It's Hot Out There! (Couple of Kilt Observations)

[Bugbear]

It's been up around 118+ degrees F over here in the low Arizona desert; I think that's around 48 degrees C. Thankfully, it has not been very humid for the last several days. During this I have been able to test a few things with my kilts.

First, I can report that removing all of the excess, internal fabric from the pleats above the fell area (sometimes called "pillow butt") on my eight yard, wool kilt in the conversion from casual to traditional made a huge, huge difference. There was a lot of materiel stacked up around the waist/hip area, and it did trap a lot of heat especially in the belt area. I now have first hand experience of "before and after" with that excess fabric and understand some of the reasons why it is removed on a traditional, eight yard kilt.
It's a big big plus for the traditional and non-casual kilts without all that excess materiel in the heat, but also any kilt without all the layers up above the fell area. BTW, Lewis hose aren't bad, it's the shoes that get very hot, but that is a different issue.
* MAJOR DISCLAIMER: I'm not suggesting that anyone should do that to a "pillow butt" kilt unless at least first doing a whole bunch of study on how a traditional kilt is constructed and lots of sewing practice; However, it might be something to keep in mind when trying to decide which kind of kilt to buy in relation to hot weather. Otherwise, you might as well just buy Barb's book and make your own traditional kilt. *

Switching Types of Kilt:

With my cotton kilt, I am usually wearing it in place of a pair of shorts. I can say it is more comfortable to walk around in than shorts like the denim shorts. The air flow is noticeably better. The heavy canvas waistband does add a bit of thickness, and I wear my shirt on the inside of the kilt. I didn't notice a huge issue with heat trapping in that area, but a little of that seems to go on.

I also notice something interesting while standing out in the sun. The heat from the direct sunlight does transfer to a noticeable degree through the fabric of the shorts, which is directly against my skin in several places. The fabric on the kilt isn't always touching my skin down at my legs, and the multiple layers of fabric don't seem to transfer the heat from the direct sunlight. I do my best to stay out of the direct sunlight, but it is an interesting effect of the loose layers of fabric. I think this type of kilt does a pretty good job of replacing shorts, and it's also nice for walking around the yard and so on in the evening when it's cooled down a little.

[McMurdo]

Interesting observations Ted. Yesterday at the zoo I was questioned about the heat from man in shorts, I explained that a breeze is a wonderful thing and that in my experience it was cooler to wear a kilt than shorts, he seemed to understand.

[Jock Scot]

118+ degrees! Good lord Ted, I would die!

[Chas]

118+ degrees! Good lord Ted, I would die!

I'm getting too hot just reading about it! Sometimes there is something to be said for good old rainy Britain.

Regards

Chas

[Bugbear]

You can literally fry an egg on the concrete sidewalks during the summer... It works better with a cast iron skillet that's been sitting in the sun for a while, though.

This isn't the hottest desert in the Americas or in the world, however; I think it gets up in the 140s over in the Middle East.

Most traditional desart garb is made from loose multi layers that are open for air flow while providing tent like shade for the wearer. A kilt does that better than shorts.

I need to get a giant sombrero.

[ChubRock]

In Minnesota it is the high (tropical at times) humidity along with the heats that brings the discomfort. I too wear a modern kilt in place of shorts. The issue is that my UK Workman weighs almost twenty times the amount of a light-weight cargo short. So tradeoff is great, more breezes and an extra seven pounds around my waist for a better leg workout. My UK Original is much lighter, but slightly less manly.

[GMan]

Several years ago I had someone tell me it was too hot for a Kilt, he would also say it would be too cold for a Kilt.

Good observations.

[Nighthawk]

118+ degrees! Good lord Ted, I would die!

This, my friend, is why I like my Amerikilt. It gets pretty warm in Denver, too, and nothing is as comfortable as a kilt in the heat. Like Ted said, heat doesn't transfer nearly as quickly from a kilt hanging at your side as it does from material right against your skin. Even a wool kilt is better. I wore my Albannach tartan 13 oz wool kilt to the Colorado Renaissance Festival yesterday. With not a cloud in sight, the heat soared into the 90's- which I know is a far cry from 118, but still quite warm. The kilt was so much better. I was sitting in the grass, watching the first joust of the day, and after it was over, I stood up and the material brushed against my legs. It was hot. But I was still comfortable. I gave it a little thought and figured that it was just because the kilt provided natural shade. Reading Teds post, I realize that he's absolutely right! Ted, you're brilliant.

I need to get a giant sombrero.

I was thinking something similar- I want a nice fedora.

[Bugbear]

Sometimes in the desert, you have to bring your own shade.
It does make for unusual clothing styles.

[macwilkin]

118+ degrees! Good lord Ted, I would die!

I was in Phoenix in June 26, 1990 when it reached 122 degrees.

T.