Kilted Mailmen?!

[Woodsheal]

I think it would be pretty cool for a letter carrier to have the option of either the pants, shorts, or kilt, either the utilikilt version pictured or the USPS tartan. I think any of those choices would be acceptable as part of a uniform, and should be up to the individual letter carriers as to what he or she would be most comfortable in.

The way it works is: if the resolution passes, then the Joint Uniform Board would have to approve a specific pattern of kilt. Then, manufacturers would be given contracts to mass-produce the item based upon the approved pattern. (This works the same way as with military uniform contracts. There might be slight variations in the final product from different manufacturers, but the base pattern is the same.) Utilikilts could conceivably get such a contract, if they have the manufacturing capacity....

A letter carrier's kilt would definitely have to be a "working" garment, exposed to vehicular grease and grime, rain, dust and dirt, and the filthy mail itself (my hands are black by the end of the day!). So, it would have to be able to stand up to constant laundering. A tartan wool version would NOT be an option. It would have to be heavy cotton, canvas or polyester type kilt.

[Freedomlover]

Just because I enjoy and like kilts, does not mean that I will think every instance of one being worn is appealing or appropriate. I'm not necessarily a fan of all styles of kilt either. This photo summarizes a lot of things I do not like.

I also like the USPS tartan. But, I would not vote it into use with the carrier's uniform either. Just one man's opinion.

Interesting. Do I understand correctly that just because you have personal objections to certain kinds of kilts you would DENY an entire subset of people the right to wear what they like?

Surely not.

[skeeney]

The women may like the idea and wear the kilt themselves

I was just going to ask what the female option would be....

[keepoffgrass]

The way it works is: if the resolution passes, then the Joint Uniform Board would have to approve a specific pattern of kilt. Then, manufacturers would be given contracts to mass-produce the item based upon the approved pattern. (This works the same way as with military uniform contracts. There might be slight variations in the final product from different manufacturers, but the base pattern is the same.) Utilikilts could conceivably get such a contract, if they have the manufacturing capacity....

A letter carrier's kilt would definitely have to be a "working" garment, exposed to vehicular grease and grime, rain, dust and dirt, and the filthy mail itself (my hands are black by the end of the day!). So, it would have to be able to stand up to constant laundering. A tartan wool version would NOT be an option. It would have to be heavy cotton, canvas or polyester type kilt.

I would imagine a P.V. tartan kilt could handle its fair share of laundering, and I would imagine it would be much much less expensive to produce than its wool counterpart (I never said wool would be viable choice of material). I do not know the ins and outs of government contract work or how they go about doing whatever it is they do. Best of luck to you and your fellow letter carriers. I just figure a little choice and freedom of carrier as to their specific uniform; while still keeping things in a set and specific form and function; may be good for moral and help break up some of the monotony of life. However, I'm not a member of the Joint Uniform Board or any other part of the Postal Service. It was just a thought.

[emolas]

... I do not know the ins and outs of government contract work or how they go about doing whatever it is they do. ...

It's simple really: lowest bidder wins. That goes for everything from uniforms to weapons.

I, for one, would like to see kilts accepted as more mainstream and having postal carriers walking around kilted would really go far in making that a reality. It would be nice to be able to wear a kilt and have everyone recognize it as such with nobody thinking anything was out of the ordinary.

[Wompet]

I think it would be pretty cool for a letter carrier to have the option of either the pants, shorts, or kilt...

Another thing to keep in mind is that some of the uniformed services (and I don't know if USPS is one of them) give their employees an "uniform allowance" every fiscal year, and that allowance pays for all replacements and/or additions to your uniforms. Your mail carrier may have to choose between a kilt and a new winter coat.

[Wompet]

I think a narrower military pith helmet instead of the explorer version would help as well.

Cheers

Jamie

Well, that is the uniform helmet, so we can't do anything about it.

[Woodsheal]

I was just going to ask what the female option would be....

Female carriers have the choice of skirts, cullotes, shorts and trousers. Given that bifurcated garments are approved for female use, how can they deny UN-bifurcated items to the men?

[12stones]

I can't see the picture since I'm at work, but I think it's overall a good idea. I don't know what the government would do with complaints when a postal worker decided to go regimental on a really windy day. One thing that would have to be considered would be cost. Like Woodsheal stated, these things would go through the ringer and would have to be able to handle it. What does a pair of shorts cost compared to a kilt? Not sure that it's going to pass...

[skeeney]

...I do not know the ins and outs of government contract work or how they go about doing whatever it is they do...

Oooo, oooo, I know, I know!! That's what I do for a living. And it's not always lowest bidder... that's kind of gone out of style in favor of Best Value...

and don't get me started on this or Mark will look over his glasses at me.