Warm Climate Kilts

[Dirka Skene]

I think I needed to explain a little bit better so that no one thought that I didn't wear a kilt at all. lol

[prattw]

It depends upon how warm the climate is, I suppose. The climate where I live is definitely rather warm, being in the Mohave Desert. The problem is not that heavier kilts are too hot, though they definitely can be at 110+ temps. The problem is that regardless the material and weight, the rise of your kilt is going to be sweat soaked in really hot weather. So is your t-shirt, for that matter, though you may not realize it at the time in dry air, since the water evaporates as fast as you exude it. The salts, however, don't.

You then have to clean the fabric, and that's where the problem lies. Polyviscose and acrylic are wash-and-hang dry, and maybe a bit of touch-up to the pleats with an iron. Cleaning a wool kilt is a major operation, and an expensive one. Under normal wear conditions, it isn't necessary more than a couple of times a decade. In a truely hot climate it may be necessary everytime you wear the kilt in summer and that's where pv and acrylic are really a blessing. I wear my wool kilts without hesitation from early October through late April of an average year, but during summer I stick to things I can put into a gentle wash cycle by themselves and then hang up in the house to dry. (Calling them wash-and-wear would be going too far, but it's sure more convenient than dry cleaning.) There's no question, though, that wool is much more durable. I find that pv and acrylic remain presentable for two or three years and then get relegated to wear when fetching and carrying. It's much the same situation of balancing cost versus utility as with jeans vs wool trousers. You can wear a pair of good wool trousers as long as you can fit into them, with half-reasonable care. Jeans last a few years. Which would you wear to work on the engine of your car, though?

Will Pratt

[Kilted Christian]

Will, Great point here with the nature of sweating and the maintenance it creates. It may make sense to have a poly or otherwise washable in the arsenal for when you know you are going to stink it up. Thanks.

[starbkjrus]

snip... It may make sense to have a poly or otherwise ...snip

Point of clarification here. There is a huge world of difference between polyester and other poly blends and poly-viscose. Don't get them mixed up.

[Big Mikey]

This discussion is assuming you want to wear tartan all the time. If you just want to be kilted, have you considered a casual kilt? In this area of BC, the temperatures can run from 20F to 98F. For comfort and ease of laundering during the hot months, I swear by my Amerikilt. It is well made, stylish and easy to clean. If I sweat like a draught horse, spill a beer, or get caught up in an impromptu water fight, NO WORRIES! They are also quite affordable. Just offering up another option.

[Mr. MacDougall]

I've worn my SK out'n'about in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, where the summer temps regularly exceed 110F. I've found it to be as comfortable, if not more so, than wearing a pair of cotton shorts.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Have to agree with the comments about PV. My USAK's are getting more wear than any of my other kilts. Now, I have yet to try wearing any of my heavier wool kilts in the heat, but I suppose I need to for comparison.

And I would like to point out that the heat in Vegas and most of the SW is considerably different than in the SE. We have a much higher humiditiy percentage, which significantly affect comfortable level. A wool kilt may be no hotter in reality, but the additional weight and insulation may feel less comfortable in our humidity.

[Tartan Hiker]

OK, Chris. Here's your solution. Get a 4-yard box-pleat made in the Carolina district tartan, 12-oz cotton.

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/cotton.htm

[David Dalglish]

I know that the UK does not get as hot as Florida or Arizona in the summer, but we do have some hot summer days, I wear my 9yd 16oz tanks all summer & I am very comfortable.

[PiobBear]

For me here in Florida, it's not the kilt as much as all the other stuff I oft times wear. There's a vast difference in comfort between a short-sleeve uniform shirt with relatively thin hose and a wool waistcoat, jacket, & tie.