Today, we welcome Darryl from England to Profiles of Beskirted Men!
What is your name?
Darryl
Where are you from?
Stowmarket, England
Which types of gender non-conforming clothing do you enjoy wearing?
Skirts & tights, skinny jeans with heeled boots. I have a few dresses, but I’ve not built up the courage to go out in them yet. I wear skirts and Vans at work nearly everyday.
When did you start wearing gender non-conforming clothing?
Lockdown. I know, this has become almost a cliché. But the freedom to express myself empowered me to be myself. So when I went back to the office, I did so in a jean skirt.
How did you start wearing gender non-conforming clothing and why?
Baz Lurhmann and Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do something that scares you every day,” I feel a little scared every time I leave the house, but it’s also a very real buzz. I do it because it makes me happy.
What is your motivation now for putting on gender non-conforming clothing?
I don’t feel myself in trousers, quite simply that.
What do gender non-conforming clothes mean to you?
Happiness. I love the extra clothing choices, colour matching options and tailoring I can play with.
How often do you wear gender non-conforming clothing?
Everyday. Almost without exception.
Do you go out in public dressed in gender non-conforming clothes? If not, why not? If so, how often and where do you go? Are there any places you wouldn’t go?
I do. I would be miserable if I didn’t, I definitely get a euphoria from feeling comfortable in my clothes and skin.
Do you find it hard to go out in public in gender non-conforming clothes?
I do, but I still do it. Dresses are my next challenge.
What is your best and/or worst experience in gender non-conforming clothes?
Best- I often get compliments from ladies at work about my skirt choices. Which is lovely. Worst- like you, at a train station: 20~ish chap said as loud as he could said, “You’re in a skirt!!”. All I could say as load as he was, “You’re correct” his mate just dragged him by the arm down the platform. I had palpitations all day after that.
Do your family or friends know about how you dress?
They do, I’ve been very public about it for the last two years. Even at family functions.
Are there people you don’t want to know about it?
If I ever had to change jobs, I worry about interviews and new people. But that’s not an issue right now.
Does your partner accept your clothing choices?
He does. Although, he can be vocal about preferring me to be manly. And that he hates me in a flowery skirt. He’s a bit older than me, it is all a bit new to him. He’s getting there
What is your favorite style?
T-shirt, denim skirt and tights. Sometimes with heeled boots or with Vans.
Where do you shop for your clothes?
M&S, Yours, Bonmarché and Amazon. My favourite bedding Bonmarché.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’m definitely trying to live by the rule clothes have no gender. But, I’m still fighting my own internal demons about what “others” think are acceptable.
Do you have any links you would like to share (i.e. social media profiles or websites)?
NotDarryl @ Instagram
Thank you for sharing, Darryl!
If you would like to have your profile featured in Profiles of Beskirted Men, take a look at the post I wrote about it for more details.
Yeah, I also own few dresses but no way to wear that at this point. Also this quote about doing things that scare one is really spot on. Good that you get some positive feedback about your outfits as well.
I agree about the quote! It really is spot-on!