Kilt Shop Employee Not Allowed to Wear Kilt to Work

[Charlie]

To be honest I have no opinion on whether staff wear kilts or not. I would suggest the Kilt Shops in the Royal Mile are often more expensive than elsewhere. As for the staff dress code I have some sympathy with the shop owners. I buy my kilts elsewhere in Scotland where the quality is good and cheaper to buy. When I first went there the owner always wore his kilt.

[rondo]

I just want to live in a place where I can wear a kilt every day!
Apparently Scotland is no longer that place.

Wow...that is a depressing thought.
Rondo

[McClef]

I love that McClef...ROTFL
Rondo

Aww sweet!

[O'Callaghan]

I can see why it would be problematic for a kilt shop to outfit all of their employees with custom fit kilts, but that isn't really the issue here is it? The original post cited an employee who wished to wear a kilt to work. Now presumably this was purchased by him at his own expense. I certainly don't think it should be compulsory to be kilted for these gentlemen, but i do not understand why they would be prohibited from wearing a kilt if they wish to. This is, of course, assuming that his kilt is of sufficient quality and well fitted. To those who made the tux argument, I get your point, but would point out that a kilt can be appropriately worn at many levels of formality. This means it would not be ridiculous or out of place at a high end retail establishment. Obviously a tuxedo would be, because it is not nearly as versatile a garment.

That would be my view of the matter. As long as he is smartly dressed, I don't really see any reason why he shouldn't wear a kilt if he wants to.

[McClef]

To be honest I have no opinion on whether staff wear kilts or not. I would suggest the Kilt Shops in the Royal Mile are often more expensive than elsewhere.

One thing that must be borne in mind are the additional costs necessarily incurred from being in a prime tourist location - higher business rates and rent for example.

Overhead costs in another location can be quite different.

[Mipi]

A bit of a deviation from the subject of this post but to say that the Tartan Army mocks the kilt is treading on very dangerous ground. The individuals that I know in the Tartan Army were strangers to kilts and kilt-wearing before they joined and would never have worn one otherwise. While their choice of ensembles may sometimes push the envelope of good taste, there can be no doubt as to their sincerity and love of things Scottish. We can only hope that maturity and experience will lead to a better understanding of the traditions of highland dress.

I admit, my words were harsh. I'm not saying they are mocking intentionally, but you can see some things that shouldn't be seen. Bare in mind, English is not my native language and this was the additional reason I felt insecure to even participate in this thread. I had no intention to offend anybody.

Mipi

[Jaggy thistle]

In reply to Rondo there is no reason you cannot wear the kilt everyday any where I do and have done for many years you do not need a £400kilt a cheaper one will do for everyday use

[rondo]

In reply to Rondo there is no reason you cannot wear the kilt everyday any where I do and have done for many years you do not need a £400kilt a cheaper one will do for everyday use

Good to know some folks wear the kilt daily over there.

Rondo

[Cowher]

I'm not a Scot, but my take on it (after seeing many such conversations and weighing a lot of the evidence) is that Scots are proud of the kilt. But they're also a little embarrassed by the way the world has treated it.

They seem to cringe a little (and rightly so) at cartoonish, Brigadoonish uses of their historical garb. And so, rather than embracing it for daily wear at the risk of furthering the stereotype, they hold it in reserve for special occasions.

The same seems to be happening with this kilt shop. The jokers down the street are making a mockery of the kilt with their "tartan tat" displays and such. Respectable kilt-makers do not want to risk being associated with that level of ridiculousness, and so they hold the wearing of the kilt in reserve. They have a reputation to maintain, and would rather be seen as respectable businessmen rather than the caricatures seen down the street.

It's a sad state of affairs, but it makes perfect sense. It's not that Scots want to necessarily limit the wearing of the kilt or its availability. They just would rather not wear it if it's going to be associated with ridiculous stereotypes. I can't say I blame them.

The one that owns the shop makes the rules, this is their priveledge. That being said:
I just want to live in a place where I can wear a kilt every day!
Apparently Scotland is no longer that place. - (guess I was born too late)

These were enlightening posts for me. Thank you both. A depressing thought but sometimes knowing the truth is uncomfortable.

Cheers!
Matthew

[Peter Crowe]

The one that owns the shop makes the rules, this is their priveledge. That being said:
I just want to live in a place where I can wear a kilt every day!
Apparently Scotland is no longer that place. - (guess I was born too late)

There are two observations I have on your disappointment about wearing kilts in Scotland.

1) Scotland is a free country where you are at perfect (legal) liberty to wear your kilt every day if you so wish. The only proviso is that it is not against your employer's dress code/health and safety regulations for operating machinery.

2) It has never been customary for men throughout Scotland to wear the kilt every day. Perhaps in the Highlands and Islands before 1746 it was the most common form of male attire, however, those mounted on horseback would have worn the original trews (tartan fitted trouser like garments cut on the bias that covered the feet).

I agree it is sub-ideal that owners of reputable kilt shops (in order to protect their reputation for quality) feel the necessity to insist their staff not wear kilts to work. However, as a frequent (although not daily) kilt-wearer from Scotland, the reputable businesses have my sympathy. The 'tartan kitsch tat' shops are far from helpful to those of us who wear and wish to promote Traditional Highland Civilian Dress. In fact, if I ever come close to suffering from the much vaunted Caledonian Cringe it is when I see these businesses cheapen my country's culture for a quick tourist buck. Scotland's culture and heritage (including the kilt and tartan in their correct place) is something very dear to me and beyond pecuniary value .