Why are kilts so warm compared to trews?

[Kilted Craanen]

Hello all,

We all know that the kilt is a warm, comfortable piece of clothing. When people ask me how it can be that a 'skirt' is so warm, it's obvious: it's made of 8 yards of pure wool and under that some warm kilt socks.

However, while reading abit, I read that trews are often worn in summer or warmer climates. Why exactly is it that kilts are so much warmer than trews?

Thank you

Daniël

[Navyguy]

Probably because trews only provide one layer of wool at any given local, while a kilt has at least two layers min. at the aprons.

[SteveB]

As one of the full time kilted here on XMTS:

Trews are one layer of wool, and the few I have checked out are of 13 oz wool at best. A Neighbour that wears trews or trousers has mentioned that they tend to be about equal in warmth during the winter months. He tends to wear the trews for special occasions. The rest of the time he wears wool or cotton trousers.

Kilts vary in the making. I wear during the winter mostly 16 oz or 22 oz knife pleated tartan wool kilts. The front is two thicknesses, with an insulating air gap between. Sides and rear are mostly four layers of fabric, due to the overlap of the pleats, with nice insulating air in between. I find that at -10 F. I am quite toasty. While waiting for the bus, a young lass, who was cold, asked me how I could be so warm in a kilt. I invited her to feel inside a pleat. She was astounded at how toasty her hand was on just the outer layer.

I also own poly-viscous tartan kilts, and find them warm, but not as toasty as the wool. I also have a denim kilt that is deeply pleated and is warm, but my contemporary kilts (Amerikilt, Utilikilt) tend to be a bit cooler than I would like on a cold New England winter night.

If I am going to be working outside for long periods of time, I will sometimes double layer the hose. This gives the interesting look of the top rollover in a different colour.
Slainte

[Kilted Craanen]

Thank you steve!

That was exactly the answer I was looking for. My dad was really curious about how I was so warm in a kilt (After that little fight he's actually gotten more interested and admitted he really did like my argyll outfit, although he isn't used to Highland dress).

[ccga3359]

It's the layers. For an illistration I had RKilts make me a kilt for paintball in camo fabric I asked that the pleats be made deep. Though I may only have thinknesses in front (actually 3 as Robert put a pocket on the inner apron for padding) I have five thickness in the back with airspace. That'll take the sting out when my own troops shoot me in the back.

[BEEDEE]

And if you really want more information: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/e...833/index.html

Brian

[Uncle Ricky]

Let me toss in my two cents worth if I may...

Besides the layers, and the wool fabric, there is another factor at work. Pants are usually in contact with the skin when you walk. In cold weather, you are always rubbing up against a layer of fabric that has been rapidly cooled by the air. Body heat is wicked away, and you feel cold. It's sort of like when you step out of the swimming pool on a breezy day wearing baggy trunks. Whenever the wet trunks contact your skin, they feel cold.

In contrast, a kilt has at least two layers. The inner layer is warmed by your body, and the outer layer protects the inner layer from rapid cooling. Furthermore, a kilt doesn't rub against your skin as much as trousers, so you don't feel your heat being wicked away as much.

I have found that even casual kilts such as Utilikilts, which are relatively lightweight feel warmer than pants.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Rick

[Deil the Yin]

Hello all,

We all know that the kilt is a warm, comfortable piece of clothing. When people ask me how it can be that a 'skirt' is so warm, it's obvious: it's made of 8 yards of pure wool and under that some warm kilt socks.

However, while reading abit, I read that trews are often worn in summer or warmer climates. Why exactly is it that kilts are so much warmer than trews?

Thank you

Daniël

Tis nae necessarily the temperature, wee lass. Tis the midgies! Och! Ane instance o' these wee beasties up yer kilt an' ye'll know what I'm on aboot- oh aye! If ye dinne go mad afore hand... Right buggers, an' no mistake! See also "Highland Fling"...

[SteveB]

Trews are also worn during Black Fly season in Maine, along with a screened in pith helmet, long sleeved shirt, gloves and a gallon of DEET.