Kilts-To-Work Strategy, Part Deux

**BozemanboB** · 3rd December 07, 08:09 AM

Hello, all.

You may recall several months ago I wrote in saying I'm not yet "allowed" to wear kilts to work, but I have a plan to get there.

Step 1- wear kilts everywhere outside of work for three reasons:

1) I like to (that's the most important one).
2) I'll run into coworkers on the town, and they'll get used to seeing kilts on me. If/when I wear them to work, there'll be no real distraction because they'll already have seen them.
3) If anyone asks, I can honestly say "I wear them all the time". That demonstrates kilts are standard clothing and not costumes or some goofy fetish of mine.

Step 2- wear a kilt to the holiday party and other off-work functions

Well, step 1 has been going swimmingly. Periodically I run into coworkers, and all but the most pig-headed of them are genuinely interested in my kilts. The pig-heads are just that, and they won't change.

Step 2 has also been moving along quite nicely. Wore a tartan kilt to the Bowl For Kids' Sake fundraiser, which was a very successful kilt-introduction to a limited number of coworkers. Last Saturday I wore a black Stewart tartan kilt to the company holiday party. (I was also the MC for the gift give-away, so they all got to see the kilt a lot.) The kilt was universally well received, and I had several ask "why don't you wear them to work." When I explained that I think I need permission first from the management staff the answer was the same every time: "Why? It's clothing. Who cares what you wear?"

The biggest bummer is that my boss was not there. He was supposed to be, but never showed (which is concerning by itself). Also, most of the pigheads who work here were not in attendance, but that might work to my advantage in the long run.

Today I'm going to quiz the accountant; she was at the party and is my confidant in matters of this sort. After that, I'm not quite sure where to go next with my strategy. I'll continue with the two current approaches, but at some point I need to raise the issue with my boss in a direct manner. I don't know when to do that, but perhaps when the moment comes it'll be clear. Until then I'll be patient and keep the pleats swinging...

Thanks for listening.

boB

**Daaaaang** · 3rd December 07, 08:19 AM

Good luck man, I hope it works.

**McMurdo** · 3rd December 07, 08:26 AM

Good luck, as someone who is kilted daily, at work and out I think you are going about it in a good way. Something that worked for me was that at work we had a "Heritage Day" where we would bring in food and music form all our various cultures, and wear the dress of our cultures as well. I siezed the opportunity and came in my kilt, it was so well received that I was continually asked when I would wear it again, and now I wear a kilt everyday.

Perhaps you could set up the same kind of thing through your social committee if you have one.

**McFarkus** · 3rd December 07, 08:33 AM

Pretty soon they'll be begging your to wear your kilt to work.

**cessna152towser** · 3rd December 07, 08:37 AM

In my case it was a leg injury which started me wearing a kilt to work. Much better to go to work kilted than to stay home because you can't get your trousers on. The kilt was so well received that it became regular work attire, even though the torn muscles healed in a few weeks.
Best of luck.

**pipesndrumsnun** · 3rd December 07, 08:46 AM

What type of work do you do?

**pipesndrumsnun** · 3rd December 07, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

In my case it was a leg injury which started me wearing a kilt to work. Much better to go to work kilted than to stay home because you can't get your trousers on. The kilt was so well received that it became regular work attire, even though the torn muscles healed in a few weeks.

Hmmm...I have a great idea coming on here! Have your friend the accountant kick you repeatedly in the leg (which leg doesn't really matter, except for the fact that you'll want to take your ability to drive into account). Next, you say, "Gee, I either have to stay home for the next three weeks, come to work with nothing covering my lower extremities...or, gee, boss, maybe I could wear a kilt??"

**Daaaaang** · 3rd December 07, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by pipesndrumsnun

Hmmm...I have a great idea coming on here! Have your friend the accountant kick you repeatedly in the leg (which leg doesn't really matter, except for the fact that you'll want to take your ability to drive into account). Next, you say, "Gee, I either have to stay home for the next three weeks, come to work with nothing covering my lower extremities...or, gee, boss, maybe I could wear a kilt??"

This is a perfect idea.

**Riverkilt** · 3rd December 07, 09:30 AM

Ain't it a grind?

You're doing the right things right so far.

I won out in my kilted at work mess this year when a manager who supported my kilts told me I could grieve the "no" from the CEO. Turns out our agency grievance policy was rife with words about supporting employee diversity etc.

I filled out the grievance forms and the CEO dropped his "no." Grievance was a strong word for what the forms actually were - more of an appeal.

I'm guessing you've already checked to see if your company's policies allow you to appeal the no kilt decision.....?

What's so weird to me is the Bozeman phone directory is full of Celtic names...go figure.

Ron