I havejust posted this to my blog at www.oldfool.org but although I am preaching to the choir here I think it is relevant so here it is. Besides I keep getting notices that I have not posted lately. Makes me feel guilty.
Observations of a Kilted Gardener
I have been gardening in a kilt for more than a couple of months now and I have to tell you that it is mostly positive. In fact the only part that is not positive is the fear of non acceptance. Why I would worry about that I cannot say as I live in an area that is made up primarily of foul mouthed morons. That includes the children.
The contemporary kilt that I wear to garden in has convenient pockets and being made from old military uniforms it is impervious to dirt and sweat. It's not delicate and I don't mind wiping my hands on it.
My first revelation was the freedom of movement. Much freer than pants which in my case means baggy shorts and much freer than a short sarong. A sarong only gives at the overlap in front so a kilt has it hands down. That was a big revelation. I could squat, bend and spread my legs to do all the necessary things on the ground without restrictions. In gardening there is a lot of interaction with the ground. In fact the only other activity that has as much is probably gravedigger.
The first real surprise was sweat running down my leg. It gave me a real start as it felt like something crawling up my thigh in a very personal place.I got over that when a little light breeze tuned that sweat into natures own personal air conditioner. How nice. The other day I went out in light shorts that being what I used to work in. After about 15 minutes it was like wearing a wet diaper at least as I perceived it. It has been a long time since I wore a diaper.
There are a lot of places a Kilt or any other kind of skirt does not work. Namely in micro gravity(astronauts), swimming(scuba diving), pole vaulting(windage) or acrobat(distracting) but for gardening it rocks. I don't have have much experience riding a bike in one so I'll have to get back to you on that. The limited experience I have is positive and I see no problems with it after all women have been doing it since the invention of the bicycle. I don't stray far from the homestead kilted yet so I don't have much to go on.
I have to say that mostly working in a kilt is a positive and comfortable thing however when it is very hot and humid the shorts are much cooler. One layer of open weave fabric, big legs and no underwear (not that I have worn any in 40 years) works better. Kilts are hot even in the lightest material I have been able to find. Kilts are three layers of fabric in the back and two in the front at the minimum. When the there is a breeze that's fine but when it is still that kilt turns into a steam bath. I don't believe the kilt is the thing for hot humid climates any more than pants are. A plain gathered full skirt in a very light fabric would be more practical and cooler but then that would be a skirt. Heavens! Loin cloths are much more practical but would probably involve a police report.
I am looking for a very light open weave fabric that rejects dirt to try for a kilt. Otherwise I am going to have to have a fan to blow up my ally when the wind dies.
Wait there's more, but that will have to be another post.
Originally Posted by 12stones
Bookmarks