Winter kilts

[terryk]

Hello,
Here are a some pictures of my two DIY winter kilts.
These are taken in my back garden- I haven't got out and about much in them yet.
The Harris is 15oz, the Melton is 18oz...both very warm and comfortable!
Terry

[tpa]

Well done Terry, you've obviously been busy. We'll have to try to give them an outing soon.

[Dughlas mor]

Nice work. They look both warm and comfortable.

[Catharps]

You look warm and toasty!

[Micric]

You just need to yard them up a bit Terry. Even if cold out your knees want to show.

Good job though!

[Kylahullu]

You just need to yard them up a bit Terry. Even if cold out your knees want to show.

Why? (Yes, the tradition or fashion but still...)

This is a question I have been thinking a bit. If it is cold it is cold, period! No weather above the freezing point is cold. And if you are freezing it is not the fault of the weather but the clothing you wear.

In every discussion of the great kilt there has sooner or later been someone saying it is/was a versatile garment; when the weather is cold it can be worn longer and in warm weather it could be shorter. So, why not taking this idea to this "small kilt" we use today? If someone has a kilt for cold weather why not have it a bit longer?

By my "preliminary tests" two inches longer drop makes a difference in -10C (14F). That puts the hemline just below the knee cup and gives them some protection from the elements. Will continue testing.

I got this idea when I got a cheap heavy woollen "too long" kilt from ebay. I was thinking of shortening it by hemming it, but postponed the job to see if it worked better as is as a winter kilt.

[Spartan Tartan]

I really like that blue one. I'm partial to blue, perhaps. Very nice work.

[Micric]

Why? (Yes, the tradition or fashion but still...)

This is a question I have been thinking a bit. If it is cold it is cold, period! No weather above the freezing point is cold. And if you are freezing it is not the fault of the weather but the clothing you wear.

In every discussion of the great kilt there has sooner or later been someone saying it is/was a versatile garment; when the weather is cold it can be worn longer and in warm weather it could be shorter. So, why not taking this idea to this "small kilt" we use today? If someone has a kilt for cold weather why not have it a bit longer?

By my "preliminary tests" two inches longer drop makes a difference in -10C (14F). That puts the hemline just below the knee cup and gives them some protection from the elements. Will continue testing.

I got this idea when I got a cheap heavy woollen "too long" kilt from ebay. I was thinking of shortening it by hemming it, but postponed the job to see if it worked better as is as a winter kilt.

Good morning Kylahullu,
Why? may appear a pertinent question, and I May oversimplify things, but to me a long kilt Really blurs the line between a kilt and a skirt, and I for one don't want anyone to mistake me for an old spinster!
Re. Cold, I can sympathise, as where we live in Western Canada (Alberta) we can get cold, as in -20 to -40- odd (C).
I still don't wear a kilt longer though, your knees get used to it, and if it's Too cold, wear trousers. Simple as that.
I know my opinion is not everyone's opinion, but as we are all entitled to one, mine is that a long kilt looks B. awful!

If we look at the normal & modern fashion for the kilt, it will be noted that the length is to the top or at most mid knee.

If we look at it historically, a long cloak, plaid, or "matchcoat" (essentially a wool blanket) would be worn in cold weather, and the latter is very effective and can go mid calf Over a kilt and look perfectly correct.

I still feel leave the kilt as it should be, and wear appropriate apparel over it, or wear your normal trousers till it warms up! :-)

Very best wishes,
Richard.

[cessna152towser]

Looking good.
I especially like the navy blue boxpleat kilt. Very stylish and a nice length for a cold day.

[Kylahullu]

....
I May oversimplify things, but to me a long kilt Really blurs the line between a kilt and a skirt, and I for one don't want anyone to mistake me for an old spinster!
....
If we look at the normal & modern fashion for the kilt, it will be noted that the length is to the top or at most mid knee.
....

Well, there are many examples of kilts hanging just below the knee cup. Some of them can be seen in "Kilts & Tartan made easy" by Dr Nicholas J Fiddes (see page 43 for three examples).

I don't think anyone would mistake these gentlemen as old spinsters even their knee-cup is not showing:

(Image from: http://www.albanach.org/images/belted-plaid.jpg)
The text there: "... the lower edge hangs about your knees. Whether it is above, below, or on your knees is personal choice. There does not appear to have been a standard length as this woodcut of Scottish soldiers from 1641 clearly shows."

Fashion or function?
The fashion today dictates the hemline to be to the top or to the middle of knee-cup.
The two inches more might put the kilt out of fashion but does it help the functionality or is it out of the margins of tradition?

I am all the time thinking the winter time. During warm weather the function says that the kilt should not tear your bare calves when hiking, so it should not be longer than about the middle of your knee-cup or even shorter. Would these couple of inches more make the kilt a comfortable garment in a bit colder weather or not? Anyone having any experience of the difference?

For not being mistaken as an old spinster I trust a full beard and missing of breasts.
And in the end, if someone wants to hit on an old spinster the frustration of the mistake would be his/her, not mine.