How Hot? Too darned hot.

**MacLowlife** · 13th August 10, 05:30 AM

Most of my kiltwearing is confined to kilt occasions. The crowd I run with- the kilt crowd that is- tends to schedule most events in the cooler months, though in SC, cooler may be a relative term. We have about 90 - 100 days each year when the temperature can be in the 80s ( F). My question is this: If you wear a kilt regularly, but not necessarily daily, how warm do you let it get before opting for a divided garment. Or do you have some other deciding factor besides heat? Do you put up the heavy wool in favor of the PV?

**Kiltboy** · 13th August 10, 05:42 AM

Currently our city is in it's 11th day of temps over 100F. Do I still kilt? Yep. But have switched to 4 yard wool, and have shelved the 8 yarders. My "divided garments" are reserved for the workplace.

**tulloch** · 13th August 10, 05:47 AM

I have a 22oz repro Gordon Highlander by WPG. It is most felt round the waist but I use it in all weather when I don't want to risk my tank. As long as I feel the air from below I haven't felt it too hot yet. Shorts - even very light fabric - are more confining and uncomfortable.

**KFCarter** · 13th August 10, 06:03 AM

I don't put away the wool and in the past I have not had a problem with it in the summer. I do get a bit warm around the waist when I have to walk to a meeting, but not intolerably so...maybe I'm just heat-tolerant.

Having said that, I do have to admit that this summer I've worn the kilt much less frequently at work (daytime, downtown Savannah, heat index generally over 105 this season

) and saved it for evenings when the temp grudgingly edges below 90

...

**Mark E.** · 13th August 10, 06:22 AM

I've got a 20(well, 22ish) ounce great kilt, 8 yards...Midwesterner, so our weather can get roasty. Hottest weather I have worn it was 97. It's an adjustable bit, so...I adjusted-shallower pleats, and did a roll back to allow more air flow. Not something that can be done with a wee kilt, unfortunately. Also, a linen shirt that comes down far enough is handy.

Mark

**Lallans** · 13th August 10, 06:39 AM

By way of contrast, in Canada we kilted tend to schedule events for the warmer months. Wear a kilt any other time and you discover why traditional Scottish upper garments are in the order of an inch thick. But when it gets really hot and humid here in Ontario, which believe me it does, sometimes to Dixie levels, I wear one of my non-traditional cotton kilts to stay coolest. A non-wool kilt beats shorts or anything else- well except of course for inappropriate nudity. And a wool kilt isn't that bad either, come to think of it.

**Richard** · 13th August 10, 06:58 AM

"each year when the temperature can be in the 80s ( F)"

I wish we has temperatures like that, cold here in the UK today

**Mark E.** · 13th August 10, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

By way of contrast, in Canada we kilted tend to schedule events for the warmer months. Wear a kilt any other time and you discover why traditional Scottish upper garments are in the order of an inch thick. But when it gets really hot and humid here in Ontario, which believe me it does, sometimes to Dixie levels, I wear one of my non-traditional cotton kilts to stay coolest. A non-wool kilt beats shorts or anything else- well except of course for inappropriate nudity. And a wool kilt isn't that bad either, come to think of it.

Never having worn a cotton kilt, don't know here...though I have found in EXTREME heat, layering fabrics works-In the desert, if it is 120 out, you can wear layers, and your body heat, at 99ish, will make the air between your clothing layers 99...so you are hot, but not dying. I was once at a gathering, 10th-13th century in era, and wore nothing but a linen leine that hit mid-thigh, with pleats held by a belt over, no shoes/kilt/etc-it was 99, and my upper body was actually cooler than my lower...

**McNulty** · 13th August 10, 07:31 AM

When it gets too hot (very dry heat BTW) out here on the Western Slope I'll either switch to one of my 13ozers or one of my 4yarders. I also have a couple of kilts in PV and probably wear them the most when the temps hit 90F and up. Why go without and wear them shorts?
Nulty

**Riverkilt** · 13th August 10, 08:08 AM

Weather is one of the reasons I own so many kilts....different kilts for different temps and conditions.

Leather kilts are wonderful for nasty weather...warm and hold up to the rain, sleet, snow, mud...

Wool kilts are great for cold and cool weather - have two with me up here in Colorado this week even though the temps fluctuate from 40 something F to 70 something F.

PV kilts are great for hot and humid weather.

They all work great for comfie weather.

Kinda like fly fishing....gotta have all those flys for various conditions. Same with kilts.