OTR dress code

The post you quoted contained zero name calling but okay.

 

To get things back on track here...

My go to work wear starts with a very comfortable work boot. Justin makes a good water proof work boot. Relaxed fit jeans. Columbia quick dry shirt. Hoodie or carhardt if cold.

When I'm at the truck stops I try to wear pajama pants and flip flops to blend in better...

 

Didn't work, sheeple. I've seen you before...

 

Do the clothes make the man?

Was sitting down at the lunch counter at the Petro in Amarilo. Had the sky piece on, black shirt, black denims and boots. This hand walks up, long sleeve button up shirt, startched, pointed boots, big belt buckle, denims that look like go to the dry cleaners to get ironed and starched. Bull handle mustache. You know the type. King of the road, triple digit custom truck, old school bullhauler. Awesome.
I love seeing those guys. There's so much pride in everything, from the Stetson hats, to the unofficial uniform, to the big largecar out in the parking lot. By the way the man dressed, you could walk out into the parking lot and find his truck. The old school bullhauler uniform may be unofficial, but it is as recognizable as the Buster Brown uniform of a UPS driver. Those guys are awesome!

Ever notice that the guys telling stories about being special forces look wimpy? Not saying they're always thin, some of them are fat, but they have no muscle tone. If you've ever done any strenuous work, if you were ever into the iron, if you ever did any training, you may lose some strength, but you never lose those shoulders and the trees for arms. Never. My grandpas passed at 96 and even on his deathbed, you could tell at one time, he had been a bull. If your muscles look as if they're made of butter, and the toughest thing you have ever done with your hands is flog your meat, don't tell anyone that you were in the military. No, wearing camo, and a KungFu belt and getting tattooed doesn't make it more believable.

Anyway, what do you want people to see when they see you. What did this bullhauler want us to see? The pride in his profession. Now, if you hate your job, drive a POS truck, don't make any money, cry every time you get an audience, have no home training and no self esteem, and or are stupid, it will show in your attire.

I will guarantee you this: the top money making driver at any company, takes pride in his appearance. You do not get to the top of any profession, by being sloppy. Understand clearly, the effect your dress has on your paycheck and dress accordingly. Not just when you are at a shipper and receiver. Whenever.

 

i have yet to get a carhardt jacket. been putting that off, the past 20+ years.

 

Well you've made it this far...

 

and a little further, won't be needing it. but maybe someday, i will buy one....might take some time though.

 

The thing that used to be fun about trucking is you could be whoever or whatever you wanted to be. Wana look like John Wayne? Michael Jackson? Richard Nixon? How about Uncle Barry Obama? Maybe a Fairy Princess? You've come to the right place.

 

When I pack my bag for the road I bring:

7 Pairs of khaki slacks
7 Button up short sleeve shirts (George shirts usually, they are cheap and Walmart carries them.)
7 Plain white undershirts
7 Pairs of boxer briefs
14 Pairs of socks
1 set of Overalls
1 Hoody Jacket
1 Belt

Any time I work on the trailer, pretrip, etc I toss on the hoody to prevent my shirts from getting dirty, I am good at keeping my slacks clean.

I have four pairs of footwear all together on the truck.

1 Pair of Workboots (waterproof)
1 Pair of Walking Shoes
1 Pair of Shower Shoes
1 Pair of house shoes (in-truck use only. If you ever step on a rock you brought in with your other shoes you'll know why )

It seems like a lot, but I am able to pack i tall into one small duffle excluding my workboots or walking shoes, depending on which I am wearing currently.


I only keep the button up shirts/khaki's because that's all I've worn since 4th grade, and they are comfortable to me. I sometimes swap a pair or two of the slacks for shorts of similiar/same color.

In the end you will wear whatever is comfortable to you. If that's flipflops and sweats, well more power to you. I think the guys I see complaining most about 'modern' drivers have forgotten that 30 years ago, truckers were still truckers. It's really a small % of drivers who walk around everywhere in week old Saturday slops. But there are many many drivers, so that % = a lot of individuals. I have pictures of flipflop/t-shirt/sweatpants truckers that are in excess of 30 years old that my dad took while on the road (not to mock them, a lot of them are at National Landmarks and such and just happened to get in frame of his camera.) They existed back then, but nostalgiavision is real fuzzy on the edges.

Be safe driver.

 

Do you change your socks twice a day?