Got my Manager's blessing to wear the Kilt today

[Riverkilt]

Way to go Raphael!

I'll bet things ease up when she realizes its "no big deal" you look good, and folks like it.

Expect that despite the "no client meetings" edict it won't be long before a client stumbles in while you're kilted and gives positive feedback.

Don't know if it will work for you - hope it does - but that's how I started, occasional casual Fridays, then Celtic holidays, then "What the heck" to full time.

Do you find yourself amazed that such a little thing could be such a big issue? Speaks well that you're not getting the big hassle though. Must be a good company to work for. Don't forget to remind them how much it helps their diversity reports if they care about diversity at all.

Ron

[Raphael]

If you want a "business kilt" take a look at Utilikilt's heather gray Mocker. It is a softer fabric than the twill used to make their other kilts, more like what you would find with a good suit.

If I am to push he envelope, a Pinstripe Kilt will be the answer. Utilikilts are great for Casual Fridays, but it will never fly for Monday to Thrusday.

[NewKilt]

Way to go Raphael!

I'll bet things ease up when she realizes its "no big deal" you look good, and folks like it.

Expect that despite the "no client meetings" edict it won't be long before a client stumbles in while you're kilted and gives positive feedback.

Don't know if it will work for you - hope it does - but that's how I started, occasional casual Fridays, then Celtic holidays, then "What the heck" to full time.

Do you find yourself amazed that such a little thing could be such a big issue? Speaks well that you're not getting the big hassle though. Must be a good company to work for. Don't forget to remind them how much it helps their diversity reports if they care about diversity at all.

Ron

Excellent post, Ron. Raphael, it sounds like you really have your foot in the door on this. Congratulations! And as Ron said, sooner or later you will get some positive feedback from a client who happens to see you kilted. One step at a time, and you may be able to wear a kilt to work whenever you wish. I'm always happy to hear when these barriers start to crumble.

Darrell

[GlassMan]

Way to go! I'm proud of you.

[Magnus Sporrano]

Good on ya, Raph! I've been enjoying this freedom at three different employers in the last 2 years (I'm an IT consultant so I work contracts 6 months here, a year there).

Today I'm wearing a royal stewart with a Barleyjuice tee shirt to my job at a Big Blue computer company that shall remain nameless. Given the choice of shirts, you can safely guess I don't interact at all with customers (though I think our customers should all check out Barleyjuice).

My current boss is the coolest boss in the world. He didn't even blink when I suggested I'd like to wear my kilt to the office. He just said "you'd better be wearing boxers under there" to which I quickly responded "Yeah but who's gonna check?" and he conceded that point (I will just say that I am quite comfortable, thank you very much, and leave it at that).

He also doesn't require that I cover my tattoos or remove my nose ring. He just wants me to do good work. Why can't more managers understand that comfort is more important than appearance among workers who don't interact with customers?

So again, Raph, congrats and enjoy your new found freedom.

[Wompet]

If I am to push he envelope, a Pinstripe Kilt will be the answer. Utilikilts are great for Casual Fridays, but it will never fly for Monday to Thrusday.

How about a RKilt? Canuck showed me some of the new fabrics he's working with, one of which looked like this (yes, I know what this is a picture of, but chinos are business casual, aren't they?). A more traditional, somewhat more formal look (not pinstripe- or tartan-level formal, but more than a UK) with the advantage of pockets and ease of cleaning.

[pbpersson]

Don't know if it will work for you - hope it does - but that's how I started, occasional casual Fridays, then Celtic holidays, then "What the heck" to full time.

If we have more corporate places with kilts and we get them in more casual places then before long it will be no big deal.

I think diversity is the answer.