Feminising The Male Wardrobe

[Shyheels]

1 hour ago, CAT said:

so would I get into the Ritz in one of my "conservitive "outfits?!??!?!??!??!(no mini with fishnets)

Hmmm…. Interesting. Skirt and jacket and tie? As long as you had the jacket and tie I think you’d be in with a chance. Winder how they would treat a well dressed Scot in a kilt? Although Scots don’t usually wear them except at weddings 

[CrushedVamp]

8 hours ago, Cali said:

I too have a very colorful wardrobe, and very short shortsl. I even have several warm and cousy fuzzy animal print sherpas and vests that women always want to come up and touch.

I haven't worn a suit in over 15 years and can't remember the last time I wore a tie. 

That is the worst thing about having a single suit. Don't get me wrong, every man should have a good fitting suit for just-in-case occasions, but if they only have one... well... every time you see it hanging in the closet you think, "that's what I'll be wearing in my coffin"! 🙂

I did see a guy yesterday wearing shorts. He kind of stood out. It was 3 degrees (F) with 30 mph winds in blowing snow!

13 hours ago, bluejay said:

I don't worry about wearing any color of clothing or footwear. I wear pinks, purples, yellows and reds. You name it I wear it. I like wearing a lot of color. that's why I wear a lot of feminine styles as men's colors are too boring for me. Even my 97 year old father-in-law wears any color shirt with his suits but he doesn't wear heels. LOL

Happy Heeling,

bluejay

I am kind of over the top on matching colors with articles of clothing that I wear. I know this is a high heel site but a lot of times I wear a men's type of canvas shoe that is hard to describe, but there is a lot more color variation with them. That helps me because I almost always match my shoe color to my pants. So if I wear an olive green twill pants I will wear olive green shoes for instance.

I am not judgmental of others because I do understand why they do not care, but at the same time I see a lot of men who do not color coordinate. Its not that I get upset at them or anything, but do know that just a few details like matching colors can make a guy look sharp... or not. I mean tan pants with an olive green shirt? Sure it technically works, but I don't think they realize they also look like a tree.

 

[Shyheels]

I don’t own a suit and can’t see myself ever owning one. I certainly would not wish to be buried in one. That would be so false. Like scumbag burglars wearing suits for their trial. It just wouldn’t ring true. 

[mlroseplant]

Don't worry fellas, I own enough suits to make up for all of you. Lately, I have not usually been wearing the pants that actually go with the suit(s) because I feel a slimmer cut gives me a cleaner silhouette, and I get to show off my heels better that way.

It does not surprise me that a man would have to wear a jacket and a tie to have tea at the Ritz. The question is, what is the female guest dress code for the same activity? I assume a skirt or dress and some decent looking shoes are requirements, but are long sleeves and a high collar?

[Shyheels]

Women get a much better deal with the Ritz. Smart casual will do - but genuinely smart casual, not what passes for that at business class airline lounges which claim to have a rudimentary dress code. You’d gave to dress nicely at the Ritz but as far as I know there’s no specific requirements as there are with men. Women are certainly not required to wear heels.

[bluejay]

I failed to mention in yesterday's post that I also wear many different colors of suit coats in my wardrobe. I have suit coats in pink, purple, yellow, royal blue, kelly green, red, orange and white. My pink coat has a matching pair of pink pants but I think it's too much pink, so I wear the pink jacket with black pants and the pink pants with a black or white jacket. I'm always dressed for church on Sunday wearing a jacket, dress shirt and tie with my heels, just like Melrose. I'm always color co-ordinated and I get compliments from both men and women on my ensembles. The gals all like to see my heels, that I'm wearing, although I have had men compliment me on my choice of heels whether it be shoes, booties or knee boots. That is my winter wardrobe with a suit coat and tie. In the summer time it's a rainbow of polo shirts that I wear to church with dress pants and heels.

Happy Heeling,

bluejay

[Shyheels]

I love colour myself, and although I’ve no suits of any description, I do like to wear bright colours, especially pastels - always gave. Even when I was terrified to acknowledge an interest in heels, I was still happy to wear what are thought of as feminine colours, and was likewise quite willing to buy, say, a Goretex parka from the women’s aisle if I liked the colour.

All this said, there is no way a guy is going to get away with wearing a brightly coloured suit in a law office or corporate environment. Wearing one to church is one thing, but in the business or legal world you’ll face some significant, probably career ending problems

[mlroseplant]

That's just it, isn't it? You have to be rich enough to wear what you want to wear. If I decided to go back to my law career, would I wear what I wear to church to the job interview? Ah, hell no. I mean, I might get by with it, but probably not. To play devil's advocate, could a woman get by wearing a pink suit to a law firm interview? Again, probably not. It's just a matter of, the woman could get by with, and maybe would even be expected to, show at least the bottom half of her legs. I can't.

[Shyheels]

But women can certainly wear colours. Look at photos of those G-7 meetings and such - the female heads of state always stand out a mile because of their bright colours while the men are all identical in cookie-cutter navy blue suits

[Gige]

On 1/8/2025 at 2:57 AM, Shyheels said:

I just noticed this post. Totally agree. Women’s fashion has far more choices, colours and capacity for self expression than men’s. Male fashion is all about conformity and is quite puritanical. I’d much rather be one of the Cavaliers

I wanted to expand on this a bit as it leads to a point worth making. @Shyheels is correct in noting women's clothing offers far more choices in terms of colors, cuts/styles, fit, versus men's clothing. As a result, women do have far more ability to express themselves in what they wear whether it is in a professional, business casual, or a relaxed setting. This, in turn, leads to greater acceptance of what women "can" wear in professional/business casual settings when compared to men. I make my case via a pair of camouflage pants. 

I have struck up a casual friendship with a woman who works in another unit in another part of my office building. She often dresses in what I would describe as "relaxed professional" attire - well fitting jeans, a solid color sweater, "appropriate" make-up and accessories, and modest trainers (for footwear - no flashy colors, etc.). One day not too long ago, she was wearing a black sweater, matched with camouflage dress pants, and black loafers. The pants were clearly dress pants due to their cut, style, and fit - they were certainly not fatigues nor aerobic style tights/leggings. I commented to her that I not only loved her pants but that she wore them into the office in a very stylish manner. She mentioned from where she purchased them (which was a higher end department store) and a short time later, I purchased a very similar pair but from a different store. When the weather warms a bit, I intend to wear them to the office with a some sort of maroon or black top and loafers or kitten/low heels.  I expect that no one will notice/care and if I do so and head out somewhere after the end of the day, to receive a compliment or two. 

I would tend to believe that as women have far more latitude to express themselves via the clothes they wear, wearing a pair of camouflage dress pants to an office will not receive much attention. If a man, however, should do the same, that would clearly be noticed and depending on a variety of factors, may very well be frowned upon even if a relaxed dress code where in place. I will not be shy in suggesting that when it comes to attire in professional environments, women have a much greater ability to express themselves via the clothes they choose to wear. I am indicating that, yes, there is a double standard in place where, in certain situations/environments, male conformity in attire is expected or even demanded. Not that I am at all trying to disparage, belittle, or insinuate any negative comments towards anyone, but at my building, the only men I occasionally see in camouflage attire are the heavy maintenance workers (e.g. HVAC, plummers, etc.).  Although my superiors have established a reasonable dress code for all employees, I would tend to believe that a man wearing camouflage fatigues to the office would not be welcomed. This is the result, in part, of certain clothing holding certain stereotypes for men and women. Camouflage pants/shirts, etc., for a man are "automatically" fatigues but more 'houte couture' for women. Just to prove my point, I recently purchased a well fitting, knee-length camouflage skirt I wore to the office yesterday with rather plain, 3" heel, knee high black leather boots. From my point of view, I felt the outfit looked quite fashionable but I did not receive any comments on the outfit as there were very few other individuals in a work station (still digging out of a snowstorm and arctic cold).

I would also make the same argument for animal print clothing and cargo pants as well.   

Edited Friday at 01:46 AM by Gige
Spelling

[Cali]

Animal prints are fun. I have several I wear to work often. A leopard print hoodie (men's) in green/brown, leopard print sherpa, and a new cheetah print vest. All three get compliments from both men and women whenever I wear them. But I agree, women have more latitude with what they can wear.

I wonder what would happen if I showed up at work in an asymmetrical off-the-shoulder top and a mini skirt? 🙃

Or would they be just as shocked if I showed up in a three piece suit, with tie, ... ?😁🤨

 

 

Edited Friday at 02:55 AM by Cali

[mlroseplant]

I never would have believed that a subject WAY down here at the bottom would take off like this. It must be due to our newer members. Thank you new members, by the way. Although I rail against the inequality, I often voluntarily conform to traditional male standards. I wouldn't mind wearing a tank top, but I figure if I do, I'll either look like a Freddie Mercury wannabe, or .  .  . well, the possibilities don't get better, they get worse from there. Therefore, I always have at least a t-shirt with sleeves and a high collar. The high collar is so that you don't get thick tufts of hair sticking out of a v-neck or scoop neck. I already shave way too much, I ain't shaving my chest also.

On a different subject, @bluejay, where on earth does one actually buy a pink suit (and all those other colors)? And do they have one in a 36 short? 😆

[Shyheels]

I too have been thinking how nice it is to see a topic near the bottom of the board take off - and such a good topic too, so germane to the overall tenor of the site!

As to feminizing the male wardrobe, I have taken a step I’d never thought I would take and have bought myself a skirt - a midi pencil skirt. Here I need to give credit to @CAT for being a positive influence with his outfits, although our tastes are very different. I’ve always liked the look of long skirts paired with tall boots and have increasingly wanted to have something other than skinny jeans with which to pair mine. And so I decided to give it a try - and also to experience the novelty of wearing a skirt, something I’d never tried.

in short, I love it. In fact I’m surprised by how much I like it and even more how natural it feels wearing it. Again, it’s a longer skirt, down to my calves which is something that suits me. I’ve never been a fan of mini skirts and have no desire to wear or try one - it’s just not me, and not because I’m being self conscious.

The midi pencil skirt though very much is me - surprisingly so. I feel very comfortable wearing it, physically and emotionally. And it works really well with my boots. I can definitely see myself acquiring more of these skirts. I really like them.

[pebblesf]

10 hours ago, Cali said:

Animal prints are fun. I have several I wear to work often. A leopard print hoodie (men's) in green/brown, leopard print sherpa, and a new cheetah print vest. All three get compliments from both men and women whenever I wear them. But I agree, women have more latitude with what they can wear.

I wonder what would happen if I showed up at work in an asymmetrical off-the-shoulder top and a mini skirt? 🙃

Or would they be just as shocked if I showed up in a three piece suit, with tie, ... ?😁🤨

 

 

I'm sure they would be shocked if you showed up in a three piece suit...

[bluejay]

4 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

I never would have believed that a subject WAY down here at the bottom would take off like this. It must be due to our newer members. Thank you new members, by the way. Although I rail against the inequality, I often voluntarily conform to traditional male standards. I wouldn't mind wearing a tank top, but I figure if I do, I'll either look like a Freddie Mercury wannabe, or .  .  . well, the possibilities don't get better, they get worse from there. Therefore, I always have at least a t-shirt with sleeves and a high collar. The high collar is so that you don't get thick tufts of hair sticking out of a v-neck or scoop neck. I already shave way too much, I ain't shaving my chest also.

On a different subject, @bluejay, where on earth does one actually buy a pink suit (and all those other colors)? And do they have one in a 36 short? 😆

Mirose, I bought that pink suit on Amazon a few years ago. You're not the first one to ask where I got that pink suit from. As far as the other colors I got them over the years from various stores and possibly on line too. When you're looking for a particular color just google it in. When you're looking for something in particular you can usually find it on line.

Happy Heeling,

bluejay

t

4 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I too have been thinking how nice it is to see a topic near the bottom of the board take off - and such a good topic too, so germane to the overall tenor of the site!

As to feminizing the male wardrobe, I have taken a step I’d never thought I would take and have bought myself a skirt - a midi pencil skirt. Here I need to give credit to @CAT for being a positive influence with his outfits, although our tastes are very different. I’ve always liked the look of long skirts paired with tall boots and have increasingly wanted to have something other than skinny jeans with which to pair mine. And so I decided to give it a try - and also to experience the novelty of wearing a skirt, something I’d never tried.

in short, I love it. In fact I’m surprised by how much I like it and even more how natural it feels wearing it. Again, it’s a longer skirt, down to my calves which is something that suits me. I’ve never been a fan of mini skirts and have no desire to wear or try one - it’s just not me, and not because I’m being self conscious.

The midi pencil skirt though very much is me - surprisingly so. I feel very comfortable wearing it, physically and emotionally. And it works really well with my boots. I can definitely see myself acquiring more of these skirts. I really like them.

Shyheels, I don't like wearing midi or maxi skirts. When I wear skirts or dresses (sweat shirt dresses in the winter, which I have in a rainbow of colors too) I like my hemline to be just above my knee. When it's cold out, I wear them with tights (sometimes fleece lined) or with leggings. In the summer bare legged or with pantyhose. I also like to wear skorts in the summer. With the shorts on the inside of the skort, I like to wear them with a mini hemline. I also love to wear fishnet hose too. I'm not afraid to show off my legs and I'm very comfortable with that look!

Happy Heeling,

bluejay

[Shyheels]

Except for cycling or going to the gym, I almost never wear shorts. Indeed my cycling shorts are ¾ length. It’s just my sense of style rather than concern for how my legs look. In point of fact I’ve rather good legs from many years of cycling and running before that. But wearing shorts, especially short shorts, is just not me. I am surprised though by how much wearing a midi pencil skirt is me! Especially with tall boots.

[Cali]

You crack me up @Shyheels.  No shorts (I call shorts down to your knees capries) but a skirt. I can understand that short shorts are out for the Brits. I've been there in the 'summer' and glad I had my down jacket. But when the temps are over 80 F (26 C) short shorts or shorter are in order.

[Shyheels]

Nope. Bear in mind I’ve spent many years in the tropics and even there, I wore trousers - light weight ones to be sure, but trousers nonetheless. I’m not prudish, I just prefer the look. I have worn shorts on occasion, but rarely. Not as rare as wearing a tie, but rarely.

And my skirt is a midi - calf length. I’d not wear anything much shorter

Edited Friday at 11:08 PM by Shyheels

[pebblesf]

3 hours ago, Shyheels said:

Nope. Bear in mind I’ve spent many years in the tropics and even there, I wore trousers - light weight ones to be sure, but trousers nonetheless. I’m not prudish, I just prefer the look. I have worn shorts on occasion, but rarely. Not as rare as wearing a tie, but rarely.

And my skirt is a midi - calf length. I’d not wear anything much shorter

I've got chicken legs, so usually avoid shorts...

[Cali]

5 hours ago, pebblesf said:

I've got chicken legs, 

Did it come with fries or salad? JK

 

I grew up going to the beach at least 3 days a week in the summer, playing sports, riding bikes.  Some of my friends ran track or other sports. Had a pool ...

Shorts was a way of life, still is at almost 70.

[Shyheels]

I’ve got legs that look good in stilettos - if one was to see a photo of just my legs, in skinny jeans and boots, one would assume, from the presence of heels, that the photo was of a woman’s lower half and think nothing of it.

its one of those things that make me realise that men do not look intrinsically bad in stilettos. It’s the unexpectedness of it that is unsettling, not the look itself

[mlroseplant]

I totally get the whole sensibilities thing. Although I do show my legs when it's warm enough to do so, you will never catch me without a shirt. And it's not because I'm embarrassed about anything underneath the shirt. I'm just not a no-shirt kind of guy. I haven't been swimming in over a decade, ever since I realized I will never complete a triathlon. I have a permanent farmer's tan as a result. My soon-to-be-16-year-old son is also a no-shorts guy like you.

[Shyheels]

I’m definitely with you on the no shirts thing. I always have a shirt on as d as s result have  tan I call a cyclists tan 

Edited Saturday at 10:43 PM by Shyheels

[Mr. X]

On 1/11/2025 at 4:09 AM, Shyheels said:

I’ve got legs that look good in stilettos - if one was to see a photo of just my legs, in skinny jeans and boots, one would assume, from the presence of heels, that the photo was of a woman’s lower half and think nothing of it.

Same here.  I've been told many times, especially in shorts, that I have legs most women would be jealous of.

Edited yesterday at 04:02 AM by Mr. X

[bluejay]

I've had the same comments made to me many times over, that I have legs that most women would love to have. That's why I like to show them off!

Happy Heeling,

bluejay

[Shyheels]

I’m happy enough in my skinny jeans and tall boots. 
 

I’ve always liked longer lengths in clothes. I’ve no short sleeve shirts, and prefer long coats. And if I was ever to try skirts - which I now have and really like - it was always going to be a midi or maxi skirt. I could imagine a knee length pencil skirt worn with tights though. Nothing shorter.

Again, not because of any conservative believe, but purely aesthetics and a personal sense of style