kilts in the rain.

[Mel1721L]

I have several waist length, zip-front, collared racing jackets and/or "baseball" jackets as we Americans call them, made of water-repellent nylon-cotton or nylon-polyester blends, as well as three waist length leather racing/motorcyle/bomber type jackets, in black, brown, sage green and red, for casual kilted wear in wet (or wet and cold) conditions. For really nasty conditions--especially when I'm wearing formal or semi-formal kilted wear--I have a full-length Russian Navy Officer's Cape, made of heavy weight black cotton cavalry twill, with a laminated rubber interior layer and a large, detachable hood; I bought mine from an eBay seller in Germany who posts listings for them regularly at a very attractive price. The Russian Army version of these capes--in a brownish-green color--are also regularly available from eBay sellers in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, etc. They are extremely well-made and an excellently affordable alternative to Inverness capes, the basic/economy models of which can be quite dear. My usual, preferred cold/wet weather protective head wear for all of these is a simple black wool beret, although my black leather driving cap is a casual option. Aside from all that, simply heed the little Celtic voice that whispers "wool, Wool, WOOL", and remember, as the all-seasons, all-conditions cyclist in me has learned (the hard way) that it's better to be Wet And Warm, as opposed to Wet And Cold.

My father in law, who I've never met was a Major in the Red Army, maybe he can source one. Their kit isn't too bad. I prefer a broad brimmed slouch hat for sun and rain, its ok except when its too windy, then I'll go for a beret.