flying in the wind

[Avonlea22]

I've had my USA Philabeg kilt for about 1.5 months now, and I've found that I can't wear it as much as I'd like to because of the wind. It's a bit dissapointing. Apparently I live in an area that is prone to strong breezes (although they don't seem that strong to me), which prevents me from comfortably wearing the kilt. I'm guessing I wouldn't have this problem as much with a tank, right? It must be the lightweight PV material. Does anyone else have this problem?

[Silverlake_Punk]

From late December to mid-March, Los Angeles can be a bit rainy and windy. While I did find myself with my hands clamped to my thighs a few times in my USAK's, they held up to the wind pretty well, and I have yet to have an indecent exposure incident. I think it felt like more than it was, since the wind was
whipping at me naughty bits.

I found my mocker Utilikilt did not fare as well. There were a few times I may as well have gone naked! But since I've sold it, that won't be a problem any longer.

[Riverkilt]

Ah, the adventure of it.

The place I live is called "The Windy Mesa" for all the winds that roar through the canyons and up the mesa where the town is.

Most any kilt can become victim to a freak gust of wind. Obviously the heavier the fabric and the more weight in the pockets (if any) or sporran help keep the kilt down.

It helped me get used to the wind to do a lot of remote hiking in my kilts in the wind and get used to the sudden gusts and see that usually all is well.

Of course, just when I thought all was well on a windy day a gust has caused more exposure than the law allows....just gotta be vigilent when its windy.

But, the more you wear kilts the less you'll worry about it.

Ron

[Casey]

My suggestion is to wear a sporran (maybe something underneath) and let the wind blow. I was out yesterday, in heavy wind, in a 4yd Bearkilt, and it behaved. The more "practice" you have with the wind the easier it will be for you to deal with it.

If you want to see kilts in the wind, take a look at the opening scenes of "Rob Roy".

[Andrew Breecher]

Ironically, man-made areas channel the wind better and make the kilt fly around more. You really only need to worry about updrafts - anything horizontal will just whip the kilt about your legs.

Over 2,000 miles of hiking in the woods and across exposed mountain ridges, and my light 4-yard Bear Kilt never once blew up inappropriately (not that I'd have cared if it did, in the middle of nowhere). But in the city I'm always wary of a quick gust of wind. Hey though, if it happens (which is has once or twice), just look around, laugh, and shrug, and keep on walking.

Andrew.

[Blu (Ontario)]

... I'm guessing I wouldn't have this problem as much with a tank, right?...

In my experience, heavyweight wool has a definite advantage in windy conditions. The only time I've ever come close to full disclosure in my heavyweight was near blizzard conditions - winter 2002. But even my polyvis is pretty good in moderate winds (10 to 15mph). Having the pleats sewn well down the hips (roughly 8" on my traditionals) helps quite a bit.

...My suggestion is to wear a sporran

In the wind... definitely helps.

[Graham]

Andrew is spot on about man made wind tunnels, I find it difficult in the city, but on the beach or hiking in the mountains...not a problems, well, sometimes up mountains.

If I'm going to the city on a windy day I'll wear an 8 yard kilt.
The heavier the kilt, the more it behaves. 4 yard PV is as light as they get. My suggestion: make our next kilt an 8 yard, even in PV, it will be fine.

[Lee]

Yes, man made wind tunnels can be challenging. I work downtown, surrounded by towers. The first couple of times I wore my 4yd to work, was exciting. Now I know what spots to avoid. Can be less vigilant in the 8yd.

Lee

[Dreadbelly]

Just the other day I did a full buttcheek exposure to a police officer sitting in his cruiser at a red light. I was waiting for the light to change so I could cross. BIG truck went by. POOF!! Kilt becomes a shirt.

Poor officer was red as a beet.

[Yaish]

I'm in SoCal and I havent had too many problems here. The exceptions being when I walk out on the Piers out here, it seems either on the way down the pier or the way back there is always a steady breeze blowing so as to flip the apron over. Fortunately the under apron isnt affected and no exposure results. Its still definately something you have to get used to.

Now, the one time I DID have some exposure was when I was working the Queen Mary Highland Games in Long Beach and I was wearing my UK Nightwatch. If you're familiar with them its a very light ripstop material and it flies around rather easily.
Walking across the gangway with a large box balanced on my shoulder taking both hands, I got a strong updraft from between the ship and the dock. Fortunately it was early and so only a few other vendors caught my "Marilyn moment".