Kilted Work Attire (Delivery Truck)

[CDNSushi]

Hey rabble,

It's been a long time since I've posted anything of note, so I thought I'd liven things up with a bit of a photographic update on what I've been up to. It's come to my attention that modern, utility-style kilting has fallen by the wayside quite a bit here on XMarks in favour of more traditional wear, which includes tartan kilts, and accessories such as kilt pins, sporrans, sgians, etc... Well, that's all fine and good, but I want to explore modern kilted attire a bit more. C'mon guys! I know you're out there in the woodwork somewhere! (Note that this is not a thread for the discussion of the merits of trad vs. modern though). The purpose is to merely give the rabble an idea of how one member (me) is wearing a modern kilt as everyday wear.

So here's the quick background. For the past months I've been working a part-time delivery job that involves driving a cube van all around greater Victoria with fresh, organic veggies. Over a month ago, I was having a conversation with one of the company's owners and the topic of clothing came up. I mentioned something about wishing to ensure that I presented the company in a positive light, and looked appropriate for the sake of our clients. To which, she informed me that while this was commendable, they were 100% behind all their employees being able to express themselves freely in their choice of attire, and that was more important to them than the opinions of their customers. Nice. So I took that as a great cue to start wearing comfortable clothing while I spend hours in a non-air-conditioned truck driving all around town.

I realize that there are many employers who are not nearly so open-minded, but I just thought I'd share a happy success story of one that IS, and perhaps it might help someone somewhere down the line, to see and to know that it's possible to combine kilted attire with practicality (my job IS a bit dirty at times) and professionalism.

So... No negative comments from anyone, much less my employer, and customers often make very positive remarks. In particular, I would say that the most compliments AND questions about the kilt come from kitchen staff (chefs, cooks, sous-chefs, etc). One of the best ones was a Chinese cleaning lady in one restaurant who smiled and remarked in somewhat broken English, "You wear skirt. Look good!" I didn't even correct her on the use of the word skirt. I just smiled back and said, "Thank you. It's very comfortable."

Anyway... Here's me back at the farm with one of our boxes. (Oh, and my boss took this photo).

[mookien]

You look like a hale, hearty, and happy workman shouldering (literally) your load. Very nice working "uniform". Thanks for posting the pic. Sounds like you have a great employer, too.

The only thing is that with the exception of your neon bandanna, you appear a bit matchy-matchy. Just kidding.

[416 Rigby]

Hello, from across the Strait!

Looking good! Nice when your boss has that kind of mindset. I'm pleased to report that mine is just as cool. I have the same Damn Near Kilt 'Em Sport Utility you have. I wear it on Fridays. I'll get a MacKenzie tartan casual from USAK next but for now the khaki is a practical and inexpensive kilt.

Yes, some folks don't like them, but the comments I've received have all been positive. Yesterday we received a call from a tenant that water was leaking from her ceiling, presumably from the apartment above. I went over to investigate ahead of the plumber and shut off the water. The lady said "It's not every day a man in a kilt comes to the rescue!" We had a chuckle about it and things like that can make a bad situation a bit more tolerable, and yes, you do present a positive image of your company.

Kilt on...

[CDNSushi]

You look like a hale, hearty, and happy workman shouldering (literally) your load. Very nice working "uniform". Thanks for posting the pic. Sounds like you have a great employer, too.

The only thing is that with the exception of your neon bandanna, you appear a bit matchy-matchy. Just kidding.

Lol! The bandana is swag, courtesy of Palm Bay... And otherwise, while I wasn't purposely going for a matchy look, I did consciously choose mainly earth tones that day.

[Hawk]

416 Rigby, photos man photos......you know the rules....

CDN Sushi, you're looking healthy and good there.....well done and comfortable look.

Here's one back at you, taken after an 8 hour day ( aprox 10-14 miles on my feet ) working, with a fellow co-worker after he asked for a photo with me....

Hawk

[416 Rigby]

Sorry, Hawk. I wasn't about to ask a woman to take my photo as I shut off her water heater. Her closet was flooded and she wasn't having the best of days at that point. It would have been a good action shot, though. lol

[Mike in Dayton]

Looks good. I have a denim version of that kilt, or at least one that looks very much like it. Good application for that type of kilt.

Mike

[kiltedrennie]

Thank you for reviving this topic!

I've been wearing traditional kilts casually for a while now. Planing to make a utility kilt for more comfortable daywear. My daughter recently purchased a canvas utility kilt which requires a bit of ironing after a wash. What is you favorite material for a utility kilt? What weight? I'm considering a cotton polyester blend, like the material used for Docker brand khaki slacks.

[Pleater]

Since you ask - not wishing to derail the thread, but to make my own kilts I tend to look for fabrics which are more flexible than canvas - thicker threads, more easily bent cloths, as they are easier to work with.

Once you have done a few kilts and are familiar with how you need to shape the kilt to fit well then it is not so important, but it is not easy to make a fine thread close woven fabric into pleats which lie straight and true without quite a bit of easing and tweaking off the grain.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[CMcG]

That's a cool boss you have, CDNSushi.