tights ?

[macwilkin]

myself, I'd put jeans on before I'd put tights on.
traditionally, kilted highlanders wore kilts all winter. I remember being required to wear shorts all winter in elementary school in Scotland. Is that still the case?
four winters of trench warfare, and the only real changes in kit would be greatcoat and hat. There's little literature on the cold vs non-kilted soldier. There's some on anti-frostbite salve for knees invented by the VC with bar doctor.
Some pictures of Red River valley, Alberta, settlers with kilts in winter.
Doesn't really tell you much, does it?

I understand Scotland has colder winters than it did in my childhood. I remember them as brighter because the "rain" was white and reflected light as opposed to the usual grey. But then I'm photophobic anyway, like the Douglas thing.

There is some evidence that Highlanders stationed in North America during the French & Indian War wore Native American wool leggings under their kilts (these leggings are knee-high with braided "flashes" to hold them up); there is a picture of such an outfit in Stuart Reid's "18th Century Highlanders" by Osprey Publishing.

And then of course, George VI on his visit to Scotland in 1822 reportedly wore pink or flesh-coloured tight under his kilt! ;) (NOTE: TOUNGE FIRMLY PLANTED IN-CHEEK!)

I've worn my kilts through many winters with just traditional kilt hose, and really, I've never been that cold -- the knees are all bone anyway. :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

[Angus]

There is some evidence that Highlanders stationed in North America during the French & Indian War wore Native American wool leggings under their kilts (these leggings are knee-high with braided "flashes" to hold them up); there is a picture of such an outfit in Stuart Reid's "18th Century Highlanders" by Osprey Publishing.

And then of course, George VI on his visit to Scotland in 1822 reportedly wore pink or flesh-coloured tight under his kilt!

Would you happen to have any links that we could visit?

[macwilkin]

Would you happen to have any links that we could visit?

Sure, Angus!

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/titl...ser=MAA~per=12

Click on the "view larger image" link & you will see the aforementioned Highlander with Indian leggings on the front cover!

(Be careful, Osprey books are ADDICITIVE! I have a rather large collection that I have amassed over the years!)

Cheers,

Todd

[Geoduck]

The leggings look great, though I'm sure I'll be happy to use the traditional hose more often next winter.

I've been thinking about the tights thing, too. My poly long underwear has served me well for years now and I'm wondering about football games at Martin Stadium being overly cold come November. I haven't decided what will come of that, but I"m not sure I'll go with a kilt for those games. Although, who knows? I might make sportscenter in a kilt out there!

[awoodfellow]

i'm quite sure tights are not in my future; however, the mention of leggings caught my attention. so as google is my friend .....


in reference to the Wyandot Lifestyle ....
http://www.wyandot.org/wylife.html [ a very interesting read]

"Dress moccasins, tunics, breech clouts, kilts and leggings were quite often made of blackened buckskin.

'brose ...

[Blu (Ontario)]

IMHO, this thread more properly belongs in the "off topic" section.

Whatever... If I recall correctly, I believe the individual you describe sporting the tights to be more of an advocate of 'fashion freedom' rather than kilts... hence my first comment. Personally, I think fashion legwear with kilts is crossing the line of kilt propriety for men. Sorry... it just looks wrong. Besides, it doesn't make sense to expound on the freedom kilts afford and then bind oneself up in slick lycra. It may well be that there are now tights being manufactured with the male figure in mind. Fine... if inclined, wear 'em in the winter as an extra layer under trousers. If you going to wear a kilt... leave 'em in the drawer. There are other forums on the net that actively encourage & support fashion liberty / confusion issues... issues better left to those venues.

Speaking of confusion, I understand that 'tights' has a slightly different meaning in the UK than it does in North America?

[Ranald]

Blu, isn't wearing a kilt to some supporting fashion freedom?
My only confusion, if that's what you want to call it is how to keep warm in the winter, seeing as I wear long johns all through winter and sometimes a bit into spring due to my legs getting too cold and basically freezing up (severe pain).
I suppose the aswer is try it and see I'm sure though I'll work something out being a resourceful chap.
cheers for the replies.

[Pittsburgh Kilts]

... I believe the individual you describe sporting the tights to be more of an advocate of 'fashion freedom' rather than kilts... hence my first comment....

....Besides, it doesn't make sense to expound on the freedom kilts afford and then bind oneself up in slick lycra...

I agree with Blu--it does seem like it would negate the freeing benefits of being in a kilt. However, in the interest of Fashion Freedom (always a good cause), I'll post this link:

ActiveSkin

One of my customers (who is a pretty BIG guy) swears that these are really comfortable. I dunno. Seems like it would make it a lot harder to pee. But if you are thinking about tights, give these guys a look.

[Raphael]

I hate tights and I am a Cyclist. I much prefer riding in shorts, even when the temperature drops below 10 degree C.

[Archangel]

There is some evidence that Highlanders stationed in North America during the French & Indian War wore Native American wool leggings under their kilts (these leggings are knee-high with braided "flashes" to hold them up); there is a picture of such an outfit in Stuart Reid's "18th Century Highlanders" by Osprey Publishing.

And then of course, George VI on his visit to Scotland in 1822 reportedly wore pink or flesh-coloured tight under his kilt! ;)

I've worn my kilts through many winters with just traditional kilt hose, and really, I've never been that cold -- the knees are all bone anyway. :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

Oh, I've seen the illustrations, I wouldn't be using GR VI as a fashion reference for anything. It's only because he was king that he got away with that, and barely.
Seriously, yes, I've seen pictures of the "leggings", and I am separating them from tights in my taxonomy. I think the Liverpool Scottish website has pictures from the trenches in winter, with leggings. (I think I can remember rolling my own socks over my knees to stay warm.)

Go with Robert's experience, he lives down the road but he's braver than me, and we've just gone through one of the coldest winters, (this summer's breaking records too).