Conforming for the office

[Tattoo Bradley]

There is an article in Today's NY Times Style section on weather-appropriate work attire (by subscription) I think reflects some of the sentiment that we've discussed here in this forum. For the purposes of commentary, here are some of the more pertinent passages:



Unfortunately, the author overlooked the kilt option, but something tells me that if he's afraid of being laughed at over shorts, he'll have a tougher time strapping on a nice five-yard summer kilt. Shorts or kilts, it seems that we share the same concerns that constrain men into conformity.

So, I should talk? I wear a suit to work every day, but here's my stupid concession: on the hottest days last week I carried my jacket in, hung it on the hanger in my cube, and carried it out. Would I have preferred to wear my MacLeod of Harris Hunting kilt and linen shirt? You betcha, but that's not the company I hired into.


Yet.


Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

Very interesting.

[phil h]

what a sad (pathetic) world we live in when a guy gets Laughed at for wearing shorts. I would have put a kilt on and pointed out the fact that if women can wear skirts then so can I.

[Raphael]

If this heat wave continues, are we going to see men challenge the fashion world and wear kilts!!!

[Kilted_John]

If this heat wave continues, are we going to see men challenge the fashion world and wear kilts!!!

Raphael,

Those of us who have the balls to do it will. But, sadly, I suspect that most guys won't challenge the norms. They're too insecure.

-J

[UmAnOnion]

I can personally testify to the comfort of wearing shorts to work as a former resident of that lovely Isle world renowned for its knee baring garb for men in the business world. And when the shorts were made of medium weight linen your comfort was extended tenfold.

Such comfort is vastly overshadowed by that of the kilt with its built in air-conditioning but I doubt that either would be welcomed with open arms in the offices of today.

My concession to the 90 degree plus heat wave NYC has been experiencing of late is to come into work wearing shorts and change into trousers [shudder] that I have left there on a previous day or have brought in with me. The A/C in my office is set on nuclear winter anyway so the additional protection is somewhat welcomed. If I am heading out for more than a few minutes I switch back - unless I am headed to see a client then I curse the fashion gods with every dirty word I know.


Hhhmmm... thinking back -it was wearing a kilt that got me the job in the first place .... Maybe I should give it a try on a 'casual; Friday' & see what the powers that be have to say.....

[Kilted KT]

I'll have to agree that wearing the kilt to work takes some balls in some situations. I've worm mine to work twice now, with no issues. The problem comes when you take into account the massive layoffs all throughout the company I work for, some of which are completely unexpected. While I've fought for them in the past, fighting over clothing at the expense of my son's medical insurance isn't in the cards today.

I raise my flask to all those who are able to challenge the 'status quo' of busines dress.

[Raphael]

My concession to the 90 degree plus heat wave NYC has been experiencing of late is to come into work wearing shorts and change into trousers [shudder] that I have left there on a previous day or have brought in with me. The A/C in my office is set on nuclear winter anyway so the additional protection is somewhat welcomed. If I am heading out for more than a few minutes I switch back - unless I am headed to see a client then I curse the fashion gods with every dirty word I know.

Instead of shorts, how about show up to work with your kilts on?

[turpin]

I work for the Federal government and my agency has a very permissive dress policy. Even so, going kilted would initially probably have to be on special days, such as National Tartan Day (who could argue?). I'll just have to see how folks especialy management) react. Good thing is, it's hard for them to fire me. Not that their displeasure can't be evidenced in other ways.