What to wear in the rain

[Drac]

Good day all,

Went to a show last night and it was misting. A rather chilly mist. Broke out the lined rain coat. After putting it on my wife looked over at me with the coat and hose showing but little else.

Her comment was I looked like a flasher.

Since I don't think this does the kilt wear population's reputation any good I was wondering what you guys did. I would want something that goes with a nice night event. Day casual I figure a normal jacket should be fine. I've looked into the capes but are those for the most part for pipers? Also they aren't lined from what I've seen.

Thanks,
Jim

[ForresterModern]

The only time I have been kilted in the rain was during my Scotland golf trip last August, and I simply put on a rain jacket that stopped at the waist, and let most of the rain roll off the kilt naturally. Some of the tartans are teflon coated (MM Jura I think) which helps, but wool has some natural repellency as well. Kilts still got wet but I never got wet or cold inside them. Even my hose helped keep me warm and dry despite the outer surface feeling wet.

That said, I do have a heavyweight tweed Inverness that I would not hesitate to wear in the rain if needed. I also have regular length (waist or hip) raincoats that would also work well, barring an absolute downpour. In extreme rain, I doubt anyone would really care if you looked like a flasher regardless of what you were wearing over your kilt. Besides, you could always just use an umbrella (bumbershoot for our UK brethren).

j

[DougC]

A Barbour jacket or a cape. I go with the Barbour when I need to.

[EagleJCS]

Sure, typically pipers and/or pipe bands wear the black (Inverness) rain cape, and they are unlined. (I have one and wear it on occasion when piping.) You'll still look like a flasher, since the capes cover everything to about mid-shin, or a little higher, depending on the fit. Still, for keeping your upper body (mostly - unless you get the IMO geeky-looking hood) dry and getting you out of the wind, they work just fine.

There are a couple of other (more expensive) alternatives in a similar sut but better material that I found just by searching for Inverness capes.

[rtc872]

Inverness capes are fine for anybody. If you are worried about looking like a piper just don't wear white socks. My dream is to own a tweed cape like Forrestermodern. They just ain't cheap.

Cheers

[davidlpope]

Since I don't think this does the kilt wear population's reputation any good I was wondering what you guys did.

Barbour wax jacket or waterproof Inverness Cape, depending on how active I'm going to be. Hunter Wellies if the ground is really soggy.

[Downunder Kilt]

Australian version of the of the Barbour (Drizabone) which you can get lined or a Mr Anthony's Utilmate Inverness cape

[Lallans]

After a really rainy series of highland games a few years ago, games that also included a microburst and a nearby tornado, I have and use a "Band Spec" style nylon Inverness cape.

But for true rain protection I notice that most Scots, be they kilted or nae, use something called "the beer tent."

[Biathlonman]

My Barbour, bought in Inverness more than 25 years ago, is like wearing a Land Rover - but a tired worn out one, with too many holes to fix.

I have an Austrian loden coat, which flares out cape-like and though its the wrong culture, was used by hunters, and looks OK with a kilt in the rain. Avoid the flasher look at all costs.

And an umbrella - unless you're a woman or a clergyman, just looks a bit wimpy if you're not in a city.

[Nick the DSM]

I have wool poncho that does the trick.