You don't HAVE to wear your kilt...

**Alan H** · 24th June 09, 12:59 PM

...every single freaking MINUTE, for every single activity.

There's a thread in this forum that I put up, somewhat tongue in cheek, about where NOT to wear a kilt. I put it up to kind of illustrate a point, which is that kilts are great, but they're not the optimal thing to wear in ***every single possible situation***.

I suspect that some of our newer, highly enthusiastic members are so gung-ho about kilts that y'all lose sight of the fact that they're CLOTHING and sometimes there are other articles of clothing besides kilts which do a better job of keeping you warm, un-sunburned, decent, protected or whatever. For me, personally, sailing is the perfect example. I COULD wear a kilt sailing. In fact I HAVE worn a kilt sailing, with Piper George who was also in a kilt, on a very calm day. It was fun, we got a lot of laughs from folks who were also in the race and HAHAHAHA! what a riot.

Great.

But if it's blowing 30 knots, there's a 12 foot sea running, I'm solo and tied in with a harness on a jackline, I've got a mess on the foredeck and I'm crawling up there to do a headsail change, I GUARANTEE you that a kilt is not the optimal piece of clothing to wear.

Get real, gentlemen... Sure you can wear a kilt while you're scuba diving, but is it really the best thing to have on your body? You can wear a kilt while playing polo, but is it really better than riding pants? Sure you can wear a kilt to the gym to work out in, but is it really better than gym shorts?

These things are kilts, guys. Not religion.....or to paraphrase the author of "Backyard Boatbuilding", a favorite book of mine...

"It's a KILT, not a SHRINE."

**Panache** · 24th June 09, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

... if it's blowing 30 knots, there's a 12 foot sea running, I'm solo and tied in with a harness on a jackline, I've got a mess on the foredeck and I'm crawling up there to do a headsail change, I GUARANTEE you that a kilt is not the optimal piece of clothing to wear.

Alan,

I should hope not!

You would scare the fish!

Says Panache who was out digging in the yard in very sensible blue jeans

Cheers

Jamie

**ccga3359** · 24th June 09, 01:20 PM

I agree with you Alan even though when I finally go on a 5 day kayaking trip down the Grand River in Southern Ontario I'll do so in a kilt. Just to say that I did I suppose. Sitting for 8 hours on pleats in a kayak seat might not be the most comfortable, who knows? Probably won't be paddling fast enough to pull my knees out from underneath the coaming to make an improptu canvas* dorade vent. It would protect my inner thighs from sunburn though. the squirrels, beavers and any passersby will definately be averting their gaze when I climb in or out lest they risk wanting to gouge their eyes out. Kilt, the best possible sort of clothing? Definately not.

*Or hemp if I can get sponsorship. I'm looking at you Mr. Robert Pel of RKilts, Stratford Ontario. Maker of hemp Mach 5 kilts.

**GreenDragon** · 24th June 09, 01:34 PM

I wore my black watch out on last Saturday in 90 degree weather. MISTAKE!!

**skauwt** · 24th June 09, 01:45 PM

a "hear hear" to Alan h

**Fit2BKilted** · 24th June 09, 04:29 PM

I will freely admit that kilts are not the best attire for every activity... Any industrial setting where protective clothing is required being the most obvious. Electing to wear a kilt swimming, certainly, is no less ridiculous than wearing any other kind of clothing while bathing. I just happen to believe that going kilted is the most desirable attire to adopt when clothing is necessary. I would much rather eschew textiles altogether; and, I've made a habit of doing so whenever such is practical; but, I admire the kilt greatly for its capacity to provide the greatest amount of freedom with social acceptance in the broadest variety of company and circumstances.

**fluter** · 24th June 09, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by GreenDragon

I wore my black watch out on last Saturday in 90 degree weather. MISTAKE!!

... but just imagine how hot you'd have been, if you'd been wearing troosers!

Seriously, a USAK semi-trad is the thing for 4 hours out and about with a high of 95+ and triple-digit heat index, as I was today.

In either case, not wearing a belt makes a huge difference (for the better).

**Jock Scot** · 24th June 09, 01:09 PM

Phew, thank goodness some one has said it from your side of the pond!!! Well said Alan.

**McFarkus** · 24th June 09, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

.if it's blowing 30 knots, there's a 12 foot sea running, I'm solo and tied in with a harness on a jackline, I've got a mess on the foredeck and I'm crawling up there to do a headsail change, I GUARANTEE you that a kilt is not the optimal piece of clothing to wear.

One need's a specialized kilt for this situation. With a UK Survival kilt's "modesty system" in place, one can spare the fishes their blushes.

**Alan H** · 24th June 09, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by McFarkus

One need's a specialized kilt for this situation. With a UK Survival kilt's "modesty system" in place, one can spare the fishes their blushes.

I'm sure you're joking, but I'm gonna run with this as if you're not.

No, a Utilikilt with the modesty system is still not the optimal piece of clothing to wear on the foredeck in 30 knots doing a headsail change. It's got way too much material, which flaps all over the place, and if I'm wrestling down a 250 square foot genoa, the LAST thing I want is more flapping material beating me around the head and shoulders. A utilikilt is not waterproof or water resistant. You say "it dries out fast" and that's fine, but I'm INSIDE that thing and while it's drying it's damn cold. Damn cold makes for damn stupid in short order and there's no quicker way to get hurt or killed on a boat than to get damn stupid.

No, the most intelligent thing to wear in this situation is long polypropylene thermal underwear, over which you have layered properly designed and first-class constructed foul weather gear.