The uniform of the patriarch

For thousands of years, men ruled the world with iron fists and were the decision makers. But the decisions have had devastating effects on the globe and society. Our society is suffering and so is fashion.

I find men’s fashion at the blunt end of any sort of innovation. The worst thing to ever be introduced was the uniform of the patriarch: The Suit.

First designed in bright colours and flamboyance, it became a dark drudgery of cloth. The only hint of elegance and individuality was the coloured noose applied around the neck.

The Tuxedo is the best example of conformity and so-called masculinity. The tux has taken any thinking from the man. Was he too busy running the world, or just a victim of the sober society he created for himself ?

Look at any awards night where ‘formal’ wear is required. Women in beautifully designed and colourful dresses and gowns, with accessories to rival a car built in the 50’s.

What is the man wearing? A tux. If you put a bag over his head, the wives and girlfriends would never be able to tell them apart.

Skirts and flowing robes were once commonplace. They were replaced by breeches for horse riding and then trousers.

Now the patriarchal man is a fashion victim. Designers have toyed with many ideas of what men’s fashion could become, but the retail sector is still run by the same mentality that doesn’t want to upset the status quo. Men only wear skirts as protest or if others are wearing them too.

So where does this leave me?

Well, I too love a skirt. I tried one and found a new sense of comfort and in our current climate, coolness. I also like leggings and a number of other close fitting items society seems to battle with. Why? I like them, and as an individual I have the right to wear them.

The issue is the way the patriarchal society has condemned men to wear what is ‘masculine’.

Skirts have now become the domain of women. Breeches became leggings and the domain of women. Hosiery and high heels were all masculine but the French revolution came and the suit became a symbol of revolution and protest.

Men’s shorts have lengthened and swimwear has become baggy. Shirts are loose and colours restricted to blacks, blues and browns. Many of these changes happened in the past 30 years.

Our society has also given women a large say in men’s clothing. I dare you to run a Google search on any aspect of alternative men’s clothing and not find a howl of female protest. Each time the idea of men’s skirts or men’s leggings is put forth, more women hound the idea down than men because of the lies society have fed them about what a man is and what a man wears.

I have seen the sad end to many a man’s fashion dreams when the wives go ballistic if he wants to wear a skirt or pantyhose.

Unless things change, men are stuck in a fashion wilderness with horrible clothing and the fear of stares and harassment because we wanted change in our wardrobe with the things that we want to wear. Clothing should be more than just protection. You have to be happy and comfortable.

It’s a man’s world...