Inverness cape alternatives?

[Monkey@Arms]

Last time I wore it, the wind was blowing a hoolie and the rain was lashing horizontally, and the wretched thing was virtually impossible to control - it was all over the place, mostly above my head and shoulders. A friend who was with me likened the experience to that of walking through Edinburgh with a nun having a bad-hair day (and that's just how it felt!).

Take care,
Ham.

Great account, Hamish I had the same thing happen to me, with the whole shoulder cape blowing up over my head!

Best regards,

Jake

[Hamish]

When the weather is that wild, Hamish, we give up and just get wet! As they say up here ;"if you don't like getting wet, you will never get anything done", they are right!

Now that I understand, Jock. However, I am delighted to announce that I am fully retired, I shop once a week and so, if I do not have to go out in the rain and wind, I don't. Most weeks I can hibernate quite happily for up to six days - and frequently do!

Take care,
Ham.

[English Bloke]

... It's not fun riding down the road in the rain with your jacket on fire...

I'll bet it looks pretty impressive to the casual observer though!!

[Hamish]

Ham,

I have modeled one of those Mr. Anthony nylon rain capes for a friend's website (though I must have not a very good job as he hasn't sold it at $55!
We obviously need a better model, are you free Ham? )

Don't put yourself down, Jamie! I am sure you made a superb model. And NO, I am not free and never have been. 'Expensive' is a word that has been directed in my direction across the years!

It seemed very good for the rain and they fold up into a very small pouch for ease of carrying. However because they are so light weight I can't imagine they do well in the wind.

I'll vouch for that.

The one I was fortunate enough to purchase from a friend is a wool / poly blend and the weight is such that even at the fierce winds at the beach yesterday during a rainstorm did not make it unmanageable.



You saw this picture on my Valentine's Day hat thread.

The ability to access one's coat pockets and sporran without exposing oneself to the elements is unmatched by any any overcoat. I happen to have two overcoats (including a wonderful London Fog trench coat that I am sure will be in use by my children's children long after I have passed, great quality!) and they are very nice indeed.

I like my inverness cape better!

And, as I have said before Jamie, it suits you well. I have never tried on a tweed or tweed-like one and so cannot really tell if it would do anything for me, but I seriously doubt it.

By the by Ham, a nice deer stalker cap would save your Lairdship's hair from becoming unkempt.

Oh yeah? What hair is that then Jamie?

Take care,
Ham.

[Panache]

....Oh yeah? What hair is that then Jamie?

Cheers Ham!

Jamie

[fortcollinsjerry]

When I orderd my kilt in 1985 I also bought what the Gentleman called a Pipers cape, which is essentially an Inverness cape made out of avery lightweight ruberized nylon waterproof material. It's probably the best foul weather garment I've ever owned and it's still a piece of my kit in spite of being drug all over New England in my ruck for years hiking in the mountians and withstanding the brutal winter ice and rain storms along the Maine coast. Once I had it buttoned up and the cape secured down the front I found it to be a very cozy garment.

The only improvement I can think of is some kind of hood or hat that would compliment the entire outfit and keep the rain off the back of your neck. I can't recall what I paid for it back then but I know it wasn't anywhere near the $300+ I see as a price for the modern Inverness Cape

[Weasel Mender]

They may be 'traditional' - whatever that means - but I really cannot come to terms with the Inverness Cape as being anything other than a piece of rather theatrical costume. I'll admit they are probably the most practical piece of inclement weather kit for a kiltie and, indeed, I have a black nylon version (designed for pipers?) which I have worn but two or three times. Last time I wore it, the wind was blowing a hoolie and the rain was lashing horizontally, and the wretched thing was virtually impossible to control - it was all over the place, mostly above my head and shoulders. A friend who was with me likened the experience to that of walking through Edinburgh with a nun having a bad-hair day (and that's just how it felt!).

An umbrella would not have afforded much protection on that day, and besides I had a suitcase in each hand, but I usually find that a brolly is as good as anything to keep the Sussex rains off me.

Take care,
Ham.

Ham,
It may be needlessly cruel to ask.....but are there pictures?

Weasel