Winter's coming on in July here in Colorado-What to do

[Benning Boy]

I like the luhkka. I can see advantages to it. However, I've also wondered about wearing a pelerine with a kilt in cold weather. It's a Germanic garment mainly, and is traditionally made of loden cloth.

Here are some pictures of fancier versions, mostly shown on women but you'll get the idea.

http://flickrhivemind.net/flickr_hvm...rine,regencape

The pelerine is longer than the Luhkka, with a level hem. It's hooded, often detachable with a regular collar underneath. It buttons up the front. There are two slots through the front for the hands to pass through, making it unnecessary to spread the cape wide and dump all the trapped warm air. There are often cargo pockets on the inside. Two fabric straps run downward from the shoulders, are criss-crossed across the chest and buttoned together in the back. This lets the pelerine be thrown off and hang from the shoulders when its warmth isn't needed. To my mind it's a very practical garment. Although, I'm sure the Lairds would have a heart attack even at the thought of mixing trachtenmode with traditional highland dress, but if you're odd enough to regularly wear the kilt, and even odder enough to wear one in very cold conditions, then it shouldn't seem so odd to wear a pelerine over a kilt. There is of course the Inverness cape, but it seems to me the earlier garment, the pelerine, a folk garment -- like the kilt -- rather than a fashion garment, designed for wear in cold and snow is the all-around better mantle. Rather than spend Big Euros on a genuine loden pelerine, it shouldn't be too hard to workout a pattern and make one on your own. It's on my list of things to do someday

[Lodrorigdzin]

I like the luhkka. I can see advantages to it. However, I've also wondered about wearing a pelerine with a kilt in cold weather. It's a Germanic garment mainly, and is traditionally made of loden cloth.

Here are some pictures of fancier versions, mostly shown on women but you'll get the idea.

http://flickrhivemind.net/flickr_hvm...rine,regencape

The pelerine is longer than the Luhkka, with a level hem. It's hooded, often detachable with a regular collar underneath. It buttons up the front. There are two slots through the front for the hands to pass through, making it unnecessary to spread the cape wide and dump all the trapped warm air. There are often cargo pockets on the inside. Two fabric straps run downward from the shoulders, are criss-crossed across the chest and buttoned together in the back. This lets the pelerine be thrown off and hang from the shoulders when its warmth isn't needed. To my mind it's a very practical garment. Although, I'm sure the Lairds would have a heart attack even at the thought of mixing trachtenmode with traditional highland dress, but if you're odd enough to regularly wear the kilt, and even odder enough to wear one in very cold conditions, then it shouldn't seem so odd to wear a pelerine over a kilt. There is of course the Inverness cape, but it seems to me earlier garment, the pelerine, a folk garment -- like the kilt -- rather than a fashion garment, designed for wear in cold and snow is the all-around better mantle. Rather than spend Big Euros on a genuine loden pelerine, it shouldn't be too hard to workout a pattern and make one on your own. It's on my list of things to do someday

Interesting. It's the same principle, I think. Reindeer herders use their coiled up lassos, worn across the chest, to keep the luhkka in check. Fjallraven has tried to reproduce that in "buttoning up" sleeves. But I still wear my sling bag over my luhkka. The pelerine sounds more practical in this respect. The fjallraven luhkka has a big "kangaroo" pouch, like an anarok has and two side pockets. The pouch can also be accessed from inside and holds incredible amounts of "stuff".

Anyway, like you, I think "folk garments" fit well together.

[Half Scot Half Pole]

Benning Boy, being warm is fashionable and very traditional. I have seen great coats, all wool from the Outer Hebrides, in the local thrift store for about $20 US, but none with the shoulder coverings.

But I am considering a wool Pakistani-style head covering that would definitely fall over the shoulders. I simply wore a towel over my head last year and made a tunnel around my face for breathing.

[Dileasgubas]

I was out in Ottawa on New Year's Eve for Hogmanay this year, with a couple of hundred other kilt wearers. Temperatures were in the unreasonable range. Most of us were wearing standard 9yd wool kilts and were fine as long as we had a decent cape / coat and boots. I was actually surprised how well a kilt traps body heat. Those in brogues and PCs wisely opted to stay inside...

[Benning Boy]

The head wrap seems interesting. May have to give it a try. I've used shemaughs in warm weather to good effect.

Mackinaw coat.jpg

I've been thinking a mackinaw coat similar to this one, cut to kilt length would make a very nice winter coat for the kilted man. I recall seeing one in waxed cotton cloth with a wool, I believe, lining. Panther Primitives did sell waxed cloth by the yard. Maybe they still do. A kilt coat with Carhartt-ish properties could be made, but in style more compatible with a kilt.

[Steve Ashton]

Just one word of caution.

I have discovered that if you say "winter is coming" too loudly, somebody comes along with a big sword and cuts your head off.

[Mikilt]

Just one word of caution.

I have discovered that if you say "winter is coming" too loudly, somebody comes along with a big sword and cuts your head off.

You just made Diet Coke come out of my nose.