You don't HAVE to wear your kilt...

[Alan H]

...every single freaking MINUTE, for every single activity.

There's a thread in this forum that I put up, somewhat tongue in cheek, about where NOT to wear a kilt. I put it up to kind of illustrate a point, which is that kilts are great, but they're not the optimal thing to wear in ***every single possible situation***.

I suspect that some of our newer, highly enthusiastic members are so gung-ho about kilts that y'all lose sight of the fact that they're CLOTHING and sometimes there are other articles of clothing besides kilts which do a better job of keeping you warm, un-sunburned, decent, protected or whatever. For me, personally, sailing is the perfect example. I COULD wear a kilt sailing. In fact I HAVE worn a kilt sailing, with Piper George who was also in a kilt, on a very calm day. It was fun, we got a lot of laughs from folks who were also in the race and HAHAHAHA! what a riot.

Great.

But if it's blowing 30 knots, there's a 12 foot sea running, I'm solo and tied in with a harness on a jackline, I've got a mess on the foredeck and I'm crawling up there to do a headsail change, I GUARANTEE you that a kilt is not the optimal piece of clothing to wear.

Get real, gentlemen... Sure you can wear a kilt while you're scuba diving, but is it really the best thing to have on your body? You can wear a kilt while playing polo, but is it really better than riding pants? Sure you can wear a kilt to the gym to work out in, but is it really better than gym shorts?

These things are kilts, guys. Not religion.....or to paraphrase the author of "Backyard Boatbuilding", a favorite book of mine...

"It's a KILT, not a SHRINE."

[Panache]

... if it's blowing 30 knots, there's a 12 foot sea running, I'm solo and tied in with a harness on a jackline, I've got a mess on the foredeck and I'm crawling up there to do a headsail change, I GUARANTEE you that a kilt is not the optimal piece of clothing to wear.

Alan,

I should hope not!

You would scare the fish!


Says Panache who was out digging in the yard in very sensible blue jeans


Cheers

Jamie

[Jock Scot]

Phew, thank goodness some one has said it from your side of the pond!!! Well said Alan.

[McFarkus]

.if it's blowing 30 knots, there's a 12 foot sea running, I'm solo and tied in with a harness on a jackline, I've got a mess on the foredeck and I'm crawling up there to do a headsail change, I GUARANTEE you that a kilt is not the optimal piece of clothing to wear.

One need's a specialized kilt for this situation. With a UK Survival kilt's "modesty system" in place, one can spare the fishes their blushes.

[ccga3359]

I agree with you Alan even though when I finally go on a 5 day kayaking trip down the Grand River in Southern Ontario I'll do so in a kilt. Just to say that I did I suppose. Sitting for 8 hours on pleats in a kayak seat might not be the most comfortable, who knows? Probably won't be paddling fast enough to pull my knees out from underneath the coaming to make an improptu canvas* dorade vent. It would protect my inner thighs from sunburn though. the squirrels, beavers and any passersby will definately be averting their gaze when I climb in or out lest they risk wanting to gouge their eyes out. Kilt, the best possible sort of clothing? Definately not.




*Or hemp if I can get sponsorship. I'm looking at you Mr. Robert Pel of RKilts, Stratford Ontario. Maker of hemp Mach 5 kilts.

[GreenDragon]

I wore my black watch out on last Saturday in 90 degree weather. MISTAKE!!

[jrmiller]

Honestly, I don't see how you could propose such an idea! Once the love of kilts have been discovered, you must look for every opportunity to wear it. Eventually, your life is altered to the point where you are simply not interested in doing something unless a kilt is suitable attire. Come-on, you know it's true! ;)

[Alan H]

I just kind of got lit by the thread about whether salt water was bad for kilts. fione, fine...a few dribs and drabs, whatever. It's a valid question. Heck, maybe you're going for a walk on the beachfront boardwalk and there might be some salt spray. OK, OK. Or maybe you're changing the water in your saltwater aquarium tank. Jah, sure you betcha. Good question.

But I mean, come on.... if you're going somewhere where you're likely to get a whole lot of salt water on your kilt, what are you doing, wearing a kilt AT ALL?

[BEEDEE]

... if it's blowing 30 knots, there's a 12 foot sea running, I'm solo and tied in with a harness on a jackline, I've got a mess on the foredeck and I'm crawling up there to do a headsail change, I GUARANTEE you that a kilt is not the optimal piece of clothing to wear.

In fact - I would be in full foul weather gear, sea boots,etc. Just got back from 5 days cruising and did not take a kilt even though I could have worn one ashore a couple of nights.

Great post, Alan.

Brian

[skauwt]

a "hear hear" to Alan h