Kilt wearing in the summer

[prattw]

Cajunscot,

The problem with wool in the summer, in truely hot climates, isn't that the wool wears hotter than other fabrics of the same weight - it doesn't. It's that the rise of your kilt is going to be sweatsoaked, regardless of fabric. Acrylic you chuck in the washer and hang dry. Wool has to be dry cleaned, and that's both a pain and a major expense at far too much per pleat. My wool kilts are reserved for indoor wear only in summer. Of course, my summer is apt to be a lot hotter than yours.

Will Pratt

[macwilkin]

Cajunscot,

The problem with wool in the summer, in truely hot climates, isn't that the wool wears hotter than other fabrics of the same weight - it doesn't. It's that the rise of your kilt is going to be sweatsoaked, regardless of fabric. Acrylic you chuck in the washer and hang dry. Wool has to be dry cleaned, and that's both a pain and a major expense at far too much per pleat. My wool kilts are reserved for indoor wear only in summer. Of course, my summer is apt to be a lot hotter than yours.

Will Pratt

True, but as we used to say in AZ, "but's it's a DRY heat!" ;)

My experience has always been that man-made stuff is far more uncomfortable than wool, but my experience is a little different than most -- and point taken about the dry-cleaning, since most CW reenactors do NOT take their uniforms into dry-clean -- much more "authentic" if you don't! :mrgreen:

T.

[UmAnOnion]

True, but as we used to say in AZ, "but's it's a DRY heat!" ;)

My experience has always been that man-made stuff is far more uncomfortable than wool, but my experience is a little different than most -- and point taken about the dry-cleaning, since most CW reenactors do NOT take their uniforms into dry-clean -- much more "authentic" if you don't! :mrgreen:

T.

having grown up in a far more tropical climate than the one in which i currentyly reside (where businessmen wear blazers & shorts to work - put that hint together with my username & you might just figure out where) worsted wool can be far cooler than man made fibers, if of tropical weight. Would be neat & crisp & surprisingly durable and not too hot for your more formal kilting occasions.

[macwilkin]

having grown up in a far more tropical climate than the one in which i currentyly reside (where businessmen wear blazers & shorts to work - put that hint together with my username & you might just figure out where) worsted wool can be far cooler than man made fibers, if of tropical weight. Would be neat & crisp & surprisingly durable and not too hot for your more formal kilting occasions.

That's an easy yin...Bermuda! :mrgreen:

http://www.bermuda-online.org/shorts.htm

I've always fancied a pair of Bermuda shorts to wear with a blue blazer in the summer -- but I doubt it would be received well! :sad:

Cheers,

Todd

[UmAnOnion]

That's an easy yin...Bermuda! :mrgreen:

http://www.bermuda-online.org/shorts.htm

I've always fancied a pair of Bermuda shorts to wear with a blue blazer in the summer -- but I doubt it would be received well! :sad:

Cheers,

Todd

GIVE THAT MAN THE GRAND PRIZE!!!

You got it in one, my good man!!! duly impressed!

Down there that is the office 'uniform' - and EVERYBODY wears that thru the summer months and more than a few continue it well into the winter as well. Its suprisingly comfortable and the worsted wool blazers stand up to all sorts of mistreatment (ah memories from my mis-spent youth) and keep on shining thru... I have see one person so garbed up here in NYC. Didnt recognize him from back there but am sure he had some connection to that island in the sun.

Maybe the shorts were the start of my preference for keeping my knees nicely aired out.... Hhhhmmmm......

[macwilkin]

GIVE THAT MAN THE GRAND PRIZE!!!

You got it in one, my good man!!! duly impressed!

Down there that is the office 'uniform' - and EVERYBODY wears that thru the summer months and more than a few continue it well into the winter as well. Its suprisingly comfortable and the worsted wool blazers stand up to all sorts of mistreatment (ah memories from my mis-spent youth) and keep on shining thru... I have see one person so garbed up here in NYC. Didnt recognize him from back there but am sure he had some connection to that island in the sun.

Maybe the shorts were the start of my preference for keeping my knees nicely aired out.... Hhhhmmmm......

Is Trimingham's still open, btw? I heard a nasty rumour that they were closing -- and I never did get to order a pair of shorts or a "Bermuda Blazer" from them, more's the pity!

T.

[UmAnOnion]

Is Trimingham's still open, btw? I heard a nasty rumour that they were closing -- and I never did get to order a pair of shorts or a "Bermuda Blazer" from them, more's the pity!

T.

unfortunately the nasty rumor you heard was true. Triminghams is no more. They bought the other large department store next door - H A & E Smiths - a couple of years back, and then went under due to poor sales & too much floor space...
You can still get the shorts at the English Sports Shop & at A.S.Coopers - neither of which appear to allow you to order online... luddites!!! I would offer you the 20 off pair that i had back when i was there but i did a ceremonial torching of the lot of them right before my departure.
I still have a blazer from Triminghams in my closet somewhere to this day. its a little snug but still wearable... :-)
but if you get the chance go shop & take lotsa money!!! the tourism industry is suffering down there BADLY!!! :-?