How's this for a Kilt Shirt?

[The Wizard of BC]

To answer Panache's query about why hemp, I've copied some paragraphs from the website of one of our textile suppliers.

"Hemp fiber is one of the strongest and most durable of all natural textile fibers. Not only is hemp strong, but it also holds its shape, stretching less than any other natural fiber. This prevents hemp garments from stretching out or becoming distorted with use. Hemp may be known for its durability, but its comfort and style are second to none. The more hemp is used, the softer it gets. Hemp doesn't wear out, it wears in. Hemp is also naturally resistant to mold and ultraviolet light.

Due to the porous nature of the fiber, hemp ... can ... "breathe," so that it is cool in warm weather. Furthermore, air which is trapped in the fibers is warmed by the body, making hemp garments naturally warm in cooler weather.

As a fabric, hemp provides all the warmth and softness of a natural textile but with a superior durability seldom found in other materials. Hemp is extremely versatile and can be used for countless products such as apparel, accessories, shoes, furniture, and home furnishings. Apparel made from hemp incorporates all the beneficial qualities and will likely last longer and withstand harsh conditions. Hemp blended with other fibers easily incorporates the desirable qualities of both textiles. The soft elasticity of cotton or the smooth texture of silk combined with the natural strength of hemp creates a whole new genre of fashion design.

Hemp is an extremely fast growing crop, producing more fiber yield per acre than any other source. Hemp can produce 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax using the same amount of land. The amount of land needed for obtaining equal yields of fiber place hemp at an advantage over other fibers.

Hemp grows best in warm tropical zones or in moderately cool, temperate climates, such as the United States. Hemp leaves the soil in excellent condition for any succeeding crop, especially when weeds may otherwise be troublesome. Where the ground permits, hemp's strong roots descend for three feet or more. The roots anchor and protect the soil from runoff, building and preserving topsoil and subsoil structures similar to those of forests. Moreover, hemp does not exhaust the soil. Hemp plants shed their leaves all through the growing season, adding rich organic matter to the topsoil and helping it retain moisture. Farmers have reported excellent hemp growth on land that had been cultivated steadily for nearly 100 years."

Based on a number of requests from X Marks members and our local shoppers we decided to try shirts from Hemp.

We live in the Fernwood area of Victoria, We work in a building where the owners and tenents are commited to sustainability and a minimum footprint on the enviroment (e.g. Geothermal Heat Pump, Solar Hot Water, total recycling).

I was extremely suspicious about hemp at first, but I have found I like the feel, texture and the 'hand' of these fabrics. As many of you know, we take our products seriously and did a lot of research. We are not just making a shirt to have something to sell. We believe that Hemp and Hemp blends provide a shirt with a quality look, a great feel, and superb durability.

[Pour1Malt]

aye... ai ken aboot hemp....



whit aboot colours mon!!!?

[scoutniagara]

I too, would be interested in a couple of kilt shirts such as those you've shown. I'd prefer a button-down collar, too.

Re: hemp as a fibre
""Hemp fiber bundles are up to fifteen feet long, while cotton fibers are a mere three-quarters of an inch, which reportedly gives hemp eight times the tensile strength and four times the durability of cotton. Hemp has a natural luster and takes dyes beautifully, due to its superior absorbency."
http://www.hemphouse.com/docs/hempinfo.html

For information on a "hilt". http://www.the-hilt.com/the_hilt.html

"We are closing out our hemp/cotton, because we have recently developed lightweight, linen-like 100% hemp fabrics...These fabrics have an unparalleled rich and supple hand and are 100% ecological." http://www.fourgates.com/furniture_organic.asp

"Hemp is nature's longest, strongest, most durable fiber. As a fabric it is softer, more insulating, absorbent, breathable, and durable than cotton."
http://www.sustainablespirit.org/why_hemp.html

For now, as mentioned elsewhere in this forum, I'm ordering a couple of these nightshirts. http://www.internationalmale.com/pro...=&Au=RollupKey

[The Wizard of BC]

The colors I listed;
Off White (the lighter shirt),
Beige (the darker shirt),
Blue, (think faded blue denim)
Cranberry, (I haven't actually seen this color yet)
Black, (this one is still in the mail too)
are the only colors I can get without a minimum 1000meter special order.

[Ruanaidh]

The shirts look wonderful, Steve. And a definate yes for French cuffs.

[Hamish]

What a great notion, Steve. The additional length is a super consideration which, for the warmth factor alone, is well worth my thinking seriously about. Slightly fuller sleeves would be an improvement to my mind, but not necessarily as full as the early prototype. Personally, button down collars are definitely a no-no, but I quite like the 'grandfather' collar (although I'm not sure it would suit me!). Creasing after laundering is not a major problem since I am an ironing freak - I iron everything and anything if it stays still long enough (!) - but I would not want a shirt that creases like crazy whilst being worn.

More power to you Steve. You really could be on to a winner with dedicated kilt shirts such as these.

[PS: What on earth are "French Cuffs"?]

[MacMullen]

[PS: What on earth are "French Cuffs"?]

Cuffs that take cuff links.

[Hamish]

Cuffs that take cuff links.

Oh! Thanks for that, Joel. I have worn those all my working life and never heard them called that before. Many of my business shirts can be worn with the cuffs buttoned or with cuff-links, and then there are those with fold-back cuffs worn so that the links pass through four thicknesses of cuff which I actually preferred with dark business suits! I imagine the latter must be the French Cuffs.

[The Wizard of BC]

Just to clear up what seems to be a misunderstanding.

The shirt with the Stand Collar does not have buttons. It is a normal shirt collar. A button down version would be custom.

Hamish, French Cuffs are double width with four button holes but no buttons. You fold the cuff back on itself and fasten it closed with cufflinks. You know, those little things that have been laying in the dark recesses of your jewlery box that you forgot about.

[Hamish]

Just to clear up what seems to be a misunderstanding.

The shirt with the Stand Collar does not have buttons. It is a normal shirt collar. A button down version would be custom.

Thank Goodness!!

Hamish, French Cuffs are double width with four button holes but no buttons. You fold the cuff back on itself and fasten it closed with cufflinks. You know, those little things that have been laying in the dark recesses of your jewlery box that you forgot about.

Oh, I have never forgotten my cuff-links, Steve! I loved them and had/have quite a collection. What I did NOT like were the separate starched shirt collars that were attached to the shirt with studs, front and back. They were most uncomfortable but were de rigeur after WWII, even in the army ....... forgive me, I am forgetting: you are FAR too young to have experienced those!