Short Sleeves

[Taskr]

I wear short-sleeved shirts a lot in the summer. Most of my polo shirts have stripes or patterns, but would wear one if it didnt clash with the tartan.

[Tobus]

Short-sleeved shirts in general are not "traditional" in the Highlands because it seldom gets warm enough there to warrant such. Those of us in warmer climes have to make reasonable changes to our wardrobe.

When heat is a factor, my first preference is to wear a long-sleeved button-up shirt with sleeves rolled up two or three turns and open at the collar. After that, I'd wear a short-sleeved button-up shirt - again, open at the collar. Last choice would be a "polo" style shirt (I don't even like to wear these with trousers, as they're just not my favorite style). That said, if I do wear that style of pull-over shirt, I like the look of the type with double breast pockets. They sometimes have epaulets too, which I could take or leave. But the double pockets just seem like a better aesthetic with a kilt for some reason.

Here's a photo from about 6 years ago that includes some other details which I wouldn't do these days (shiny buckle, too much tail on my garter ties). Just focus on the shirt, eh?

[ShaunMaxwell]

I'm with Tobus on favoring the two-pocketed variety of short sleeve shirts for warm weather wear with a kilt, as in this photo taken a few years ago at the oh so muddy Grandfather Mountain games:



I tend to get them from Cabela's, and they just happen to be on sale now, if this is the type of thing you're looking for.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/cloth...lar/749218.uts

[Tobus]

I'm with Tobus on favoring the two-pocketed variety of short sleeve shirts for warm weather wear with a kilt, as in this photo taken a few years ago at the oh so muddy Grandfather Mountain games:

I'm glad you pointed out where you get those shirts, Shaun. I had been meaning to ask you, but I always forget. Remind me: does it have the rear vent placket with mesh underneath, like the popular fishing shirts? I seem to recall that it does, but their website didn't specifically mention it except to call it a "double-layer yoke back". Also, does the material on that shirt seem thicker and more substantial than the fishing shirts? Yours always looks neat and crisp compared to fishing shirts which always look wrinkled and crumpled.

I have a couple of those fishing shirts that I use when working outdoors, and the vents are nice when the breeze blows. One thing I'm not fond of with them, though, is the material. They are always a high blend of poly-something. And while I can appreciate that the fabric is thin, it just never seems to breathe very well on me. When I sweat, that material sticks to my skin and seems to trap the moisture in. Does your safari shirt seem to breathe well?

The breathability factor is why I've started favoring linen shirts in the heat. They have a more open weave that allows air to move through. And while the material is thicker and heavier than the light nylon/whatever that fishing shirts tend to use, linen just seems to dry faster and provide some evaporation cooling. But I'm always on the hunt for a better hot weather shirt. We get plenty of heat! The only downside with linen is that it wrinkles badly and always looks a bit disheveled.

My "go-to" linen shirt for kilt-wearing is this green one below. Ironically, Shaun is wearing that same khaki shirt in this photo as we were leaving the Kerr County Celtic Festival a couple of years ago.

[ShaunMaxwell]

Tobus:

The Cabela's safari shirts are not vented, and are a 65/35 poly/cotton blend, but they are a good deal more breathable and comfortable than you'd think. (Full disclosure: I ALWAYS wear a white cotton undershirt with these!) The shirt I sometimes wear that you're thinking of is a 5.11 tactical shirt that I purchased some years ago, as seen in another "blast from the past" photo, this one from Salado (look at those long garter ties! YIKES!):



The cotton 5.11 shirt is quite a bit heavier, and holds up pretty well if sufficiently ironed (though the map pockets/extra velcro make it a bit more challenging to iron), though perhaps not as well as the Cabela's shirt, which are very easy to iron and stay sharp looking no matter what. I have one 5.11, but a closet full of the Cabela's in various shades.

Looks like the current version of the 5.11 can be found here:

http://www.511tactical.com/taclite-p...eve-shirt.html

[MacCathail]

15 years ago or more the Scots Guards pipe band was out here in California and competed at the Pleasanton games. The temperature was at least in the high 90s. . . may even have been 100+. Not unusual for Pleasanton. They ditched the doublets and competed in polo shirts. Royal Stuart kilts to be sure, but polo shirts from the waist up. Being slightly less traditional beats the heck out of being face down on the grass from heat stroke. (IIRC, they won their grade, too.)

Cheers,

-John-

[OC Richard]

Yes I saw them there!

The army has always been practical with such things, having Shirtsleeve Order for hot weather. The polo shirts probably because it was a civilian competition.

Shaun I love that outfit! So traditional AND practical.

[Panache]

For short sleeved shirts I prefer a safari / hiking style one, but I still wear polos when appropriate



Cheers

Jamie

[Blupiper]

I'm with Tobus on favoring the two-pocketed variety of short sleeve shirts for warm weather wear with a kilt, as in this photo taken a few years ago at the oh so muddy Grandfather Mountain games:



I tend to get them from Cabela's, and they just happen to be on sale now, if this is the type of thing you're looking for.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/cloth...lar/749218.uts

Great picture. Hello Kitty wellies, I love them. I think in North America and particularly the West, we see more extreme heat (with humidity in the East) than they do in those places where the traditional attire originated. I second Richard's contention about not wanting to be face-down from the heat. Polos and t-shirts are great for Games in August. Cotton, comfy and, as evidenced, you can represent your clan. My jury is still out on pipebands with waistcoats and short-sleeved shirts. Maybe if each came with a plastic pocket protector?

JMB

[derosa]

I've always thought that polos would look fine with the kilt, just don't really own any as they don't fit my personal style. Only have one which was free from Kryptonite bicycle locks and is about 20 years old at this point. Also fully agree with the button up short-sleeve shirt as a great way to go, though I would also find the waistcoat and short-sleeve to be an odd look. We were hitting the high 80s last sunday and as it was youth Sunday meaning I was the officiant mostly in appearance I could dress down which meant short-sleeve and certainly no vest.