Wearing a kilt to work

[Mr. Woolery]

Belson, sad to say it, but workplace attire is not a matter of "rights." You wear what the bosses want you to, within the limits of decency. At least in the case of any professional sort of job. And a whole lot of pass-through jobs, too. If the boss says "no" to a kilt, you don't wear it or complain about rights. It is likely the company has a posted dress code. I've worked places that require men and women to wear slacks. Black slacks. No other attire is considered acceptable. That was back when I worked at the local Subway and was making sandwiches all day. The customers could not see my legwear and the sandwiches certainly didn't care if I had on pants, shorts, jeans, or a kilt. But the boss said all employees must wear slacks while earning our $6.50 per hour. So, that's what we did.

Oh, and personal pet peeve, here. See that big button on your keyboard that has an arrow pointing toward the screen, that says "Shift" on it? If you hold that down when you type the first letter of each sentence, it makes reading your messages a whole lot more pleasant for me and many like me. Thanks!

Adam, any workplace that is accepting enough to allow men to step outside of the norm deserves the respect of at least dressing tastefully while wearing the kilt. I consider myself sort of a kilt ambassador when I wear mine and make an effort to look good enough that men envy me and women envy my wife. (I'm afraid that the physical side of it is getting in the way, but the clothing looks pretty darned good, I have to say.)

For a casual Friday, I also suggest a polo shirt or short-sleeved solid-color buttoning shirt with a solid color kilt. White shirt and plain black tie works great with almost any tartan. For a little less dressy, just the white shirt, or a powder blue if the tartan is fairly dark. Just so the colors don't clash. With a tartan kilt, it is good to wear kilt hose and black shoes, even if you don't wear the garter flashes. Soccer socks can sometimes work for impromtu kilt hose if you don't have anything else. If anyone says it looks too dressy for a casual Friday, consider that a form of permission to dress it down a little next time.

-Patrick

[Daaaaang]

Just to say, belson, I say you should type the way you want. I hate capital letters and only use them because I'm used to it from writing so many papers. I like reading your posts.

[macwilkin]

Just to say, belson, I say you should type the way you want. I hate capital letters and only use them because I'm used to it from writing so many papers. I like reading your posts.

Let's keep the discussion on kilts, please.

T.

[ChromeScholar]

I'm lucky, in that I am the boss. I'm the one who sets the dress code. I stick to business casual for myself, but my staff and volunteers wear whatever they want (as long as it is clean, neat and not revealing). I plan on wearing a kilt to work at least once a week this year.

[Andrew Breecher]

In the past four years I've only worn trousers to work on Hallowe'ens. The best advice I can give is don't feel self-conscious about wearing the kilt. If you can forget you're wearing it that's the perfect state to be in. It'll help if you're used to wearing it around the house, so you know how to sit naturally, that kind of thing. As for what to wear with it, as others have said, I'd say it's best to wear it as if you've got on khaki trousers.

Andrew.

[davedove]

What everyone has said here is pretty much right on the mark. The only thing I would add is if you decide to wear a jacket, DON'T wear a standard cut sports coat or jacket. They are too long for wear with the kilt and just look wrong. If you wear a jacket, make sure it's cut for the kilt. You can see many examples in the pictures others have posted.

[Jerry]

I can't say what you should wear to work, other than to take the advice the others have given because I'm a retired old fart. And, I wouldn't have been allowed to wear kilts to work anyhow, due to safety regulations. I do, however,want to say, "welcome to the board from another kilted Virginian."

[GreenDragon]

i wore mine once to work on a Saturday (a few people were in for Overtime). wore my SWK Irish National with a Dubliner t-shirt.

The Divisional VP saw me, basically said how cool it was and asked if they could put a picture of me on the division's website.

i guess wearing a kilt can get you noticed in Good ways.


Next time i wear one in will be on casual friday's. i'll probably wear my new SWK Black Watch with a black polo shirt. (i do need some kilt socks though. i was thinking of getting a couple of black pairs. thoughts?)

[SteveB]

I have found that a polo shirt is best at work with a solid colour kilt. I wore my first kilt around the house long enough to be comfortable with it on as if it was natural to me. The first time at work, I had forgotten that I had on a kilt. Got surprised by a few compliments. Much easier today than when many years ago I wore my kilt to school.
That said any UK looks good with a polo shirt of solid or design. I wear a solid long sleeve shirt with any of my Tartan kilts (see my avatar) and am noticed for the confidence I have in myself to pull it off. ( Bigger bonus checque this year.)
--- Steve

[sblanck]

I have worn kilts to the office for some time now. I did ask permission each and everytime at a new employer. One employer let me wear any day of the week, another is just on fridays. Currently I have worn it once on friday at my newest job. I just wear a button down long sleeved shirt since its cold or a nice heavy sweater with heavy knot work on it looks real good. In the summer a short sleeved polo is also nice. I always wear my ghillies, I did wear doc martin high tops but it never really looked right to me. The ladies why is it they always ask about my underwear or lack of it.

Sean