Kilts in Winter

[Robinhood]

Wind is not usually an issue with a kilt. It pushes the
fabric up against the legs, to keep the warmth in. If
you are walking, the motion allows a little air in, but
the exercise adds to the warmth. The only issue is if
there is any exposed skin.

Last year I made a kilt specifically for winter wear that
is a little longer than normal, reaching to the bottom of
the knee. I used 8 yards of non-worsted (thick) 16 oz
wool. The slight extra length allows it to cover the
little bit of skin above the top of my 100% wool knee-
high socks. With a regular winter coat, it doesn't
look too long.

This kilt is so warm that I went out regularly last
winter for extended walks while the temperature
was at or below 0 degrees fahrenheit, and I never
got cold.

Prior to last year, I would wear a wool kilt over a cotton
canvas kilt. It would have been better with the wool
against my skin, but due to the kilt sizes, that wouldn't
work. This combination was also very warm, but
too heavy. It also didn't address the knee issue.

[Skweres]

In wisconsin last year there may have not been a whole lot of snow but we did have an extremely cold winter compared to the last 5 years and my 9 yard 16 oz kept my jibbs nice and toasty

[auld argonian]

How did the Corries' Scotland the Brave parody put it?

"Land o' the Kilt and Sporran Underneath there's nothing worn! How I wish the wind was warm! Scotland The Brave

I must admit it's pretty gruesome walking around with a frozen twosome! It's all we've got we mus'nt lose them! Scotland The Brave "

Best

AA

[Edward Teach]

Having lived in northern BC, and as well having commercial fished in manky weather, I've learned to always start with my feet...if my feet are warm, dry, and comfortable, that's a good start. If feet, head, and hands are comfortable, that's over 50% of the battle right there.

It's noteworthy that the Inuit in the high arctic traditionally wore high boots and a parka that was open at the bottom, and it was rather like being in a bell. They knew the importance of ventilation, and for them sweating often spelled death.

[Nerts]

I was jsut thinking about starting a thread very similar to this and now, thankfully, I don't have to!

Thanks to everyone for all the awesome info! I'm from Vancouver so it doesn't get that cold here but it's nice to know that I can be kilted and stay warm through the winter.

Thanks again!

E.

[Archangel]

Seeing as nobody's mentioned ears, I will. It's important to keep them warm because that's where the body's thermostat is located. Once the ears get cold they shut down the blood flow to extremities to preserve the core temperature. After that, you're toast, or, actually, the opposite.

BTW: the chorus is actually Scotland Depraved.

[cavscout]

I seem to recall an article somewhere that proposed that the old highlanders would wear their kilts at varying lengths based on the weather (winter - long kilt, summer - short kilt) I have no way of knowing if it is accurate or true, but the logic makes sense. Because we aren't wearing the belted plaid as much, this is less possible today, but even lowering the kilt an inch or two would greatly reduce the exposure at the knee and retain more body heat.

[Edward Teach]

...or you could always put on a pair of pantyhose!

[Archangel]

...or you could always put on a pair of pantyhose!

Happy talk like a pirate day to you, too.

[emolas]

...or you could always put on a pair of pantyhose!

Pantyhose/nylons actually help a lot and I wear them occasionally in winter.
This being my first winter kilted as well, I have been doing a little experimenting... Granted it's only getting down into the 40's right now but no sense waiting until the last minute to figure out what works and here is what I've come up with: As strange as it seems, the extra 2-3 inches in moving your kilt from the top of the knee to the bottom of the knee provides a really noticeable difference in warmth. Couple that with extra-thick wool socks and everything should be toasty. The only problems I have seen are the occasional updrafts that remove your little bell of warm air and make your privates public. All things considered, I don't think there will be much of an issue with wearing a kilt in the winter but I still plan on wearing pants to slog through the waist-deep snow, go sledding, etc.