but baby, it's cold outside....

**Graham** · 16th August 05, 07:38 PM

Simple solution:

Move to Tasmania, the weather is perfect here, cool but not freezing in the winter, warm but not blistering in summer.

It's the nearest thing to Eden! ;)

**Blu (Ontario)** · 16th August 05, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by Dreadbelly

... having 80 degree temps on Christmas Day is no picnic either. Heat index, blah!...

I could live with that. The Gas Co. wouldn't like it very much!

**Blu (Ontario)** · 16th August 05, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Graham

Simple solution:

Move to Tasmania, the weather is perfect here, cool but not freezing in the winter, warm but not blistering in summer.

It's the nearest thing to Eden! ;)

I've seen the pictures... but is there any money left for kilts after paying taxes and buying gasoline?? ;)

**Dreadbelly** · 16th August 05, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Blu (Ontario)

I could live with that. The Gas Co. wouldn't like it very much!

The Gas Company is EVIL down here. Somehow, they can justify a $900 bill to heat a one bedroom 4 room total millhouse in the winter. And that's just for the heater all by it self.

For those that don't know... Common millhouse round these parts. One small bedroom (A queen sized matress will go wall to wall), a bathroom(Typically a shower, a toilet, and sink, no bathtub), a kitchen, and a small living room. That's it. Maybe 600 to a 1000 square feet.

**arrogcow** · 16th August 05, 08:38 PM

Basically the difference between pants and a kilt is the same as mittens vs gloves. A kilt gives you a pocket of warm air around your body. One day last winter I had to park about 1/2 mile away from home due to snow. I hiked home, then back to the car (I had forgotten a 4 pack of Guiness) and then home again. I was wearing a lined Pittsburgh Kilt, kilt hose, and a calf length cashmire coat, and a ball cap. Temp was 7F plus what ever the wind chill factor was. No problems.

Actually I have found the worst time to wear a kilt is when it is windy, raining and the temp is about 40F. It has to be a combo of all three, but that is chilly.

Adam

**Mr. Kilt** · 16th August 05, 10:16 PM

This is a pic of Jazzkilts and myself from last December. If memory serves me it was about -27C that day with a bit of a wind. I'm wearing a 4-yd Bear, and I was a little chilly but not freezing.

**Big Paul** · 17th August 05, 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by Blu (Ontario)

However, I'm kinda waiting for the launch of a new Winterized R-Kilt one of these days... perhaps sheepskin with the woolly side on the inside. Knowing Robert, he'd figure out a way to get the thing pleated!

Oh man, that sounds cozy!!!:grin:

**Archangel** · 17th August 05, 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by arrogcow

Basically the difference between pants and a kilt is the same as mittens vs gloves. A kilt gives you a pocket of warm air around your body. One day last winter I had to park about 1/2 mile away from home due to snow. I hiked home, then back to the car (I had forgotten a 4 pack of Guiness) and then home again. I was wearing a lined Pittsburgh Kilt, kilt hose, and a calf length cashmire coat, and a ball cap. Temp was 7F plus what ever the wind chill factor was. No problems.

Actually I have found the worst time to wear a kilt is when it is windy, raining and the temp is about 40F. It has to be a combo of all three, but that is chilly.

Adam

forgot the Guinness???

**JackK** · 17th August 05, 04:12 AM

No problem here in the winter, I do finally break down and roll up my kilt socks and wear boots.
There are a couple of things:
Clearing the snow using the snowblower - no fun
Leather, or anything other than cloth or sheep skin, car seats require caution

Jack

**MacConnachie** · 17th August 05, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by bubba

I wore kilts all last winter with no problem. My knees got a bit chilled a time or two but otherwise was plenty comfortable enough and I'm just a bit south of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

I figured someone would bring them up. Keeping the knees from becoming two bony icicles is my biggest challenge when wearing kilts on cold days. The best thing about being in a pipe band? The pipers won't generally play if the temperature outside is less than 40 degrees F., because it plays hob with the condensate in the pipe bags turning quickly to moisture of a consistency that makes it hard to keep the pipes tuned. However, this past St. Paddy's Day, we marched in 35 degree F. weather, and the saving grace was that the wind had quit blowing and the snow falling by step-off time, to the point that with the sun coming out, it wasn't too bad.

As to colder days (end of January, Rob't. Burns Nicht, for instance), the previous advice about wearing a warm cap, coat and gloves definitely applies. Scurrying from the warm house to the warmed-up vehicle to the warm venue is also key. Walking around outside when it's much below freezing is something you must plan for in advance. If the need arises, stopping in a sheltered doorway to rub the knees is a good idea. And if you wear ghillie brogues with the kilt? Galoshes or rubber overshoes are definitely in order, even with wool kilt hose. Otherwise, you're just courting an opportunity to make yourself miserable.

The coldest parade I've been in? It was about 17 degrees F., with a north wind blowing up the street and up you-know-where, on a very snowy and cold St. Paddy's about 4 years ago. The pipers were waiting patiently indoors at the first post-parade venue. I was the ONLY kilted character in that rather brief, and VERRRY cold parade.

If one MUST stand in one place for very long in cold weather, keeping the knees together -- with a bit of the kilt's under apron caught between them -- serves to keep the knees, thighs and other parts from experiencing a strong cooling effect, particularly if there is a breeze a-blowin'.