Inverness Cape?

[Troglodyte]

It's often VERY cold here in Montana in wintertime. We approach the number where °F and °C are the same integer (that's –40° for those who don't remember their high school math and science classes) almost every winter once or twice. I probably wear a kilt more often in Winter than in Summer because I do so for occasions where looking good is appropriate (for example, we have a Symphony Orchestra in Bozeman that plays WAY above its weight, and just the fact that I show up kilted brings attention from our outstanding conductor and guest soloists in the post-concert meet and greet lobby sessions).

The last time I was in Scotland I spent a tiny amount of time inquiring about an Inverness Cape (wandering into Kinloch Anderson after touring the Royal Yacht Britannia). Although they sell them, they did not have any in the store. I've never actually SEEN one (an ex band piper showed me his rain cape, but except while being worn, it's basically almost a shapeless piece of plastic).

I've not seen any discussion of Inverness Capes here with posts newer than a decade ago, but the few I've read have some enthusiastic endorsements. Of course, the real item from Scotland is extraordinarily pricey (I suspect I could add 2-3 VERY nice kilts to my collection for the same cost as a tweed Inverness Cape).

I do have a good American wool overcoat, so this certainly isn't something I NEED desperately, but I'm just curious. Have any forum members much experience wearing one while kilted in REALLY cold weather?

The Inverness cape takes essentially two forms - they are both like a large, loose unstructured overcoat without sleeves. One has the loose cape sleeves sewn into the side seem and attached to the back; the other has an all-round cape that drapes from the shoulder to cuff level, and so gives added cover or protection from the elements.

The cape is more about providing cover, rather than insulation against the cold - and not really suitable for a Montana winter without an additional (quilted or woollen) lining. Think of draping a blanket (or plaid) about your shoulders, and you will get a good idea of how the cape works.

The important thing to remember is that the cape is loose and flighty at the best of times, and a lightweight cloth (the usual tweed suitings or kiltings) are entirely unsuitable. The rain-cape version are intentially lightweight, but for different reasons.

My advice (and this comes from three decades of cape-wearing) is to get one in the heaviest weight cloth you can find - anything less than 28oz will be too light - even though the makers offer the option. Something like the Glenlyon 32oz (700gms) tweeds are, I would say, the minimum, but would give little in the way of warmth for one of your winters. A better option might be to have one made up in a Melton cloth, which is very warm.

If lined with an insulating quilting or similar, an Inverness cape would be ideal winter-wear for when going kilted, but make sure it is long enough to cover the bare-knee area between kilt and hose-tops - thus keeping out biting winter winds. My cape falls to about mid-calf height, and I would want it no shorter for this reason.

Also, having the bottom hem weighted slightly so as to keep the cape in close control, so to speak, in breezy conditions. In still, frosty weather the cape works wonderfully well - rather like a tea-cozy sitting snugly over a freshly-brewed pot.