Men In Skirts

"When you put it that way," I said, "I guess it's okay."  That was after reading the caption under the fashion mag's show photos of  men in skirts and dresses along with the comment "So? Women wear pants." True. Men wore skirts not all that many centuries ago. They also tippied about in high heels, not that some men don't wear them today disguised as up-your-height loafers. Men also layered elaborate lacy coats with flaring hems and ruffles at their necks in those days over brocaded vests and flaunting silken hankies. The men were, in fact, with their curled locks, often wigged ones, prettier than women. But those were men who didn't do much but fuss with their wardrobes and make-up so as to make a good impression at court. That was court; it wasn't down in the streets where men and women had better things to do and dressed themselves in attire that allowed for movement and actual labour. Furthermore their budgets couldn't stand the cost. While I can't argue that men should be given the choice of wearing whatever they please as long as it's clean and decent (whatever that means in whatever society) I continue to think that the only reason women reverted to pants or slacks or jeans is that they give freedom to get about without restrictions. Rosie the Riveter at the side of a warship during the WWs, wasn't about to do her job in an apron and a mini-skirt. When I had the pleasure of working in classrooms with little ones, a big skirt and boots were the dress of the day. You could crawl about on the rug with the kids doing crafts or sit on a tiny chair for a chat with them in perfect comfort. The big skirt or trousers, gave lots of freedom and the boots didn't require those horrid things called panty hose. THE fashion magazine showed a recent fashion show with men plying the ramps in their brightly coloured, uniquely designed tunics, togas, skirts and dresses. Surprisingly, these formerly exclusive to female garments,  looked very male at the show, but with a looser, more decorative take. Some costumes were beyond what you might see on the sidewalk but what high fashion show doesn't stretch the imagination? Scottish males have been wearing the kilt for a very long time, too, and what lady's heart doesn't skip a beat when she sees a Scot marching along in full regalia, kilt a-whirl and bagpipes a-skirl? Take it a bit further, and there is romantic Lawrence of Arabia in flying white cottons atop his steed, plying the desert sands full tilt. Day by day we are getting closer and closer to eliminating the no in life when it comes to what men, women or any gender can have the freedom to do - and wear.  One day perhaps all that matters will be who one is and not what.