Newsome's Summer Wear

[M. A. C. Newsome]

With all these "Summer Wear" threads in here, I thought I'd contribute with a few of my own photos and comments. I thought about putting this in the "Show us your pics" forum, but as the other summer wear threads have been in the traditional kilt forum, I thought I'd leave it here.

I think part of the challenge of wearing the kilt traditionally is when you are dealing with decidedly non-Scottish climates and how you adapt the kilt while remaining traditionally-minded.

That being said, the outdoor temperature is but one factor to consider impacting your dress, which I think my photos (hopefully) will illustrate.

Before we get into specifics, though, I thought I'd show a few photos of how I generally dress on an average summer day here in NC, temps in the 80s and 90s F, and just perhaps going in for a regular work day at the museum.









A few commonalities you'll note. All the kilts in the above photos are four yard box pleated kilts, made from 16 oz heavy weight worsted tartan. It's a superb way to have a lighter, cooler wearing kilt, without sacrificing in terms of quality of the cloth.

Short sleeves all around, either in a button shirt with collar, or a golf or polo-style shirt.

I mostly forgo a waist belt, though not always. I find that I feel a bit less restricted and slightly cooler and more comfortable without the waist belt, so that definitely helps during the summer.

I'm always wearing kilt hose. While I would not begrudge anyone wearing sandals sans hose to beat the heat, when I go in to the museum I always take heed to reflect a professional image in my dress and I don't think sandals with no hose helps in that regard. Now, if I were wearing the kilt to a neighbor's back yard cook-out or something very casual, that would be another story.

(Side note, I recently wore sandals and no hose in to the museum, breaking my own rule. I had been stung by some nasty insect on the right calf and my entire lower leg had swollen up and was irritated. I couldn't bear the thought of kilt hose and garters that point! So sandals it was!)

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Ok, now let's take you to the Highland Games. These photos are from the Greenville Games a couple of years back. The temperature was sweltering, and I think a few people had to be treated for heat stroke.

Here is a photo of me coverting my neighbor's wife.


I'm wearing more or less what I'd be wearing into the museum on an average summer day. (Not the wool bonnet on my head - that did not stay on all day, and if I recall I just threw it on for the photo).

The Scottish Tartans Museum vends at these games, which meant it was very much a working day for me and I needed to be comfortable, yet respectable looking.

Now, here are two other gentlemen from the same event.

On the left is Romilly Squire, Heraldic artist in the Court of the Lord Lyon, and on the right is Mark Harden, Baron of Cowdenknowes. These two gentlemen were there at the games in an official capacity and so they are dressed accordingly. Yes, it was very hot, but they both took care to wear a tie, long sleeved shirt, jacket, and even waistcoats! (Mark Harden is wearing a waistcoat, but he has unbuttoned it by this point in the day, no doubt as a concession to the heat).

I am sure, however, that both of them tried to stay in the shade as much as possible. And when they had to venture out into the sun, their headwear helped them to stay cool and protected.

I'll add here that when I ran into Mark Harden a bit later in the day, the jacket was off, and his sleeves were rolled up.

Lastly, here is a photo of four X Markers enjoying the games.


Let me begin by saying I think all four are dressed appropriately. But I'm willing to bet that while the three on the left were the most comfortable, the one on the right likely received the most compliments on his attire. I'm not making an judgment one way or the other, but I will maintain that both are perfectly valid options. It just depends on what you want your choice of attire to accomplish for you that day.

[Galician]

Here is a photo of me coverting my neighbor's wife.

Great photos of both yourself and the folks at the Games, Matt.

But was the above a Freudian slip?

[saxandpipes]

Thanks Matt!

A nice range of possibilities here.


Cheers!

Michael

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Great photos of both yourself and the folks at the Games, Matt.

But was the above a Freudian slip?

Maybe I couldn't decide between coveting her and converting her. Or, seeing as it was so sunny and she is fair skinned, I could have simply been trying to cover her, so she wouldn't get sunburned!

[creagdhubh]

Wonderful photos Matt, thank you for sharing! My wife and I will be attending the Dayton Celtic Festival, which is a three day event scheduled in Dayton, Ohio, and the weather is forecasted to be around 85-90 degrees, with moderate humidity. So, with that being said, with the kilt, I have planned to wear a long sleeve tattersal shirt with a necktie only - no tweed waistcoat, and certainly no jacket, it would simply be too hot (though I have done it before)!

Great range...thanks again,

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Photo one. This one was taken the morning of our annual Taste of Scotland festival, which is in the middle of June, and can get quite hot! I was to be recognized with an award at the festival, which involved me marching in the parade that morning and being called onto the main festival stage during the opening ceremonies for recognition. Despite the heat, this is what I wore.

The kilt hose are 100% wool, and so certainly not the coolest I own. However, the kilt itself is a four yard box pleated kilt, so it was quite cool and comfortable. The jacket and waistcoat, though wool, were a lighter weight.

I was not uncomfortable. But later in the day, when I was working in the museum's gift shop, the jacket was off and the sleeves rolled up.

I did give a couple of guided tours of the museum during the day, however, and the jacket went back on so I was dressed more or less as in the photo above (perhaps without the bonnet, I cannot recall).

Contrast that to the below.

Photo two.
This was taken several years ago and I was specifically trying to show how the kilt could be adapted to a "summer fun" care-free, hot weather environment. The idea was to be as casual and cool as possible.


Was I comfortable? You betcha! Did I feel especially "connected" to my Scottish ancestors by wearing that outfit? Not really. :-)

The kilt is of 12 oz wool, and is a five yard "casual" style. I chose a solid color specifically because I had in mind to pair it with a Hawaiian style shirt.

It was a lot of fun to wear, but I'd never make the argument that it was a traditional Highland style!

[creagdhubh]

Again, great photos demonstrating the range, and also the fact that one can simply use "common sense", and adjust one's outfit during hot weather throughout the day. You were absolutely spot on in regards to wearing your tweed jacket and waitcoat when you were officially being recognized, as I would definitely do the same in that capacity. I think some of that "common sense" harkens back to one having a sense of style and an understanding of appropriateness of dress in accordance to various social situations- when to wear that jacket with the kilt, when it's okay to be in only shirtsleeves and no necktie, etc.

Thanks Matt,

[saxandpipes]

Photo one. This one was taken the morning of our annual Taste of Scotland festival, which is in the middle of June, and can get quite hot! I was to be recognized with an award at the festival, which involved me marching in the parade that morning and being called onto the main festival stage during the opening ceremonies for recognition. Despite the heat, this is what I wore.

The kilt hose are 100% wool, and so certainly not the coolest I own. However, the kilt itself is a four yard box pleated kilt, so it was quite cool and comfortable. The jacket and waistcoat, though wool, were a lighter weight.
...

Too right!

Just remember:

Horses sweat, gentlemen perspire, and ladies simply glisten.

Cheers!

Michael

[CMcG]

<snip>
I'll add here that when I ran into Mark Harden a bit later in the day, the jacket was off, and his sleeves were rolled up.

And the waistcoat?