Why I wear a kilt full-time

[NewKilt]

Some of you might find this interesting – even helpful. If you find it a bore, I'm certainly not offended if you start to read it and then move on.

I wear a kilt full-time, and my collection is comprised of 20 kilts – traditional, traditional style, and non-traditional. Now I'm not saying this with the intent of bragging, or as promoting the wearing of a kilt full-time. For me it makes sense, and the short answer is comfort. The long answer to my need for comfort is the fact that my spine is a mess, and I suffer from a neurological disease called peripheral neuropathy. The latter has symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis, except that it damages the peripheral nervous system rather than the central nervous system. I had back surgery 8 months ago to remove 2 discs in my lower back. I still have 9 herniated discs left and will probably require at least 2 more surgeries. The peripheral neuropathy has affect my sensory, motor and autonomic nervous systems. Autonomic damage has destroyed the nerves to many of my sweat glands and limited my heart's ability to regulate my pulse rate. Consequently heat is a real problem for me – dangerous, even life threatening. Sensory damage does not allow me to completely sense how my feet are placed, so I must walk with a cane to prevent falling due to loss of balance.

So, in building a kilt collection, my disabilities take top priority. Having all traditional wool kilts is not in my best interest because of heat and my inability to regulate my body temperature.

Here is my collection:

5 wool tartans – 1, 13 oz 8 yarder; 4, 16 oz, 5 yarders
3 traditional style canvas – 10 oz army duck
1 Amerikilt (digital desert camo – estimate 7 to 8 oz)
3 Utilikilt Workman's – 12 oz cotton duck
1 Utilikilt Denim – 12 oz
3 Utilikilt Mockers – 8.5 oz polycotton
1 Utilikit Original – 8.5 oz polycotton
1 Utilikilt Original – 8.5 oz 100% cotton
2 Utilikilt Original – 8 wide whale corduroy – estimate 9.5 to 10 oz)

I use some general rules on what I wear out of this collection based on temperature (including heat index as well as wind chill factors). Consequently, being free to select any one of these 20 kilts is usually not an option except when temperatures are within a certain range. Kilt hose are out of the question above 80 F.

So here as a rule of thumb is the number of kilts I have available based on temperature:

up to 30 F – 5 kilts
31 to 35 F – 9 kilts
36 to 40 F – 11 kilts
41 to 45 F - 13 kilts
46 to 60 F – 14 kilts
61 to 65 F – 19 kilts
66 to 80 F – 20 kilts
81 to 85 F - 15 kilts
86 - 90 F – 9 kilts
91 – 95 F – 7 kilts
96 – 100+ F – 6 kilts


Again, these are guidelines I've established for myself based on experience. I take into account the temperature range for most of the day, whether I'll spend the majority of time inside or outside. Also occasion can be an exception. If I need to dress up, and will be spending the majority of time inside, a wool traditional with hose and flashes are in order.

I hope you found this somewhat interesting. Regardless of which kilt I may be wearing, I do wear them with pride, and always try to leave the people I meet with a favorable impression of men that wear kilts.

Darrell

[cessna152towser]

An interesting read and its great to hear of someone who wear the kilt not only for comfort but who also finds it helpful for their medical condition. Of course full time kilt wearing isn't for everyone. I own 8 kilts, 7 trousers and 14 shorts, though like you I dress according to the weather and the day's proposed activities. The shorts are stored away from the end of October, usually until around mid-April, but kilts are for all year round. Yesterday I wore my new navy blue kilt to our local model railway show, of which this is my final year as chairman. Nobody passed any comments as they are all used to seeing me kilted. Knowing that the show would need to be dismantled and packed away as soon as the public had gone today I opted for shorts which I find more practical when lifting and packing loads and several people enquired as to why I wasn't kilted today.

[Blu (Ontario)]

... I wear a kilt full-time, and my collection is comprised of 20 kilts... Now I'm not saying this with the intent of bragging, or as promoting the wearing of a kilt full-time. For me it makes sense... etc

I think it's great that someone like yourself finds the kilt theraputic in addition to being a comfortable if not bold fashion statement. Youre story has given me pause for thought. I've never really thought of kilts as having a potential role to play in the holistic medicine.

However, the important point for all to bear in mind is that kilts can mean different things to different people. And those of us that wear a kilt a few times a month may be just as passionate about them as those folks that go the full time route.

Anyway, I certainly wish you the best of luck with you condition.

blu

[andyfg]

Anyway, I certainly wish you the best of luck with you condition.

blu

I second that. Thanks for a great analysis, by the way, of kilts and climate.

[Barclay]

Anyway, I certainly wish you the best of luck with you condition.

Another.

[Riverkilt]

Was surprised you didn't have any USA Kilts casuals yet. I put it off for a couple years too...once I started got hooked and have eight with two on the way.

They're perfect for me in hot weather. Think they'd work even better for you in hot humid weather. They're much cooler than UKs in the heat.

Not pushing the brand as much as recommending them to you for your needs.

Ron

[NewKilt]

I think it's great that someone like yourself finds the kilt theraputic in addition to being a comfortable if not bold fashion statement. Youre story has given me pause for thought. I've never really thought of kilts as having a potential role to play in the holistic medicine.

However, the important point for all to bear in mind is that kilts can mean different things to different people. And those of us that wear a kilt a few times a month may be just as passionate about them as those folks that go the full time route.

Anyway, I certainly wish you the best of luck with you condition.

blu

I found out in talking to the folks at Utilikilt and Amerikilt that they have many customers that are stuck in wheel chairs. The Utilikilts the free floating cargo pockets on the Utilikilts make all their stuff accessible as does the sporran on Amerikilts or any traditional kilt.

Good point also for folks to bear in mind that kilts mean different things to different people. My primary purpose is comfort, but I sure enjoy celebrating my heritage when I wear my Irish American tartan, and my Ireland's National tartan - Kennedys we are on my mother's side.

My son goes to Ireland for a week next month and will set foot on the ground of our ancestors. How I would love to go with him, but I can't physically hack the trip. I'm trying to convince him to take my Ireland's National with him to wear at some time while he is there.

Darrell

[andyfg]

My son goes to Ireland for a week next month and will set foot on the ground of our ancestors. How I would love to go with him, but I can't physically hack the trip. I'm trying to convince him to take my Ireland's National with him to wear at some time while he is there.

Darrell

I hope he does. It would be a nice touch (though I don't think he will find many other kilt wearers!)

[NewKilt]

Was surprised you didn't have any USA Kilts casuals yet. I put it off for a couple years too...once I started got hooked and have eight with two on the way.

They're perfect for me in hot weather. Think they'd work even better for you in hot humid weather. They're much cooler than UKs in the heat.

Not pushing the brand as much as recommending them to you for your needs.

Ron

I've been thinking about getting some USA casuals. I may sell my canvas 10 oz traditionals to raize part of the money. I know the USA casuals are 11 oz PV, but they should be cooler than my 10 oz canvas because of kilt weight. Those 10 oz canvas are close to 8 yards of material. I'm thinking Rocky's casual PVs are more like 5 yarders. Ideally, I'd like to keep those 10 oz canvas, and add about 3 of Rocky's casuals, but my wife is a lot faster on foot than I am these days.

Darrell

[Southern Breeze]

An interesting bit of reading and the breakdown of kilts to climate is interesting as well. If you stop and think about it, kilts are of benefit in a great number of disabilities. Add my well wishs to the list as well.