This is a fun question. I'd propose that people wearing clothing styles that are contrary to tradition occurs where there's acceptance and encouragement for play and self-expression, generally. From that perspective, I'm landing on the thought that it's not a "which came first," the flourishes or the skirts, but rather what came first is an environment that nurtures the extra curlicue or do-dad for no reason other than it's someone's idea of fun.
To share some of my rabbit hole as I explored skirted clothing and dance, here're a few videos I enjoyed seeing: Skirts for dance without twirls: "HAWAII - 1960s - Men and women perform hula dances in grass skirts in Hawaii." https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-3417132785-hawaii---1960s-men-women-perform-hula "Solomon islands - 1931 - in this ethnographic film, alleged cannibals of the solomon islands are introduced as a particularly bloodthirsty tribe." https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1110464247-solomon-islands---1931-this-ethnographic-film Pina Bausch!! The most ordinary clothing is a costume. IDAS FRÜHLINGSOPFER | THE RITE OF SPRING | Pina Bausch https://youtu.be/z3vZeAmcjf4?si=UAXnjHvk6hDUT9-Q Comic dance. Swan Lake Act II - Little Swans - Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo https://youtu.be/F83BbbtoX8Q?si=2srNnSp3AzdFJjyx Graham. Martha Graham performing “Letter to the World” (also called “The Kick”), 1940. Photo by Barbara Morgan (public domain) https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martha-Graham Hope you enjoy those. Rob Conway, AR - - - - - - - - - - - - Robert Matson Innovation Media Corp. The Innovation Works, Inc. Cell: (917) 626-2675 > > > > On Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 8:30 PM David Chandler via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > > I started dancing in NY/NJ in the 1970's, and called contra and English > until mid-80's - and then had about a 15 year hiatus. Before my break I > only remember one male (to judge from facial and body hair) who regularly > wore dresses or skirts to dances. After I returned to dancing, there was a > gradual increase, though in the beginning it seemed some men chose kilts as > a way to mute the statement. And then.... > > > > I should note that my memory is not known for being accurate, so this is > just an observation, not a definitive statement. A source for more > extensive information would be CDSS, which has pictures from camps for many > years; and the Pinewoods archives also have many pictures. If one lives > near the U. of New Hampshire, the CDSS archives are there and should be a > useful source. > > > > David > > > > On Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 7:42 PM Joe Harrington via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> > >> Seems the edge of memory here so far is around 1990. Does anyone have > access to a photo or video archive from before, say at the CDSS? > >> > >> —jh— > >> > >> > >> On Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 7:25 PM Bob Hofkin via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > >>> > >>> On 09/11/2024 15:11, Louise Siddons via Contra Callers wrote: > >>> > separate the garment from its gendered connotations > >>> > >>> Louise, > >>> > >>> I started wearing skirts because they were more comfortable than jeans > >>> over a fairly substantial knee brace. Turns out they are better for > >>> ventilation, too. > >>> > >>> I definitely enjoy the twirl effect, and find the skirt a practical > tool > >>> for guiding the directionally-challenged through a hey. I've had fun > >>> making up silly answers when asked why I'm wearing a skirt, always > >>> trying to communicate the contra community's openness and acceptance, > >>> which goes far beyond fashion choices. > >>> > >>> Bob H (Nevada) > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > >>> To unsubscribe send an email to > [email protected] > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > >> To unsubscribe send an email to > [email protected] > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > > To unsubscribe send an email to > [email protected] >
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