For a long time, skirts have been commonly referred to as women’s wear. In the past, though, they were also worn by men. Men in ancient Greece and Rome wore skirts and the garment was associated with masculinity. The skirts were also a way to show youthfulness and virility. 

In recent years, we have seen a popular trend of fashion designers sending men on the runways wearing skirts. 

Over the last few decades, the fashion industry has evolved, especially in men’s wear. More people are embracing non-binary fashion with influencers, fashion designers, and celebrities showing off the new trends on social and mainstream media. 

A man wearing a skirt is no longer considered strange. Instead, it looks like an average guy on the streets (in some locations). 

Hollywood celebrities like Brad Pitt, Oscar Isaac, Billy Porter, and Lil Nas have joined the fashion trend. They have all been spotted wearing skirts. At the new movie “Bullet Train” premiere in August, Brad Pitt made an appearance wearing a Laidback linen skirt with a pink shirt which made headlines everywhere. Lil Nas also appeared at a concert wearing a pink metallic skirt. 

Men’s fashion has significantly fewer styles compared to women’s outfits. Jeans are generally considered unisex. Nevertheless, wearing a skirt as a man in public is a brave thing to do, and sometimes one can face negative feedback from people. In recent years, more men are getting into the fashion statement and are incorporating skirts into their wardrobes. 

The fashion industry has also helped to normalize male skirts. Designers like Dries Van Noten and Raf Simons have had fashion shows showcasing skirts for men. Internationally recognized fashion brands, such as Versace and Balenciaga have combined their women’s collections with men’s as part of a package. 

Outside Hollywood, the fashion trend is picking up fast. An engineer by the name of Mark Bryan has gained over 500,000 followers on Instagram for his controversial choices of menswear. He posts his daily outfits, which often combine a skirt, shirt, tie, and heels.

 Another fashion blogger, Shivam Bhardwaj on Instagram, @theguyinskirt, also shares photos and videos of himself in skirts, with his over 24,000 followers. Bhardwaj says that the response to his Instagram account has been overwhelming and mostly positive, and that wearing a skirt is becoming socially acceptable. 

Bhardwaj’s interest began when he bought a skirt for a friend and ended up trying it, taking a video, and posting it on social media. He stated that the skirt helped him express himself. While trying out the new look, he said, “I literally thought that no one would ever accept me in my skirts, but people have proved me wrong and accepted me with open arms.”

The hashtag #boysinskirts has gained over 240 million views on social media platforms such as TikTok. It features men showing pictures of themselves in skirts, and gives fashion advice to users. 

Liam Kalhagen, a 19-year-old student, has also enjoyed wearing a skirt. Kalhagen says for him, wearing a skirt is a way of challenging his style and making it more savvy. He also stated that people are becoming more receptive and less judgmental of skirts for men.