Expert: Chris - 5/25/2011

Question
QUESTION: I'm an aspiring cheerleader, and since cheerleading is considered a "girl's sport," under Title IX, I've been given the option to wear a uniform like the girls on the squad (I'm a boy.) and wear a skirt, or go the traditional route and wear pants

What would be the advantages of going with the skirt?
What would be the advantages of going with the pants?

Thanks! <3

ANSWER: If I were you I would wear pants. First of all, in my opinion, the skirts are pretty uncomfortable. If I had the option to wear pants I sure would! The advantages to a skirt are if it's hot outside then if you're in pants it might be a little warm, but when it's cold out a skirt would be cold. Maybe you could get shorts? I've seen boys on teams with shorts and pants. I don't think I've ever seen one with a skirt on though. So I'd go with the pants. But hey, if you WANT to wear a skirt. Wear a skirt! It's up to you. But like I said, the skirts are pretty uncomfortable (I get told I complain a lot though so maybe that's just me LOL)! Another disadvantage to a skirt is when you jump, tumble, etc. they tend to fly up and then you have to fix them all the time. That can be kind of annoying.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I've tried the skirt on, I thought it was pretty comfortable.
Being cold is never a problem in the conditions we cheer in, but being hot is.

So I'm thinking I'll go with the skirt, unless there's anything else I should know about either one?
Is it bad that I'm wearing the skirt because it's cute?

Thanks!

ANSWER: Wear the skirt then! One of the reasons I'm still cheering is because I think the uniform/skirt is cute, so no that's not a bad reason at all! And if you think it's comfortable then I'm probably just picky. Everyone tells me that anyways. Shorts are another option if you're only wearing the skirt so you won't be hot, but if you like the skirt wear the skirt. Either option will work fine. it sounds like you're leaning towards skirt which is totally okay. Go with the skirt and enjoy it!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: And ONE more thing, some people are telling me pants because I'll be "exposed" when doing jumps and tumbles, but I'm going to be wearing underware. Is this a problem? (One that note, what underware would you suggest I wear?)

Also, if I blended in with all the girls, our squad could still be taken seriously at competitions, right?

Answer
Yes, you'll still be taken seriously at competitions. I wouldn't worry about that. And as far as being "exposed" the girls wear briefs so you should try to find underwear that's the same color or close to the same color as your skirt or their briefs.