Highland games attire

[Tobus]

Especially at hot sunny US Southwestern Highland Games what I might call a new style of traditional Highland Dress has emerged, all traditional, as one might see at a Games in Scotland, but with a brimmed hat such as a Tilley hat.

Yours Truly and other X-Markers at the Sacramento Games

Very sensible choices! I also wear a Tilley hat to Highland Games in hot weather. After having a scare earlier this year with potential skin cancer, I am done with exposing my skin to the blazing sun when I don't have to. I spent way too many years out working in the sun without proper protection. Those of us with pale skin and blue eyes have the highest risk of skin cancer.

It must be nice, though, to have the kind of "hot" weather where you can still wear ties and waistcoats! The Highland Games that occur here in Texas during the summer usually involve heat of between 95-105 degrees F and 90% humidity. We would roast inside waistcoats and soak them completely through with sweat. I will suffer a little for fashion or tradition, but I must draw a line somewhere!

When it's that hot, I typically opt for comfort over tradition, as most people do here. My preference is for a linen shirt, either short-sleeved or with long sleeves rolled up (and sunscreen liberally applied on all bare skin). I haven't yet found a material that breathes like linen.