Winter kilts

[Kylahullu]

You just need to yard them up a bit Terry. Even if cold out your knees want to show.

Why? (Yes, the tradition or fashion but still...)

This is a question I have been thinking a bit. If it is cold it is cold, period! No weather above the freezing point is cold. And if you are freezing it is not the fault of the weather but the clothing you wear.

In every discussion of the great kilt there has sooner or later been someone saying it is/was a versatile garment; when the weather is cold it can be worn longer and in warm weather it could be shorter. So, why not taking this idea to this "small kilt" we use today? If someone has a kilt for cold weather why not have it a bit longer?

By my "preliminary tests" two inches longer drop makes a difference in -10C (14F). That puts the hemline just below the knee cup and gives them some protection from the elements. Will continue testing.

I got this idea when I got a cheap heavy woollen "too long" kilt from ebay. I was thinking of shortening it by hemming it, but postponed the job to see if it worked better as is as a winter kilt.

[Spartan Tartan]

I really like that blue one. I'm partial to blue, perhaps. Very nice work.

[Micric]

Why? (Yes, the tradition or fashion but still...)

This is a question I have been thinking a bit. If it is cold it is cold, period! No weather above the freezing point is cold. And if you are freezing it is not the fault of the weather but the clothing you wear.

In every discussion of the great kilt there has sooner or later been someone saying it is/was a versatile garment; when the weather is cold it can be worn longer and in warm weather it could be shorter. So, why not taking this idea to this "small kilt" we use today? If someone has a kilt for cold weather why not have it a bit longer?

By my "preliminary tests" two inches longer drop makes a difference in -10C (14F). That puts the hemline just below the knee cup and gives them some protection from the elements. Will continue testing.

I got this idea when I got a cheap heavy woollen "too long" kilt from ebay. I was thinking of shortening it by hemming it, but postponed the job to see if it worked better as is as a winter kilt.

Good morning Kylahullu,
Why? may appear a pertinent question, and I May oversimplify things, but to me a long kilt Really blurs the line between a kilt and a skirt, and I for one don't want anyone to mistake me for an old spinster!
Re. Cold, I can sympathise, as where we live in Western Canada (Alberta) we can get cold, as in -20 to -40- odd (C).
I still don't wear a kilt longer though, your knees get used to it, and if it's Too cold, wear trousers. Simple as that.
I know my opinion is not everyone's opinion, but as we are all entitled to one, mine is that a long kilt looks B. awful!

If we look at the normal & modern fashion for the kilt, it will be noted that the length is to the top or at most mid knee.

If we look at it historically, a long cloak, plaid, or "matchcoat" (essentially a wool blanket) would be worn in cold weather, and the latter is very effective and can go mid calf Over a kilt and look perfectly correct.

I still feel leave the kilt as it should be, and wear appropriate apparel over it, or wear your normal trousers till it warms up! :-)

Very best wishes,
Richard.

[cessna152towser]

Looking good.
I especially like the navy blue boxpleat kilt. Very stylish and a nice length for a cold day.

[terryk]

Thanks for all the positive remarks. If I had checked my submission before posting it, I would have realised that I had posted the same picture twice! I intended the second Tweed picture to be a close-up of thr tweed box pleat. But I seem to be having trouble with a very unresponsive and irratic photobucket, so I have removed the broken link.

Kind regards
Terry

[Micric]

Kylahullu,

I don't want to detract from Terry's thread, to-ing and fro-ing about what we may think about proper lengths for kilts.
Terry did a fantastic job on these, and I for one couldn't even begin.
That I thought they were a tad long wasn't meant to become the main issue here, so let us let it rest.

Terry, So sorry for hi-jacking your thread, You did a grand job in the construction of these!

Kindest regards,

Richard.

[Kylahullu]

Kylahullu,

I don't want to detract from Terry's thread, to-ing and fro-ing about what we may think about proper lengths for kilts.
Terry did a fantastic job on these, and I for one couldn't even begin.
That I thought they were a tad long wasn't meant to become the main issue here, so let us let it rest.

Terry, So sorry for hi-jacking your thread, You did a grand job in the construction of these!

Kindest regards,

Richard.

Well, I did not understand that replying to a thread named "Winter kilts" and taking part to a conversation about what makes a kilt a winter kilt can be thought as hi-jacking a thread... Even if the thread is in the DIY showroom section. But you learn something every day.

Anyway, good looking winter kilts in the first post.

[tpa]

Thanks for all the positive remarks. If I had checked my submission before posting it, I would have realised that I had posted the same picture twice! I intended the second Tweed picture to be a close-up of thr tweed box pleat. But I seem to be having trouble with a very unresponsive and irratic photobucket, so I have removed the broken link.

Kind regards
Terry

Terry was this the one you intended?

[terryk]

Terry was this the one you intended?

Yes this is the picture Alastair.
Thanks for posting it.
Terry

[Shrek]

I really like the box pleats