Kilt Weight: Heavy versus Medium

[Rhino]

Hamish wrote:

Maybe I am lucky (and unusual) in that I can generally wear cotton in the winter and wool in the summer

I meant to ask you Hamish, how on earth did you manage to look so cool in London, temps in the 90's, I was a greasy lump in a cammo kilt, Hamish is cool as a cucumber in a wool, or was it?
Mychael wrote:

Varying personal tolerance is definitely a factor here

It's funny I'm fine in Turkey at a 100+ but it is very dry. In England when it's hot we have high humidity, I think it's that which destroys me
Cheers Rhino
PS Yes I'd still suffer for the swing

[Rob]

It's funny I'm fine in Turkey at a 100+ but it is very dry. In England when it's hot we have high humidity, I think it's that which destroys me
Cheers Rhino

Rhino,

You are spot on there. It is the combination of temerature and humidity that knocks me out.

Death Valley, California at 115F (but very low humidity) and I am fine.

England at 80F (but high humidity) and I am done-for.

I don't think I could survive in a tropical jungle, and certainly not in a 16oz, 8yd kilt. How did we ever survive without air-conditioned cars?

Rob (wilting in these hot humid nights)

[Rob Wright]

I've worn my kilts when it has been 90 degrees or hotter (very low humidity though). As long as you are moving the movement of the pleats keep you cool. Also How hot you feel may depend on what type of head gear you are wearing and what type of shirt, black can get pretty hot. I know from experience thata 9 yard heavyweight kilt with a short sleeved white button up shirt topped off with a pith helmet can get pretty damn hot, especially since my hair isn't all that short, sorry no pictures that I canpost.

Rob Wright

[Hamish]

Hamish wrote:

Maybe I am lucky (and unusual) in that I can generally wear cotton in the winter and wool in the summer

I meant to ask you Hamish, how on earth did you manage to look so cool in London, temps in the 90's, I was a greasy lump in a cammo kilt, Hamish is cool as a cucumber in a wool, or was it?

Cheers Rhino
PS Yes I'd still suffer for the swing

Yes, that was a hot/humid day in London, Rhino. Actually, the "TFCK" kilt I was wearing is a Poly-Wool blend although it has all the characteristics of a fine worsted. What kept me looking, and feeling, cool? It was a plain white kilt, if you remember? I had Howie tailor it for me a couple of years ago, for just the weather conditions that we are currently 'enjoying'!

[Mychael Sporrano]

I am glad that this subject came up. I have been thinking about getting a traditional Scottish kilt, and was wondering about the difference in weight. Thanks Mychael for your input and opinions. I will consider those if I end up going the traditional route.

Don't forget that with some casual kilts you still have the choice of medium or heavy weight wool. I am looking forward to giving a report on the TFCK heavy weight casual kilt when it arrives in Autumn. Even though it will be made from 16 oz. wool, it will not have the rise associated with traditional kilts. The material in that high waist is where most of the heat retention occurs, so this should be interesting.

What kept me looking, and feeling, cool? It was a plain white kilt, if you remember? I had Howie tailor it for me a couple of years ago, for just the weather conditions that we are currently 'enjoying'!

The cream colored kilt I had made by PK in the 13 oz brushed cotton (which feels more like 16 oz fabric once it is washed and run through the dryer prior to being fashioned into a kilt)is cooler than one would think. Ham is very correct about this. Cream or oatmeal being the penultimate, plain white is of course the ultimate in cool wear. Only a dare devil like Ham would try to get away with wearing a white kilt, though!

As long as you are moving the movement of the pleats keep you cool. Also How hot you feel may depend on what type of head gear you are wearing and what type of shirt...

This is exactly what I have found. Those pleats can offer a nice fan action while one is moving about. Sitting down is when I get warm. As I wrote earlier, I do find the hose rather warm, but I love those huge socks that can be scrunched down to my boot tops. Presentation or comfort, everything is a compromise- what's new <g>.

Mychael

[David Woodington]

That is so terrible that that women had to sell her late husbands kilt. It conjures up a very sad picture. It was nice that she cared enough to pass it on instead of making it yard sale fodder. Being that it was that heavy,How was the swing? Did the pleats hold well?How much did it weigh?

Thanks Dave

[Rhino]

Mychael the 'fan' action works to a degree for me but I was relieved to get back to the hills where it was cloudy and breezy and about 65F.
Yes Hamish the white kilt looked fantastic which begs the other question how did you keep it so clean?
I'd have been grubby in 5 mins.
That reminds me, sorry Hank et al this is way off topic but I found some auctions on ebay of girls selling UNused panties, don't ask me how. The auctions mostly started with 'I'm a student nurse', so I thought if I write one saying forget the students 'I'm a fully qualified nurse' with a picture of me with my beer belly hanging over a pair of dirty grey Y fronts it's bound to make money.
Whatdya think?
Are you turned on yet?
Cheers Rhino

[Alaskan Celt]

[Mychael Sporrano]

I am curious to know if anyone has any thoughts on warmth in regard to fabric weight vs. yardage. For example, is a 4 yard kilt made from 16 oz medium weight material necessarily warmer than a 6 yard kilt made from something lighter, say 13 oz. material?

The reason I ask is because Pittsburgh Kilts makes some interesting flannel lined kilts. In the past I have liked wearing my LL Bean flannel lined jeans during the winter and thought about getting one of these kilts for our impending cold weather. The temps aren't so bad, but we see considerable wind on this hilltop. Since I am relatively local to PK, I have had the chance to see a flannel lined kilt in person. I loved the feel of the flannel lining itself, but overall the lined kilt seemed a little stiff for my tastes. I need to check it out again, however, before coming to any "firm" conclusions.

Anyway, I am wondering if it would be generally as warm wearing a kilt made from more total yardage of a lighter fabric as one made from less yardage of a heavier material, or composite of materials in the case of the flannel lined kilt. Any thoughts on this?

Mychael

[Hamish]

.................................................. ...........
Yes Hamish the white kilt looked fantastic which begs the other question how did you keep it so clean?
I'd have been grubby in 5 mins.
.................................................. ...Cheers Rhino

With a little more care and attention than usual, Rhino!

By that I mean, double-checking before sitting anywhere in a public place (cafés, park benches, railway carriages, etc., etc.). It's amazing what mess 'the public' leaves as it moves around this planet. I also avoided sitting directly on the grass in Kensington Gardens (using the "TFCK" 'blankets' instead) - the thought of travelling home with grass stains on the kilt was more than this soul could bear!

That kilt obviously does not get much wear, but I've had it dry cleaned only once in two years!

For anyone who does not know which kilt we are talking about, I am posting a photo of it in my gallery.