Dealing with the wind?

[Cinnabar]

I've started getting into wearing a kilt kind of slowly based on some of the recommendations listed on this forum. I'm still very excited about it and am very happy with my royal stewart stillwater kilt. I was wearing it around the apartment last week. I went out the door with trash to take to the compactor and the wind really picked up as I was walking down the stairs. My a nice draft came right up my kilt and made it come way up. I'm not one who is easily ashamed and no one was there to see it but it was still a little embarrasing.

So my question for all you kilt experts is how you deal with the wind? I know that some of you wear kilts on a daily basis and must have some advice for kilt newbies. Any input is greatly appreciated.

P.S. I was wearing a sporran but not a kilt pin. Maybe that would help but I thought kilt pins were only made to go through on the very top layer of cloth.

[Iolaus]

Yes, they only go through to top layer, and they're mostly for decoration, although they do help the apron fall back into place when the breeze is done.

The way I deal with the wind, is to not worry if one apron blows to the side, because all that's going to show is a thigh, and most women are going to get the same thrill we do when we see a slit skirt blow to the side to show a lot of leg on them. Even with the narrow aprons of my Utilikilts the most that's going to show is the upper thigh; trust me I've worn them in an onshore breeze on Huntington Beach Pier; If the breeze is blowing one side open, it's likely holding the other side closed.

[Riverkilt]

Aye, watch out for the kilt pin, a good gust and it'll thunk you in the noggin!

I live on a mesa in the canyonlands called "the windy mesa" and it is.

Best way for a guy to get used to the wind when kilted (ladies grow up with the wind and skirts) is to just go out walking around in it and get used to the wind tossing the kilt around.

If you wanna get advanced training wait for a windy day and go hiking where there are not likely to be people around to "see" you. Then hike in different directions. With the wind, into the wind, with the wind at either side.

I think with us guys we're just not used to the wind toying with our kilts and the least little gust spooks us until we get used to the kilt blowing around in the wind.

Now, there are times where you gotta learn a little sailing skill to deal with the wind. If the wind is high you may wanna do what the ladies do and walk with your arms straight down at your sides to hold the kilt down.

You may need to tack a bit to use the wind to keep your top apron in place. Utilikilts aren't much worry in front since the kilt can't fly up higher than the lower snaps. The UK Survival II has those barrel and loop rigs under the apron. I've had the Survival hold fast in helicopter rotar wash.



Some danger places where you can expect a Marilyn Monroe type updraft that'll cover your face with the kilt and expose your bits to the world are on a windy day walking up to your car or truck. The wind will get fast passing under the vehicle and head up just beside the vehicle. So pay attention approaching your wheels and when dismounting on a windy day.

When you walk up to the entrance to a building on a windy day. The wind is hitting the side of the building then heading straight up. Mix that with the positive air pressure that comes out of building when the door is opened and you've good reason to mind your kilt.

And, if you're in the big city, there's the ever present sidewalk and street vents that blast air up.

Main thing is to take some time hiking about in the wind to learn what to worry about, and what not to worry about, and what you can do to mind your kilt.

Ron

[Southern Breeze]

I work outdoors and so far I've not had any major exposures. The kilts going to blow around no matter what you do.. If I know in advance that it's going to be windy, I wear a pair of boxers with smilie faces on them, might as well be prepared.

[Blu (Ontario)]

If I know there are windy conditions to deal with I'll wear my heavyweight kilt. Although it's not immune to wind, the effect is diminished quite a bit. It passed the test quite nicely at Terrapin Point overlooking Niagara Falls on a very windy day.

.

[Yaish]

Just remember that just because you can feel wind on your bum doesnt mean the kilt flew all the way up. A full scale flashing will be a rare thing, vanishingly rare with the littlest bit of caution.

[Cinnabar]

Thanks for the advice everyone (especially Riverkilt). I think I have a better idea of what to expect and that maybe I shouldn't worry about it so much.

Maybe I'll try some hiking in a kilt, that sounds like a good way to get used to it.

[longshadows]

I'm not one who is easily ashamed and no one was there to see it but it was still a little embarrasing.

First, I'd say you have nothing to be "ashamed" about in the first place. You're not doing anything wrong. If the wind hits your kilt and you feel it starting to rise up too high, you do your best to hold it down. If it should happen that something gets exposed brifely, so be it. It's not the end of the world. You're not a flasher and anyone who witnesses this will understand and unless they are a bunch of immature morons, will generally be discrete and pretend they didn't see a thing. Depending on the sitaution, a smile, a "pardon me," or maybe nothing said at all would be the correct response and go on about your kilt wearing business.

[Southern Breeze]

Once you get out and about you'll see that there's really nothing to worry about.

[Andrew Breecher]

I think riverkilt said it best when he said to just get out there and get used to feeling the breeze. You've never felt anything like it before in trousers, so it's a new experience, and you feel very exposed even if nothing's being exposed. You'll grow to like the feeling of the breeze, and soon will feel overly constrained if you (ever) put on trousers again!

Andrew.