Making it stay put.

[Bill]

Hello All!

Ok I know I may be treading on thin ice here but the curiosity bug has bitten so I must give into the fever.

There has been much discussion about the merits of the "underkilt" and I am in hope that we'll not rehash what we've learned but I have a question that will not go away. so...

I've seen it mentioned here and on one or two forums I stop in and visit occasionally that the use of the underkilt helps to reduce the problem of the wind lifting ones kilts. My question is this: Does anyone have experiance or done some research on this or is it a "kilt myth"?

Well then there it is I hope I haven't opened a can of worms with my curiosity.

Slainte' M'Hath!
Bill

[Jordan]

I would imagine (And this is based on absolutely nothing but guess work!) that if it's wind enough to lift your kilt then an under kilt won't do much to help "protect your modesty". I think the main reason for an under kilt is to keep your kilt cleaner.

Just my tuppence however
Jordan

[ctbuchanan]

I promised myself that I would never venture into this subject matter, but I guess I'm too smart to listen to my own advice.

My personal opinion is that they call it "going regimental" for a reason and that the one and only time a kiltwearer should indulge himself is when surrounded only by other men i.e. the regiment. When in mixed company or a family style event such as a wedding, highland games etc there is no excuse for risking someone else's sensibilities just to satisfy some type of Scottish machismo.

Forget the under kilt and wear some silk boxers (no static cling).

Now I'll sit back and take my beating from the rabble.

[Pleater]

I would say yes, that when wearing a kilt liner my kilt doesn't fly in the same way as when it is worn alone.

The pleats will flutter, but a selvedge up around the neck incident is far less likely.

In cold weather there is much less draught with a kilt liner, so I assume that the air is somehow excluded.

It must be something to do with the aerodynamics.

I don't think it has anything to do with the yards of lace I sew around the edges of the liners.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Bugbear]

We need an X Marks the Scot wind tunnel and test facility.

[Steve Ashton]

We have an X Marks wind tunnel and test facility but it is so secret that if I tell you where it is I would then need to cut off your head and keep it in the safe.
All I can say is if you go to area 51, look to your left.

Having worn kilts for a while now I can say that it is the design of the kilt that will affect the lifting in the wind far more than what is or is not worn under it.

If your kilts Fell is properly sewn and tapered and if the bottom of the fell is in the right place your pleats could blow up till totally horizontal and not offend.

Look at highland athletes. They have their kilts swinging and swishing like mad.



You can see that the kilt flips out only from the bottom of the Fell down. Above that everything is perfectly in place with no modesty problem.
It really does not have anything to do with what is under the kilt.

[Mikilt]

Thanks Ted,
I just spit soda all over my homework. An XTMS wind tunnel is a splendid idea!

As to the OP's question, I am with Jordan. An underkilt preserves cleanliness, not modesty. I have some underkilts that I've made from old t-shirts, but ultimately I find undershorts most comfortable

[Chas]

I would imagine (And this is based on absolutely nothing but guess work!) that if it's wind enough to lift your kilt then an under kilt won't do much to help "protect your modesty". I think the main reason for an under kilt is to keep your kilt cleaner.

Just my tuppence however
Jordan

I agree totally with Jordan. Most underkilts that I have seen are made of a satiny/nylony/slippy material so that the kilt can move easily and not get hung up on the underkilt. So if anything they might assist a kilt to lift rather than hindering the process.

I once had to learn about the 'co-efficient of friction'. All I can remember is that 0 in the C o F is equivalent to wet ice sliding on wet ice. This has nothing to do with kilts, but is nice to remember on excessively hot days.

If an underkilt stops a kilt lifting that can only be a bonus, but I don't think it is a built in feature.

Regards

Chas

[Bill]

I promised myself that I would never venture into this subject matter, but I guess I'm too smart to listen to my own advice.

My personal opinion is that they call it "going regimental" for a reason and that the one and only time a kiltwearer should indulge himself is when surrounded only by other men i.e. the regiment. When in mixed company or a family style event such as a wedding, highland games etc there is no excuse for risking someone else's sensibilities just to satisfy some type of Scottish machismo.

Forget the under kilt and wear some silk boxers (no static cling).

Now I'll sit back and take my beating from the rabble.

Hmmm silk and wool now that might be a bit of a shock in the right circumstances! !
Seriously though I agree that there are proper times for proper attire.

Slainte'
Bill

[Bill]

Thank-you for the answers and humor that have been offered so far.

Bugbear your going to be the ruin of my conputer one of these days after I've spewed some nice refreshing drink all over it. But I do agree we need to find the X Marks wind tunnel and do some research. Time for the "Mission Impossible" Theme.
Watchout Steve here we come!

Just a quick note I wasn't trying to open up the whole debate about the underkilt usage. My feelings are "To each his own" with defference paid to ones situation and those present. Just trying to dispell a possible myth.

So on with the conversation.

BTW Steve thanks for the insight from the kiltmaking side.

Slainte'
Bill