The Errant Breeze!

[Hamish]

I was helping someone jump start their car when a breeze came up, and being a rather cold day, I did have a jacket on, which somehow blocked the view.

In which case then, Glen, I'd have to say that your jacket was obviously not a kilt-jacket and that it was too long!! ;)

[MacConnachie]

Believe me, having grown up in very windy country along the Rocky Mountain front (they call it the Chinook arch for a reason), I'm fairly careful about arranging clothing so that it doesn't fly up/off when that 45 mph (or stronger)gust comes up.

However, learning to move about kilted in the wind has sometimes been an interesting challenge. On cold days when kilted, I've been known to wear a long coat (Pendleton plaid, of course) or even a duster, if the wind is up.

Wearing a pipe band "tank" is also helpful, because the drum and sporran in the front and the weight of the pleats and a dirk and fly plaid in the back seem to help.

Nonetheless, the errant gusts which swirl around are often a problem, particularly when the drum is off. The front is fairly easy -- I'll rest my right hand over the aprons at my right thigh while walking. However, if a gust comes up that's in danger of lifting the pleats, I'll turn into the wind, and sidestep, keeping that hand on the right side of the top apron. The resulting gait is a bit humorous to observe, I'm sure, but better than having oneself exposed to more than the elements. I've also found Graham's suggestion of holding a package or similar item, if carrying such, over the aprons or the pleats to be fairly effective.

Mac

[Blu (Ontario)]

I don't think we should be too concerned about having a bit of posterior real estate exposed by a wayward breeze. That's not really a breach of modesty. I've only had it happen once - I was in a lighter weight pv kilt... no big deal. I've never had it happen with a 16oz. worsted wool kilt.

[Riverkilt]

I live in a place called "The Windy Mesa" and it is.

I've watched women in skirts and when the wind gusts they just hold their arms straight down to their sides. Have also learned to be vigilent near my truck, entering buildings with automatic doors, and keeping an eye out for grates in the big city.

The most helpful thing I've done with regard to wind is to get out hiking in the wind and let the wind play with my kilts and feel what it does where I've no fear of offending or being arrested. Getting used to the kilt blowing around helps greatly reduce my worries. While the bottom part of the kilt may blow around a lot, the sporrans or snaps usually protect my modesty - front and back.

Still, there have been, and probably will be more, times when I found myself suddenly staring directly at the hem of my kilt.

Ron