Quote Originally Posted by Tobus View Post
Guys, I don't mean to sound argumentative here, but why do people keep comparing this to womens' skirts, or making it a gender battle? Historically speaking, the battle of women wearing trousers like men instead of dresses was a political battle of equal rights in society (and was tied to suffrage, etc.). That is a whole 'nother ball of wax than what we're talking about here. The kilt is, and has always been, the ethnic clothing of Highland Scots (and to a far lesser degree their descendants, the diaspora). It's not the symbol of a political movement for equality unless you're somehow trying to tie it to some sort of transgender issue, which would be flat out inappropriate for the Highland kilt and for this forum.

Appealing to an employer on the basis of "fairness" when females are allowed to wear skirts but not men, is going to do nothing but create acrimony and problems between you and management. Even if they begrudgingly allow it out of fear that you'll make a stink, you still won't come out a winner. And every time you wear your kilt to work, you'll be reminding them that you forced their hand. They'll be watching and waiting for your kilt to cause problems. Why would you want that negative attention in your workplace, upon which you rely for your livelihood?

I dislike being the lone negative voice when this topic comes up, but I really think it's a mistake to push too hard for kilt acceptance in the workplace. If they have deemed it inappropriate (for whatever reason), it may be worth politely asking about it. But if they state firmly "no", then let it go. Wear the kilt in your off-hours and have fun, but don't make it a problem in your workplace. And for goodness sake, don't turn it into some sort of political rights issue when it's really not.
Tobus, you mistake my meaning. My remarks weren't meant in any political sense at all.

In the post office, talking with a steward or filing a grievance is a very, very common occurrence. Whether management gets upset or angry just sort of depends on the personalities of the parties involved. It doesn't hurt to put out feelers.

But, I agree, it's not a fight I would fight. I don't know the OP's specific job, but I'm not convinced the kilt is the best garment for the environment. As far as I know, skirts are allowed on the work room floor, but I've never seen any craft employees working in a skirt, with the exception of one woman who wears a long skirt as per her religious beliefs.