abt clothes generally

 

I also like like like long coats these r often confused for lady wear.

 

I have a friend, fellow golfer, who wears a kilt when playing a round. Myself, I wear a running kilt when I go out for a run. Neither of us wear anything underneath. It is much more comfortable than wearing shorts and a lot cooler too.

 

I love wearing this t-shirt with my kilt - of course with nothing under it.

 

some men just don't wanna wear women's clothing

 

And that's fine. But if you ever slip on a kilt or a masculine cover that doesn't have a crotch or legs you might find the difference in comfort is substantial. I've run in running shorts, trisuits, and kilts. By far I like the comfort that a kilt provides. No genital pinching or adjustments needed, These are not necessarily womens clothes but are patterned after dresses.

 

You're right - some men don't and I'm one of them.

I will wear my kilt though.

 

What I hate seeing is suits. They seem to hardly vary in style anymore. Look at congress or company executives. It's like they're all clones.

And they aren't comfortable and expensive. Plus who needs a tie? Might as well use it to hang yourself or for some kinky sex!

 

i don't wear dresses, don't like the style. they just don't look good on me

i do wear sarongs/pareo/lavalava a lot especalily this time of the year. usually tied up at my left hip like you;d wear it with a bikini

i also wouldnt' be seen dead in a suit. literally i have it stated in my will do not bury me in a suit and/or tie

 

Im usually nude, in panties and sometimes a bra. It's my daily wear. I wear a shower wrap around my waste if I go outside. I do have a couple dresses and skirts along with a few of my wifes that fit me that I wear. I don't go out in public in those like I do my undergarments. But I have put them on to sit around in and have occasionally driven my wife in the car somewhere knowing I won't be having to get out.

 

I frequently enjoy wearing female clothing, sometimes leggings/yoga pants for relaxing because they are comfortable, delicate lace lingerie to feel sexy, or an entire outfit with make-up wig & high heels for a night out, anything from a classy look to a slutty look. I'm not worried about stereotypes, all that concerns me is that I look however the people I am with want me to look. Even better if they dress and make me up in a style of their choosing, then I look exactly how they want me to.

 

If I put on a tie for visiting a customer, I'd never hear the end of it..."where ya been, a funeral??"

 

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My plain dark gray tee shirt dress is my favorite attire now that the weather has turned cool. I do not like wearing anything that requires a belt or any type of constriction. As usual, I found this dress at a thrift store.

For me, it's the feel, not the look that really counts. The first thing I do when I return home from town is take off my constricting town clothes and pull that dress on over my head.

I wish I lived somewhere where men felt comfortable wearing dresses in public. I get such a sense of liberation to dress with that feeling of flowing comfort. I'm a bit sad that men are judged so harshly in American society for wearing a dress.

 

I’ve gone hiking in a skirt a few times and honestly felt really self conscious about it. Just a couple weeks ago I wore a crotch less body suit, a stretchy skirt and warm too for a hike on a cool rainy morning. I only saw two other people, two women hiking with their dogs. We chatted while our dogs did their dog thing for a few minutes and I’d have been less self conscious if I’d have been completely naked. I don’t even know if they noticed but I was uncomfortable.