First day kilted at work in New Mexico.

[Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM]

Well, my daughter is treating me to a night out at a local pub (Two Fools Tavern) in honor of National Tartan Day (USA - April 6).

So I happened to mention it to my boss - who then had many questions about National Tartan Day and "Things Scottish" in general -- and ended up asking me if I wanted to wear my kilt to work that day . After a couple of "hmmm"s, I said "Sure".

Note: I've never worn my kilt except to an event where there were others of similar attire so this will be a first for me (and also a first, I believe, for where I work).

Now I come to the question of what to wear...

I have the kilt (16oz tank), a couple of off white Jacobite style shirts, 2 pair kilt hose (1 black, 1 off white), tartan flashes, black ghillie brogues, Prince Charlie jacket and 3-button vest, a belt with shiny flat buckle, a non-formal sporran, and a Glengarry cap with the MacMillan cap badge on it. I also have a matching tartan tie and also a tie and cummerbund set in an alternate MacMillan tartan.

My normal business attire (technically business casual) is a nice pair of pants, a button down shirt, a western buckle (I have several) and cowboy boots (polished of course). I rarely wear a jacket or tie -- and when I do, I'm always asked if I'm interviewing for a job somewhere else .

The PC jacket and associated items are definitely too dressy for work and for the pub -- ditto the tie(s) and cummerbund.

After talking it over with my daughter, we've tentatively decided on the following:

Kilt.
Burgundy button-down shirt which matches part of the tartan (yes, matchy-matchy is good ).
Black kilt hose with the tartan flashes.
Ghillie brogues (a bit dressy but oh so Scottish).
Cap, belt, sporran, sgian dhu, etc.

What thinkest thou?

[azwildcat96]

Sounds like a winner, although only you would know what is appropriate for your place of employment. Perhaps the cap and sgian dubh could be left at home?

[Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM]

Sounds like a winner, although only you would know what is appropriate for your place of employment. Perhaps the cap and sgian dubh could be left at home?

You may have a point about the sgian dhu (although I think my normal pocket knife has a longer blade). I think I'll leave that one in the car while at work.

I always wear a hat outdoors (burned the bald spot too many times) but take it off when I go inside -- part of the hat-iquette my "elders" instilled within me.

Thanks for the input!

Rob

[Whidbey78]

I think it sounds good, but would suggest two changes:
Maybe leave the sgian dubh out even if it's allowed where you work. It might make some people uncomfortable. If co-workers haven't seen you kilted before, or at least not enough to be really used to it, it could turn them off to it. Better to let them focus on the fact that you look sharp in a kilt rather than thinking about the knife in your sock, even though they probably know you carry one anyhow.

Skip the ghillie brogues. They're probably "too much" for business attire. Some regular brogues or even a pair of oxfords will do the job very nicely.

Keep it simple and it will go just fine.

[Mikilt]

I agree with azwildcat96.

Leave the sgian dubh at home. You wouldn't otherwise carry a blade like that, would you? While there is nothing inherently wrong with the cap, unless you regularly wear one, you might consider saving it for the pub later on.

[Eric Peterson]

Sounds Great NM could use some kilt exposure. I am in Alamogordo NM.

[azwildcat96]

Sounds Great NM could use some kilt exposure. I am in Alamogordo NM.

Sounds good. Get the locals used to them before I get there...I've heard rumors (only rumors so far) that my employer may be sending me to either Cannon or Holloman later this year for a temporary assignment.

[Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM]

I agree with azwildcat96.

Leave the sgian dubh at home. You wouldn't otherwise carry a blade like that, would you?

Actually, I would normally wear/carry a blade of some sort (rule #9: always have a knife) - sometimes on my belt, more often in my pocket. And my co-workers expect it and look to me whenever something needs cutting or opening or whatever.

But - I think - in this instance, that maybe leaving the sgian dubh out of the picture, so to speak, is an excellent idea. As Allen said:

Better to let them focus on the fact that you look sharp in a kilt rather than thinking about the knife in your sock, even though they probably know you carry one anyhow.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with the cap, unless you regularly wear one, you might consider saving it for the pub later on.

Also, I always wear a hat or cap (including the glengarry -- last worn at work for St. Andrew's Day). One thing I do not wear is baseball caps -- used to -- but haven't in many, many years. Please note that the hat/cap is not actually worn while in my office, it is only worn to/from my building and others (we have a pretty sprawling work campus)...basically anyplace where I might burn my tender scalp .

[CMcG]

Actually, I would normally wear/carry a blade of some sort (rule #9: always have a knife) - sometimes on my belt, more often in my pocket. And my co-workers expect it and look to me whenever something needs cutting or opening or whatever.

But - I think - in this instance, that maybe leaving the sgian dubh out of the picture, so to speak, is an excellent idea.

If knives are allowed at work, if you normally carry a knife, and if your co-workers expect it, then I would say you should definitely wear a sgian dubh. But only if it is sharp

[Mark Stephenson]

I too will be wearing my kilt to work for the first time. My co-workers areexpecting it. I often wear a tweed sportcoat with a button down shirt. So, I will probably wear a tweed argyle jacket vest and tie. Since I do wear a tie on occasion - such as when we have visitors, I will only be a bit over-dressed. I also have decided to forgo the sgian dubh. I thought about wearing Gilleys, but think that would be a bit much. So, I'll just wear my regular black wing-tips.