Sorry for the weird question, don’t know how else to word it. Basically I’m job hunting and I’m realizing the dress code is gonna be an obstacle.
I exclusively wear skirts and dresses. Not for a religion – I’m agnostic – but for sensory reasons. I hate pants. I hate how they feel on my legs and I haven’t worn them in almost 10 years now. I understand the need to wear pants for some jobs because they’re ultimately safer than a flowy skirt, but one of the jobs I’ve applied to is a bank. I doubt the building is a skirt deathtrap behind the scenes.
Honestly the idea of having to wear pants is so upsetting I’m breaking down over it. It’s so stupid but after I finally found a way to feel comfortable when I started wearing skirts, I don’t think I can go back even if the job is better than my current one.
My only idea is to get some kind of doctors note but even that seems unlikely. Hoping for other ideas here.
Likely, since you didn’t mention it, you don’t want your gender to be an issue. That’s not the world we live in. If you present as male and want to wear a skirt, the only possible option at bigger corporations is a kilt, but then you’ll need to lean into being “Scottish”. You might find more acceptance at a small business, even a smaller bank, perhaps, depending on where you are.
If you present as female, then I don’t know what to say, I’ve never heard of a job that requires trousers for women apart from for safety reasons.
There’s also the much less known Fijian Sulu.
Probably much harder to pull off outside of the Pacific, because it’s not as well-known, but the way they wear it in Fiji can look pretty damn sleek and professional.
It’s a unisex piece of clothing, too.
I present male and I wear skirts to work. The boss said the dress code was black trousers and I said I don’t wear pants. Never been an issue
That said, it’s totally nerve-wracking to make that stand. If an employer refuses on anything other than a safety concern then it’s just bigotry, straight up.
Don’t work for bigots - which can be a difficult stance to take when you don’t know how you’re going to make rent. People don’t deserve to be put in this position, but as you say it’s the world we live in
I salute you o7, the era of men in skirts is long overdue for a comeback.
Know a friend (male obviously) that likes to wear high heels when going outside their hometown.
His reason why outside: Hometown is small and no need for drama.
When I joined him I saw mixed reactions. Some took covert pictures while giggling, some looked twice and some seemed even impressed at the choice.
They were about 10cm high.
And I am not afraid of being seen with him because they look awesome!
Given the rarity of seeing someone present as a man but wearing heels, I would probably fit into the 2nd and 3rd groups there.
In that position, I would wear a skirt in public way before heels though.
Hats off to those that choose em, but for anything longer than a twirl around the room, they look agonizing. So like 30s to a minute I guess it would just be uncomfortable, but after that I feel like my feet would implode and need therapy to work again.
Oooof, I know exactly what you are talking about. Wild how some people lose all decorum when they encounter someone any flavour of non-conforming out and about, right? In my case it’s just how I look,no matter how I dress, I’ve dealt with it all my life. But honestly props to your friend for just being his authentic self, It takes courage.
I enjoy seeing people be different!! I admit I may stare for a second but thats because I find it interesting.
Sometimes when out with the in laws they have to whisper among themselves about how “weird” something is or outright be like “is that person gay?” And I’ll say I’m not sure, it doesn’t affect you, and their clothes are fabulous arent they??
Fricken old boomers man. They love to whisper among themselves at anyone who’s not straight and white. Its their culture.
I found the reactions to be quite funny.
They werent doing it in avery obvious way but I catched their glance once the noticed the foot gear and the behavior changed so I knew what they were trying to achieve when angling the phone a certain way.
Honestly if it helps promoting the takedown of bs gender society rules and normalize so everyone can wear what they like, I’m (and my mate are) all for it.
Because remember: Men wore heels originally ;)
Modern kilts tune down the Scottishness. It can basically be a skirt. A manly man’s skirt, with pockets.
Example: https://21stcenturykilts.com/kilts
Utilikilt!
But those can hardly be called skirts.
They are obviously more rugged.
I could see that going in something like an outdoor job but not at a bank or insurance corp.
They’re quality garments, high fashion here in Scotland - the sort of thing a modern man would wear at his wedding rather than an old-fashioned “full Highland dress” type of kilt.
First full frame picture on the web page:
I am not looking through every product…
Why not? Too informal?
Yep.
You wont be seen in jeans at a bank.
Same for a summer dress (regardless of gender, sex or whatever)
Personally I couldnt care less but society ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
There is no technical reason a man can’t wear a skirt. The society you live in may “frown” upon it. But that’s a different issue to address entirely
Don’t forget the sarong as another male alternative. Flipping great in the weather it developed in.