Summer rugged outdoor wear: awesome or blasphemous?

[CMcG]

I've been mulling this over and I have a few thoughts. The first is that I'm pretty sure the rattlers and cacti don't give a fig what you wear, so do as you please! My first impression was: awesome, not blasphemous

My second impression surrounds more social concerns i.e. if you were to wear this when other humans are around. The gaiters, hose tops, and shirt (epaulettes over double breast pockets) all look rather military to me. To round out the look, switch the baseball-style cap for a something with more of an army feel, like so:



My third thought was how to make this outfit more practical. I'd ditch the hose tops and garter ties for whatever socks you have worn with those gaiters when you've donned your Utilikilt. Less hassle and less things to get caught on thorns. That waistplate buckle is sweet, but with a toned down outfit I'd go with something more simple and rugged. I personally favour a duty belt:


Again, the hat could get switched for something with a wider brim, like a Tilley:

[SlackerDrummer]

The gaiters, hose tops, and shirt (epaulettes over double breast pockets) all look rather military to me. To round out the look, switch the baseball-style cap for a something with more of an army feel, like so:

[snip]

No disrespect, Colin, but I'd stay as far away from those suggestions as possible. Once you start making everything look martial, the outfit starts to border on costume. I'd stick with the ball cap or maybe go with a planters straw hat of some sort for shade. I don't care for the hose tops, but it isn't because they're diced; it's because they're colorful and draw your attention to them which detracts from the rest of the ensemble. Good idea to ditch the garter ties, too.

[CMcG]

No disrespect, Colin, but I'd stay as far away from those suggestions as possible. Once you start making everything look martial, the outfit starts to border on costume. I'd stick with the ball cap or maybe go with a planters straw hat of some sort for shade. I don't care for the hose tops, but it isn't because they're diced; it's because they're colorful and draw your attention to them which detracts from the rest of the ensemble. Good idea to ditch the garter ties, too.

No disrespect perceived I suggested a more martial hat as a way of finishing the look, though perhaps you are right that it could verge dangerously on costume. Sounds like you are thinking more along the lines of my third suggestion.

[rondo]

It is all okay to my eye except for the cap. I just never like the look of a ballcap when there are so many other options. But if i were to pass you on the trail there is nothing in your original pic that looks out of place to me.
Rondo

[Alan H]

You're out and about in blazing sun, rattlesnakes, scorpions, thorny plants, and you're worried about the "look"?

Hey, whatever. Y'all look fine. The gaiters make sense. I also think the hose tops are kind of odd, but what the hell, if you like 'em?

Tilley hats are the bomb, though I prefer a lighter weight version when I backpack with a kilt on, but then I sweat like a pig.

You're out HIKING for heavens sake, not going to the Gentlemans Ball. Wear what works and forget the "look".

[Panache]

Not to go too far off topic, but...

Everyone raves about Tilley hats. I have a lot of hats but not a Tilley, so can someone explain why they are so wonderful?

Cheers

Jamie

[Gryphon noir]

I am a big fan of Tilley hats. There are many similar ones, and many are very good, but I've worn mine in 42 degrees (C) in Egypt {yeow, that's HOT!} and in the temperate rainforest climate of British Columbia.....for shade, UV protection, and rain, these can't be beat. I found that in extreme heat, long sleeved bush shirts worked well. Again, UV protection was great, and evaporation a little less. I have worn these shirts while bee keeping, and I find that crinkle cotton will protect from stings to a certain degree, but that's no guarantee when it comes to the brown recluse. {shudder}

[MacGumerait]

I think it looks great . Even though it's for hiking , I "get " the idea of adding a little creativity with the diced hose tops just for the heck of it .

In the spirit of what other's have said about having a bit of a military look , I have a suggestion .

We should dub this - The Official Field Kit ( including the cap ) of the 1st Texas Rattlesnake Regiment , Commanding Officer : Tobus .

That way , you can tell your wife that even though she doesn't care for the look , you must set an example by being in proper kit for the rank and file .

Just a suggestion . ( yeah , I know , no wife will buy that one ! )

[Dale-of-Cedars]

Not to go too far off topic, but...

Everyone raves about Tilley hats. I have a lot of hats but not a Tilley, so can someone explain why they are so wonderful?

Cheers

Jamie

Good materials, solid construction, and a lifetime guarantee. I'm on my 3rd T3 (over 20 years I think)
There's a thin foam insert in the crown so it will float (and protected my noggin a couple of times from bumps.) Comes in cotton duck, hemp, wool, nylon, etc.
They survive being eaten by elephants... several times.

Oh and they look good too.

Tilley Endurables http://www.tilley.com/
-made in Canada.

We have 6 in the house right now; my T3, T5 and grey-tweed wool TW2 Winter Hat; the better half's black TW2 and T2 (wide brim) and our younger son's T2. Our older boy took his T5 to California and found a lady to marry!

[CWWoody]

Function and modern style, well done.