Craftsmen ditch jeans for kilts

The kilt has reinforced nail pockets and a hammer loop

Some craftsmen are ditching their jeans in favour of Swedish-designed kilts, which are on sale at a store in an Oxfordshire town.

The Blaklader black work kilts are becoming "very popular", according to sales director, Adrian Burton, of Clothes4work in Didcot.

People from a variety of professions like blacksmiths are buying the daring work attire, sporting a hammer loop.

"It has taken off well and sparked a lot of interest," said Mr Burton.

We just thought we would put them in our shop window and see what happens Adrian Burton

"You do not need a tool belt and it will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

"We have sold at least 20 since we began selling them last year and have had inquiries from Scotland and all over the world.

"We just thought we would put it in our shop window and see what happens.

"Shortly before Christmas a woman came in and purchased two for her 14-year-old son who is an apprentice blacksmith."

Blaklader Workwear says it has supplied more than 5,000 kilts to tradesmen around Europe, including the UK, but particularly in Sweden where thousands of them are being used by tradesman every day, a spokesman said.

The company is now planning to introduce a new range of kilt in "high visibility" yellow for people carrying out certain tasks on the roads and highways.