Kilts in the office

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

KCW, Archangel DOES have a point. I mean, once you get acceptance from your boss, and possibly HIS boss, or someone else with some authority, then there comes a point where you just DO it.

As the old saying goes, it's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission....

Alan, I definitely agree Archangel has a point, see my earlier (but delayed due to work!) post. If I continue to ask for permission, then I will find somebody closed minded who won't say yes, no matter what.

On your other point regarding the formality of the kilt and accessories, I totally agree. Luckily I work in a business casual environment. Currently I would wear khaki slacks or other equivalent trousers, and a pullover, collared shirt with semi-dress shoes. My plan was to wear my Stillwater standard Nightstalker kile with black hose and flashes, black dress shoes, and a button down oxford shirt. I think that this would actually be slightly more formal than my current attire. After a few weeks, I would consider going a little less formal and introduce a sportkilt with the same accessories.

Any feedback on what I am proposing to wear and how formal/informal it is in regards to what I wear today would be appreciated.

RJI

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Does posting 6 in a row on your own thread indicate hijacking the thread or talking to yourself?

RJI

[Southern Breeze]

Does posting 6 in a row on your own thread indicate hijacking the thread or talking to yourself?

RJI

Nope,you're just getting in touch with your inner politician. :-D

[Archangel]

I think I'm beginning to see what you're after. You're a senior employee and are expected to set an example to the juniors. I've been hit with that too. It surprised me that I had gained that much seniority. It surprised management that I was not that impressed and not willing to take on the responsibility of being a good example.

Here's what I see. You really want to do this and do it as perfect as can be. Realize that perfection is not attainable. Close will have to do. You're also trying to determine the kilted equivalent of the business uniform. I'm not sure it translates well but your best bet would be to wander around 21stCentury's site: http://www.21stcenturykilts.co.uk/discountedpackage.htm. The kilt doesn't translate well. I prefer to think of it the other way around. The business suit is wrong. Anyway, if you are trying to find the right jacket to complete the look, I would suggest you give up, for now.

My personal rule is when in doubt, try and look military. I would suggest khaki colour shirts with military type pockets, Eddie Bauer usually has this style. Hamish would suggest socks to match. In an office I would suggest the thinner socks rather than the thick wool ones, heavier shoes rather than boots. A thin black tie would complete the look, a tie with a small clan crest would help keep the focus. These aren't any rules, they're just what I'd try to do.

Anyway, at some point you're going to have to jump out the plane.
Here's the samurai philosophy, which works well in this kind of case: prepare to die. This means as you approach the situation what is the worst that can happen? Can you accept that? If yes, go: if no, stop.

My feeling is that you would be okay. You're a senior employee, you've got some kind of permission, there is a HR department. You might get called in to discuss this. You've already got lots of advice from here so you know the parameters, make them chase you, give them short, one word answers. Worst case scenario, they tell you not to do it again. That starts you off on another campaign. Each step has a specific response.

Do you have casual Fridays, United Way Fridays, gosh, why not? That would be the best way for you to test the water.
Or dive right into the deep end Monday morning.
Either way, you'll just add to your legend.

Best wishes.

[yoippari]

I FIANLLY got in contact with my pontential employer. I have called him multiple times over the past couple of weeks and left two voicemails. I talked to his father in law (a friend that temporarally employed me recently) and he said that his bad phone habits is just the way he is. So I called him on a saturday instead of a weekday. Apparently he deleted the voicemails before writing down my number (though all cellphones have caller id now). It payed off and now I will be meeting him after school on monday. I plan on wearing my stillwater that day (I have worn it to the school in the past two weeks 4 out of the 5 times I have been there) so we can discuss the kilt before wearing it on the job, that is if he wants to discuss it at all, he might just ignore or overlook it.

If need be I will bring up the "standing out when waiting for a part can be usefull" aspect of the kilt, but as you guys have said, I will let him find something wrong before I try to "sell" him on it.

[Prester John]

I'd still like to start a company where the dress code, officially, was tartan kilts for men, kilted skirts for ladies.

Hey, you know it would get press!

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

I'd still like to start a company where the dress code, officially, was tartan kilts for men, kilted skirts for ladies.

Hey, you know it would get press!

John, if you decide to do so, I know a recent convert that would love to head up your IT department! I'll even move to OH! Just moved to Chicago from Tampa, so the weather in the winter can't be any worse!

RJI

[Prester John]

Hey

I'm not kidding. I'm working on it, and I would need an IT guy.

Hmmmm it's just crazy enough to work!

I'm in the planning stages. Probably, I'd need a webmaster actually.

Like I said, still planning - but moving forward!

[Rigged]

any more than women in pants are crossdressing

Some women wearing pants ARE crossdressing. Some of them get VERY upset about men wearing kilts -- it screws with their whole "pants are a way of wearing masculinity" trip.

Some of them insist on wearing kilts -- because they're a masculine garment, even though they have a wide choice of skirts made for women.

To think that just 30 years ago women were having this same conversation about being able to wear pants to work. To think that we guys took so long to question why we were stuck wearing the bloody things.

I have to be in uniform when I work, but if I need to drop by the jobsite to do some paperwork or for a casual gathering, I go kilted. I didn't make any annoucements or ask permission.

So far, not a peep from anyone.

[Rigged]

As a senior employee, expected to set an example, wear what you'd like to see other kilted men wear to your place of business.