Top Coats for kilts

[Rick]

I understand that the Inverness Cape is the proper thing to wear with the kilt when it is cold. However, in our modern world of driving cars, etc. I can see some problems with the practicality of this garment. The drawing in J. Charles Thompson's book "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt" shows the cape being essentially the length of the kilt. I am interested in the opinions of others on using a long black cashmere coat with the kilt. By long, I mean a top coat that comes down below the folded over top of the hose. For more casual wear, of course, short waist length jackets work well.

Rick

[Archangel]

Once this weather hits, I'm wearing my outback style light drover's coat, and hat. If my kilt is what is underneath, that's part of the plan.
The cape is more for pipers and bicycle cops.
The classic sketches and paintings will have Deerstalker coat and hat, think Sherlock Holmes.

[ByDand]

In 1995 during a trip to Scotland my wife and I went into Stewart & Christie Tailors in Edinburgh. They had an Inverness coat that was a perfect fit. It was traditional and not large caped as we see today. I wear the Inverness as my business overcoat in the winter months with suits and with kilts. I don't think it will ever wear out and it is the most comfortable overcoat I have ever had. The cape part starts at the back of the shoulders and covers the front of the coat. There are no sleeves which make for a very comfortable wear with business suits. The tailor told me the newer styles with long capes around the coat are more "Hollywood" based than traditional. Either one looks good with the kilt and the western style of caped coat also goes well with a kilt. It is your choice, but I like the wool traditional Inverness. If I can talk my wife into it I will have her take a picture of the coat and send it or post it if you like.

[James]

I've just failed to put up a picture that appeared in magazine a bit back of me wearing kilt and a loden cloak-bought in a sale in Austria some years ago.

A cloak is very warm-I think warmer than a regular overcoat-and adds that bit of dash so lacking in an overcoat.

James

[Planopiper]

We found some navy wool in a fabric store a couple of years ago and my wife made me an inverness cape. I'm not following the part about how it's not practical in the modern world. I have no more problem with it in the car than I do with the kilt. Actually it keeps the kilt from spreading out. The only thing I regret is that there are so few opportunities to actually us it here in Texas. I'm not familiar with older designs for inverness capes. The cape portion is adequate for covering my arm and the pipe bag. I'm not sure how well a smaller cape would work.

[Iolaus]

I don't see a problem with the Inverness that any other long style wouldn't have as well; the cape doesn't impair the arms, as the body should have actual arm holes, not just slits, and the cape portion can just fall to the sides. The problem I have is that they're so damn expensive! I've seen the nylon style that's sold, but that's just a step up from the cellophane rain ponchos you keep in your glove box!

I wish someone would come out with a less expensive Inverness that's made of a more modern style fabric, like the canvas kilts. They would be of a more casual style, but with a nod toward tradition still, just like the kilts.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

...If I can talk my wife into it I will have her take a picture of the coat and send it or post it if you like.

ByDand, Please do post a pic. I would like to see what it looks like as well.