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Men Go For Skirts

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Japanese men are finally breaking through one of the few remaining fashion taboos: men wearing skirts and dresses.

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I saw this trend as early as 2004 and 2005 (see the four images at the bottom), but there is a big difference between then and now. In those days men usually had to make do somehow if they wanted to wear skirts, dresses or dress-like garments.

Some men still use creative solutions like wearing a traditional kaftan (see below left), but now established brands also offer skirts and dresses specifically made for men.

Japanese Street Fashion
A kaftan (left) is a creative solution to the dearth of male skirts and dresses. The person on the right wears a dress made by Japanese fashion brand Comme des Garçons.

Japanese Street Fashion — Male Skirts
Skirts. The one on the right is by Comme des Garçons.

Japanese Street Fashion — Male Skirts
In 2005, some men still had to resort to wrapping shirts around their waist (right) to make them look like skirts.

Japanese Street Fashion — Male Skirts & Dresses
Back in 2005 Yohji Yamamoto used to sell a dress for men that was advertised as a “long sweater” (left). These days it could be sold as a dress without men feeling uncomfortable about it.

I am wondering whether it is easier for Japanese men to break through this taboo than it is for many Western men. After all, Japanese men are used to wearing the dress-like yukata.

The yukata virtually disappeared from the Japanese street scene after the end of WWII, but it has become very popular again among young men during the past ten years.

Yukata for men
Young men wearing fashionable modern yukata.

What is your take on this?

Kjeld Duits About the Author

Inspired by the stunningly creative street fashion that exploded on the streets of Tokyo and Osaka in the late 1990’s, photo-journalist Kjeld Duits launched JAPANESE STREETS in 2002. This makes JS one of the first fashion blogs on the net, and the very first to cover Japanese street fashion.

Recent articles by Kjeld Duits:

Comment (日本語もOK)

Only makes sense. I’d love to see yukata and formal kimono make an even bigger comeback. In particular, the slender hips on Japanese men holds up the shape perfectly.

I think the Yohji Yamamoto sweaterdress on the chap eating is beautiful.

Katie
Nov 17, 2009 (912 days ago)

I live in Florida, USA and have been wearing skirts and jumpers full time since 2005 except for at Jury Duty where the (female) Judge insists that men wear trousers or face “contempt of court” charges. Women in her court can wear whatever they please.

It’s getting popular here much slower than in Japan, Usually only in extreme fashion shows and in small sites like http://skirts4men.myfreeforum.org/ which is a talk site for like minded “manly” men who prefer an “unbifurcated” garment over a “bifurcated” one. ie: trousers. Bifurcated = 2 holes for 2 legs, Unbifurcated = 1 hole for 2 legs. We refer to what we wear as M.U.G.s or Male Unbifurcated Garments.
I love the release from TTT…TTT = Trouser and Tie Tyranny. I don’t miss the torture chamber that most men call a “Crotch” at all. Who really needs a saw edged cloth weapon sawing thru your “little guys” every time you sit or walk. That problem doesn’t exist in a skirt, Thank the powers that be.
Much of the “WEST” is still stuck in a “self-effacing, follow the leader” mentality left for us by the Victorian mentality that we MUST fight our way out of and back into fashion freedom. :)

SkirtedMan
Nov 18, 2009 (911 days ago)

i like the formal dresses, but the modern ones not so much… though the long sweater is adorable C:
i think the ‘dresses’ in 2005 looked better than now…

Jini
Nov 18, 2009 (911 days ago)

Why not? Skirts are more comfortable for men.

Jürgen (Germany)
Nov 20, 2009 (909 days ago)

Men in skirts makes my heart beat so hard. As long as they wear skirts that fit them well it’s one of the sexiest things next to glasses and kimono. More of this please!

Yanni
Dec 15, 2009 (884 days ago)

Skirts and dresses are the most healthy and cofortable wardrobe for men. Men of today have to get over the old fashion style and have to try really new ways of dressing.
It is time to get out of uniformized and pant”izid” culture which causes most ‘modern’ male diseases

martinus
Jan 20, 2010 (848 days ago)

wow that’s awkward… makes them look short

Jackie Wake
Jan 31, 2010 (837 days ago)

I like men in skirts. They are different and much nicer, more frankly, hard to describe. Short skirts are fine, but not too short. Would recommend to shave legs.

breanne
Feb 2, 2010 (835 days ago)

i think its super sexy. i can’t wait until the asian cookies in nyc take up the style!! i’d die of joy~

Ren
Mar 28, 2010 (781 days ago)

@Ren: None so far?

Kjeld Duits (author)
Mar 28, 2010 (781 days ago)

@Kjeld Dutis & @Ren ::

A hispanic male may be the first to do this not only in NYC but in New Jersey and Philadelphia. I always wanted to try one but due to the family that I have to deal with what’s normal and what’s not…Yeah…It will be a bit difficult. Either way I like the Idea. Only in a black color though if it has like a plaid print or a Kanji character print.

Either or…its fine with me.

a*@rayis
Apr 2, 2010 (776 days ago)

@a*@rayis: I used to own a Greek kaftan when I was in high school. My father was dead set against me leaving the house when I wore it, so I totally understand where you’re coming from. What makes you think that hispanic males are more open to this trend?

Kjeld Duits (author)
Apr 2, 2010 (776 days ago)

I am male and having been wearing skirts and kilts for years – they are so stylish and comfortable. I hope that more guys will start to wear skirts in the USA. I prefer ankle-length skirts, especially broomstick skirts, which are so much fun to dance in. I love wearing skirts to concerts, festivals, parties, etc. I get lots of great compliments from the Ladies. My blog is all about guys in skirts (click on the link).

Skirty
Apr 9, 2010 (769 days ago)

@Skirty: As I just commented on your blog, I admire your guts. I think in a macho society like the US it requires a lot more courage than it does in Harajuku, Tokyo. Go for it, man!

Kjeld Duits (author)
Apr 9, 2010 (769 days ago)

@Kjeld – Thanks so much for the comment! Yes, I am a bit nervous wearing my skirts out but so far it I have received only positive comments. However, I am selective on where I wear my skirts – concerts, parties, etc. Contra Dancing is a kind of folk dancing with partners that is pretty open to guys in skirts. At many dances, you may find a couple guys wearing long skirts or kilts. Some of the the dances have “Men in Skirts” dances when they encourage men to try a skirt on for dancing. I have worn a three-tiered skirt to a Contra Dance and had lots of fun spinning and twirling in my skirt. The Ladies gave me lots of support like “Cute Skirt!” and “That skirt looks great on you!” I will keep posting about guys in skirts and hope that the USA becomes more accepting of guys in skirts in the future.

Skirty
Apr 9, 2010 (769 days ago)

@Skirty: Yes, I watched some of the video clips on your blog and was surprised to see guys in skirts. I always thought of contra dancing as something very macho, leather cowboy boots and hats and that kind of thing. The poster or flyer that you posted specifically mentioning “Men in Skirts” was a surprise, too. What also surprised me is how huge these events are—I had no idea they were that popular. Hope to see a lot of you at JAPANESE STREETS! I am sure we will post more photos of men in skirts and I hope they will inspire you.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Apr 9, 2010 (769 days ago)

It is just great when men taking advantage to go skirted. Hard to understand that some men still thinking in old ways. I am a full supporter for mens skirts and dresses, the new male fashion shows what is really possible to get out of the grey, super boring pant-dress style.

martinus
May 1, 2010 (747 days ago)

@martinus: It will be very interesting to see if this is a trend or the start of a paradigm shift.

Kjeld Duits (author)
May 1, 2010 (747 days ago)

Kjeld, I only can talk about my environment, little bit north of Detroit. I am a every day skirt wearer, and wherever I go I got and still get very nice comments from both, men and women. It is like they were waiting for this signal that somebody would start going out of uniformed and grey herd.
And I am VERY public every day. For most people around me it is “normal” that i am going skirted. So far I saw only one man recently in a skirt.

martinus
May 14, 2010 (734 days ago)

@martinus: Cool! Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us.

Kjeld Duits (author)
May 14, 2010 (734 days ago)

I have been wearing kilts for 6 months now almost everyday. Women love them., I get a few silly comments from guys. ( who wish they had the balls to wear one) I have nation kilts , Utilikits, Alpha Kilts and more. If you think about it it makes sence for a guy in skirts.
Tommy

tommy
Sep 8, 2010 (617 days ago)

My site has a pdf file re society persecuting women in pants AND a history of men in skirts tyrannical judges are documented from the extensive public record also restaurants, schools, churches and more. PSYCHIATRY is the BIG ENEMY of our style freedom!

Charles
Sep 8, 2010 (617 days ago)

Look for the spring fashion for women and you’ll see a lot of men’s clothes and helpful advises for women how to wear it. Now think opposite, all what women can wear use it with a manly touch (advise for women: use men’s wear with a feminine touch). I think we are on the right way to go equal, don’t you think?
I am still wearing my very manly styled skirts, maybe I should change a little bit, too.

martinus
Sep 13, 2010 (612 days ago)

I love wearing dresses or skirts and hope that the fashion can go international and accepted internationally.

Adam Spancer
Oct 10, 2010 (585 days ago)

That female judge in Florida should be ousted from the bench for letting women wear more than men!

David
Dec 10, 2010 (524 days ago)

Adam, when you go out in public with your dresses and skirts it is international because you and all men which era changing to skirted garments make the difference. There will be nowhere a law written that “allows” men to do what they want to do, there are only laws which will forbid things which are against other pele, societies or humans. And there is no law existent that will forbid using skirted garments by men.
David, even a judge can’t do anything when people resist. I have a nice neighbor, and in other community dogs must be leashed when outside of the house. His do is always leashed but nobody has the leash in hand. And nobody can do anything about because he is following the law.
So? In case of Florida judge, all men should come in skirts because ..

Mara
Dec 13, 2010 (521 days ago)

Finally !!! Seems men start to get more brave these days.

Gary
Feb 13, 2011 (459 days ago)

Elegante!

I am Rommel Werneck. I am the writer of first Brazilian blog about kilts.

Rommel Werneck
May 2, 2011 (381 days ago)

Pants were spread about by horseback riding. How many men use that transportation today? Skirts are sex neutral. Ask men from ancient Sumeria to modern Fiji.

Charles
Sep 6, 2011 (254 days ago)

@Charles: Great point!

Kjeld Duits (author)
Sep 6, 2011 (254 days ago)

I have found a new freedom in wearing a skirt and stockings. Stockings are essential in colder weather to keep legs warm, as knee length socks are too cold. Remind me of the traditional schoolboy shorts hitched up with braces (suspenders if in the US). I wear the classic stocking types that require suspenders (a garter belt in the US) as I react to those latex bands inside ‘hold-ups’, which don’t, hence the suspenders. I find this all rather interesting as a lady friend who wears a suit with pinstripe trousers wears braces as they make her rear look more shapely. What we all do to be chic and fashionable, sort of!

henri f
Dec 12, 2011 (157 days ago)

@henri: Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading about you and your friend breaking through gender stereotypes. What we all do to be chic and fashionable, sort of! — Yes, truly!

Kjeld Duits (author)
Dec 12, 2011 (157 days ago)

Yes,guys wear skirts.And i am one of them that wears a skirt to work and when im not at work i will wear one.I just dont see what the big deal is.For me wearing a skirt is as normal as brushing my teeth.Dont give it much thought.Prior to WWII women could be arrested and jailed for appearing in public in pants in most U.S. States.
With the onset of the war women went to work in the factories, dressesd and skirts were not practical and sometimes even dangerous. So women began wearing pants to work and it grew from there. So it has only been for around 70 years. One other note is that boys here in America also wore dresses, boys up to 15 yrs. of age, although some or most boys were “Breeched” by 9 years of age. Breeching was when boys were changed over to pants.When a women says she want to wear a pair of pant, society celebrates her right for equality, but when a man say he wants to wear a skirt, his gender identity is brought into question. No one says a woman is crossdressing in pants, no one says that she is a lesbian, so why do we think these things of men. Attitudes towards men’s fashion is extremely sexist and restrictive.Skirts like pants are not “gender specific” like a bra thus are largely unisex! Anyone can wear them but of course there are styles better suited for men and women. Ever notice how women in pants still look like women yet a guy in a skirt will be accused of “cross dressing” or worse yet it is IMPOSSIBLE for women to “cross dress” because they already wear everything from the mans side of the wardrobe. The word should be banned as sexist.

Blake
Jan 2, 2012 (136 days ago)

@Blake: Thank you for sharing. It is time for men’s emancipation. Unfortunately, men’s greatest opponent are other men. Usually not women.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Jan 2, 2012 (136 days ago)

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