How do Scots handle a rough day/night with only one kilt?

[YoungMan]

I was out celebrating Mexican military victories last night with some friends, and on the walk home we saw some guys playing ultimate frisbee in the park. Having imbibed satisfactorily and knowing how to throw a frisbee, joining in seemed like a great idea. The end result I got really dirty (had a LOT of fun though) and had to basically give up those clothes for future use outside of yard work. My question is for the Scots and other kilties out there who only make use of one kilt, how do you handle a situation like that, or just the everyday spills, splatters, bar smoke, etc? I would love to wear a kilt around 24/7 but knowing what a fine family tartan would set me back, I think I'd be very wary of my activities in it.

[Jaggy thistle]

buy a cheap kilt forthe rough stuff!!

[Bugbear]

I doubt most kilt wearing Scots wear the kilt in those situations, nor that often. I have heard of low cost acrylic kilts being worn at sport games, though...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Wool is remarkably resilient, as proven by the more than 100 year old carpets in my home. Last June, while attending a dinner at the Greenvile Highland Games, the lady next to me managed to dump most of her dinner down the side of my kilt ("Oh dear.. well accidents happen" then back to eating--the cow). I scraped off most of it (and returned it to her plate) then went to the gent's and got the rest off with cold water and paper towels. I did have the kilt cleaned when I got home, but it was in good enough shape to make it through the evening after Miss Piggy dumped food on it. My point is this: if you tend to the odd drip or spill WHEN IT HAPPENS things usually work out okay. For mud and such I usually let it dry and brush it off the next day. Never try to get mud off when it's wet-- you will only grind it deeper into the fabric. Finally, wool is pretty forgiving of cool water and very mild soap if you need to "spot clean" something.

[SteveB]

I will second MoR on cleaning up the wool kilt. The TANK is just that, if not for the horizontal spread a few years ago, I would still be wearing the kilt handed down to me from my grandfather. The kilt does not resemble exactly the kilt of today as it was worn first at a wedding in 1838. I have a painting of the bride and groom in full kit. This garment stood me well for my sister's and various cousins weddings, as well as my own. My nephew is now wearing it. Keep the spot cleaning up and it will do very well. I had mud splashed up on it by a passing motorcar. Let it dry. Brushed it off, vacuumed the kilt. Good as new.

For scheduled rough activities I have a polyviscose kilt. Basically wash and wear. This is what I wear while playing with the toothpick in the Highland Games.

Slainte

[Jock Scot]

Wool is remarkably resilient, as proven by the more than 100 year old carpets in my home. Last June, while attending a dinner at the Greenvile Highland Games, the lady next to me managed to dump most of her dinner down the side of my kilt ("Oh dear.. well accidents happen" then back to eating--the cow). I scraped off most of it (and returned it to her plate) then went to the gent's and got the rest off with cold water and paper towels. I did have the kilt cleaned when I got home, but it was in good enough shape to make it through the evening after Miss Piggy dumped food on it. My point is this: if you tend to the odd drip or spill WHEN IT HAPPENS things usually work out okay. For mud and such I usually let it dry and brush it off the next day. Never try to get mud off when it's wet-- you will only grind it deeper into the fabric. Finally, wool is pretty forgiving of cool water and very mild soap if you need to "spot clean" something.

Listen to this man!Sage advice.

I wear the kilt, a tank, and it is my only one that fits me, out shooting on the hill, fishing when there are no midgies about and I don't give much thought of what is happening to the kilt. The only thing I watch out for is barbed wire fences and the odd spot of blood. Cold water and patience is the answer with very mild soap if things get tricky.

[Bugbear]

Oh, so you all do go hunting in your kilts, Jock? Somehow, I got the wrong impression, and thought that was rarely done.

[YoungMan]

Listen to this man!Sage advice.

I wear the kilt, a tank, and it is my only one that fits me, out shooting on the hill, fishing when there are no midgies about and I don't give much thought of what is happening to the kilt. The only thing I watch out for is barbed wire fences and the odd spot of blood. Cold water and patience is the answer with very mild soap if things get tricky.

As far as smell, think bar smoke, do you just make use of good breezy air-drying and some febreeze?

I'm really looking into day to day kilt maintenance with the goal of having one kilt to rule them all. It just makes a little more sense to me than having to maintain 4 or 5.

[Jimmy]

I have one kilt that cost quite a few hundred pounds sterling, I have had it for many years. I only wear this kilt on formal occasions. For less formal occasions and partying, I have several other cheaper kilts that I wear.

The kilt outfit that I have for formal wear is certainly the most expensive clothing in my wardrobe and like any expensive clothing its only worn on certain occasions. I like to wear thee kilt a lot about town and I find the cheaper kilts very useful for times like these.

[Jock Scot]

Oh, so you all do go hunting in your kilts, Jock? Somehow, I got the wrong impression, and thought that was rarely done.

Ted for us, Hunting is done with a pack of hounds and usually,not always , mounted on a horse. Shooting(your hunting) we don't normally wear the kilt, but early in the grouse shooting season in August,the weather can be quite warm, so the kilt is sometimes worn to advantage.You are quite correct though, it is not the norm.