Traditional Rain Clothing

[Bugbear]

Yesterday, our monsoon rains began, two months late, complete with hail, eighty mile an hour winds, and rivers of sideways rain. I had to do some work out in it, and was soaked within seconds of stepping out the door; luckily it is not cold here.

So, what are the traditional items of rain clothing worn with the kilt in the Highlands? I've seen discussion of the rain capes, how about overshoes etc?

[JerseyLawyer]

Wellies? ;)

How traditional are we talking? Basically, the same sort of wet weather clothes you'd wear with trousers. A rain cape is nice, but impractical if you're actually doing anything physical, and won't protect against the cold unless you're going to invest in a "real" tweed inverness cape (and they're dear.).

My experience is fairly limited to a few parades that took place during monsoons, and the occasional highland games that was made more authentic by the Scottish weather. In each case, I found that as long as I had good boots, and something to keep the top half of me dry (usually a jacket and my trusty tilley hat), then the kilt wasn't such a problem.

I have seen people wear rubber overshoes with their ghillie brogues, though, if you insist on wearing ghillie brogues (or they're part of your band uniform, as in the cases I saw it.)

[macwilkin]

A Barbour wax jacket!

The Border or Northumbria would the best in length wise, by the Beaufort works nicely as well.

T.

[azwildcat96]

I don't know about your question regarding traditional highland foul weather attire, but it sounds like you might be in and around Arizona. We had a heck of a rain storm last night and the night before! Great lightning show too!

[JerseyLawyer]

A Barbour wax jacket!

The Border or Northumbria would the best in length wise, by the Beaufort works nicely as well.

T.

That same thought occurred to me, as well. Of course, one might be tempted to pair that with a flat cap!

[Jock Scot]

That same thought occurred to me, as well. Of course, one might be tempted to pair that with a flat cap!

Try a "fore 'n aft" or "deer stalker" as a better option for hats. Oh and an umbrella is always handy.

[Bugbear]

I don't know about your question regarding traditional highland foul weather attire, but it sounds like you might be in and around Arizona. We had a heck of a rain storm last night and the night before! Great lightning show too!

Yes, I am in the Phoenix area.

[Mark E.]

Well, waxed cloaks were in vogue early on-think Barbour, but applied to a period garmet. Hooded, too, of course. As for the hail-Get yourself a targe. Mind leaving the spiky out for lighting, aye?

Mark

[JerseyLawyer]

Try a "fore 'n aft" or "deer stalker" as a better option for hats. Oh and an umbrella is always handy.

Sorry, Jock, usually we're of the same mind on these things, but... I'll stick with my Tilley, thanks.

And yes, a brolly is a wise decision. When I lived in London, I always carried one in my briefcase. Got out of the habit when I went back home, unfortunately. But we tend to have more predictable weather patterns.

[Bugbear]

Thanks to all for posting.

The wind has destroyed several of my umbrellas over the years, either turning them inside out, or bending them out of shape. Once, back when I was in college, a burst of wind/rain ripped the materiel off my umbrella and I was left holding a bunch of wires. I've also lost several hats to the wind, so I take my hat off and put the umbrella away when the wind gets going out here.