Men's Skirt: Origin, Tips, and Inspiration

Did you know that the men's skirt is a trending fashion item lately? Then buckle up, because here comes a long text! But first, I suggest you open your mind, because even if this idea seems strange to you, we need to demystify the use of this garment considered exclusive to women's looks – wrongly, of course!

How will we do this? First, let's understand where this trend comes from.

The Men's Skirt is Older Than It Seems

It's a mistake to think that you don't need to go far back in history to understand where the men's skirt trend came from. In biblical stories from the Old Testament – hundreds of years before Christ – there are descriptions that suggest that men's clothing would have included a skirt, which was later transformed into a tunic, similar to the clothing of Egyptians and Arabs.

Image: The use of skirts by ancient peoples - Reproduction (Article: Men's Skirt: Origin, Tips and Inspirations)

In Ancient Greece, Greeks are also portrayed in historical documents wearing men's skirts, but they considered it a gender-neutral garment. On the other hand, in the Roman Empire, men wore togas, where fabrics, colors, and lengths determined the social class to which they belonged. For example, slaves and plebeians only wore a single-layer tunic, while nobles wore several layers, and their skirts reached their knees.

There are indications that African ethnic groups like the Maasai and Samburu also brought the culture of the men's skirt and influence contemporary style, as do the Scots with the kilt and the samurai with the hakama.

The Men's Skirt Can Be a Controversial Piece Because It Causes Strangeness

We need to talk about this. It's already been explained that the men's skirt is older than we might imagine. In many cultures, it is a common model even today.

Can you now understand why Brazilian society doesn't grasp it? And there's no need to delve into the topic of gender and sexuality; just reflect on it.

There's still a long way to go before the men's skirt is truly accepted naturally in Brazil. Abroad, we can see men in skirts unafraid to be bold, even among celebrities like Brandon Wilson, Jared Leto, Jaden Smith, Keiynan Lonsdale, among many others.

Therefore, our aim with this article is to break the taboo that stems from structural machismo, which implies that a skirt is not "manly," as many cool men, of all styles, ages, and sexual orientations, have already embraced its use. It might seem strange to see a man in a skirt for the first time, but just remember that many other clothes also faced prejudice before becoming trends.

The Men's Skirt and Its Inspirations

Fashion's versatility brings the men's skirt into a reality of boldness, strength, and authenticity. To wear it, it's good to know the styles and how to combine them. Shall we?

First, it's important to remember that the Scottish skirt, the kilt, is the most popular and classic. Some experts don't even consider it a men's skirt, based on the assumption that 'kilt' is like a cloak attached to clothing to protect from the cold. Part of the Scots also claim it's not a skirt. But regardless, we still see it as a piece that has for centuries represented a very strong cultural trait of this European people.

Image: KACE Advancing Collection (Article: Men's Skirt: Origin, Tips and Inspirations)

On the other hand, street style – or urban style – is gaining popularity among contemporary youth. The men's skirt in this outfit comes in neutral colors and light fabrics, and can be long or knee-length. In this option, it can be worn layered over trousers, also in neutral colors, making it a great alternative for colder days. The long skirt can be worn with a jacket or longline shirt, sneakers or dress shoes, and regardless of the occasion, whether a more formal party or an informal gathering, just have the right attitude and the rest of the pieces will combine by themselves.

Image: KACE and Canva Archives (Article: Men's Skirt: Origin, Tips and Inspirations)

Now you know that the men's skirt can become a key piece in any man's wardrobe. Feeling like trying it? Analyze it carefully, get inspired by the concepts, test the look, and when you're ready to be bold, go for it!