Summer rugged outdoor wear: awesome or blasphemous?

[Tobus]

I've been thinking about this for a while, trying to find a good practical combination of accessories that work for being outdoors in the Texas summer heat, where cactus and grass burrs abound. Whilst I tend to be a traditional kilt wearer, I'm not afraid to step away from convention. And this is clearly not a Highland-traditional take on kilt wearing. So even though I am not trying to stick purely to tradition, I like to give a solid nod to tradition when I can.

With that said, here is what I've come up with, and my reasoning behind each part:

1. Boots are a must. This country is full of rattlesnakes and scorpions and brown recluse spiders. Not to mention every thorned plant in existence. So even for going out into my pastures, lower leg protection is necessary. I'm wearing an old pair of Ariat boots that look like hell, but fit wonderfully and are very comfortable. You may remember in the past that I've talked about wearing WWII canvas leggings. The Army version has 9 hooks/eyelets, and reaches up near the top of the calf. But recently I picked up a vintage pair of the Marine pattern leggings which are shorter, and have only 7 hooks/eyelets. These are actually more of a height with traditional Scottish spats. Lower leg protection is still good, and the Marine version isn't as hot as the Army version.

2. Diced military hose tops. Why??? Well, I just like the way they look, but more importantly, they allow me to wear more sensible socks underneath. I've grown fond of the Smartwool brand hiking socks which are thick and comfy, but are also very good at wicking moisture and keeping my feet from getting too hot and wet. The problem with Smartwool hiking socks is that they just don't work as kilt hose. So my solution is to pair them with military hose tops and garter ties (I suppose flashes would work too). It occurs to me in the photos below that I should probably be wearing my hose tops a tad higher, but oh well. Once you get the boots laced on and the leggings laced up, there ain't no changing it!

3. 4-yard box-pleated kilt. It's 16-oz wool, but the box-pleat style really keeps me cooler than my traditional knife-pleated ones. This kilt is even cooler to wear than a Utilikilt (my other outdoor kilt choice), because the wool breathes a lot better than duck cloth.

4. Standard short-sleeved shirt and ballcap are nothing special. Just casual items I would wear with trousers. My belt and sporran are somewhat traditional in the 'daywear' category.

So what we have here is a mixture of Scottish and non-Scottish, military and civilian, traditional and non-traditional. The contradictions abound! So tell me, is this a decent outdoor getup, or just a sartorial nightmare?

[grizzbass]

looks great to me

[creagdhubh]

Looking good, Tobus!

[creagdhubh]

The Army version has 9 hooks/eyelets, and reaches up near the top of the calf. But recently I picked up a vintage pair of the Marine pattern leggings which are shorter, and have only 7 hooks/eyelets. These are actually more of a height with traditional Scottish spats. Lower leg protection is still good, and the Marine version isn't as hot as the Army version.

Now that's what I am talking about!!!



Semper Fidelis!

[cessna152towser]

Looking good.

[cruiser348]

I think it works just fine. Personally, I don't see an issue with adapting to the environment that you're in and coming up with something feasible to wear. I realize there are many who will disagree with that.

[mookien]

I think it works just fine. Personally, I don't see an issue with adapting to the environment that you're in and coming up with something feasible to wear. I realize there are many who will disagree with that.

But, I'm not one of them. Form follows function, and thus trumps tradition.

[Jock Scot]

It all looks pretty sensible to me given the conditions, although I think a hat with a brim all round would be my choice of head wear.

[Joshua]

It all looks pretty sensible to me given the conditions, although I think a hat with a brim all round would be my choice of head wear.

Yes Tobus, you should Plead the Pith!

My wife is actually on the lookout for a smarter Bahama straw fedora for me to wear at our festivals this year.

[Panache]

It all looks pretty sensible to me given the conditions, although I think a hat with a brim all round would be my choice of head wear.

I like Jock's suggestion a lot

Also I think if you lost the hose tops and added the right headwear the outfit would be just grand.

(The tops look too formal and out of place with the rest of the outfit)

Cheers

Jamie