I remember, many years ago now, being involved in some research into prevention of infected wounds during operations in hospitals. We were using some fancy photographic stuff to image the air flow around the body of the patient and the surgeon and assisting staff, and were able to show how at the hem of a skirt the air convection currents carried airborn bscteria up outside and AWAY from the person wearing it. There was only a slight convection cutrrent at the hems of trousers, sometimes insufficient to carry airborn bacteria away from the wearer.

So the conclusion, which was counter-intuitive as in those days female as well as male surgeons dressed totally enclosed inside what was called a "Charnley Suit", to protect both parties from cross-infections, was that normsal femle attire was more hygienic.

As for warmth, well, unless the air was warmed it would not rise, would it?

We were still not able to get the boys to dress in skirts though!

Briar

You think only men are interested in the mechanics of things? Rather a sweeping statement. One of the best engineers who worked for me was a young woman (and a very pretty one at that) whilst one of the most mechanically incompetent I ever came across was a male with a first in maths. Neither were unique examples of their gender. Another mechanically adept female is my SO who wields a nifty spanner when its needed and an equally nifty embroidery needle at other times. She's also considerably more able than I when it comes to the manipulation and mechanics of soft and flexible materials. How things work in practice (ie the 'mechanics') is important to all genders.

Generalisations are always wrong ;)

On the original question: I've seen a few women out shopping in long skirts recently in our cold and snowy weather and my first thought was that they appeared to be rather impractical. First the hem tended to sweep the snow, get wet and the dampness wick upwards. Second they obscured the wearer's feet and hence the potentially icy patches on the pavement. It's also difficult to lift them clear on steps if your hands are otherwise engaged. We've both had a few tumbles as it is, even wearing good hiking boots and trousers. Of course as I've only ever tried long skirts indoors, I have no practical experience and my comments are pure conjecture.

Robi