Graham, I've worn my kilt outdoors a few times in some pretty cold weather, i.e., -15C, mainly as an experiment. Most times havebeen in a medium weight kilt and once in my new heavy weight kilt.

With the medium weight I was quite comfortable in hiking boots, regular wool kilt hose, kilt (with cotton underwear), sweater and medium weight fleece pull-over.

In the heavy weight I wore shoes, regular kilt hose, cotton underwear, undershirt, cotton sweater and down filled vest. The vest was warm but didn't look good with the kilt.

I think that the key to staying warm in a kilt is keeping your ankles and upper body well insulated. I found that the ankle height hiking boots kept me feeling musch warmer than shoes (in my opinion they also look better).

A solid coloured fleece pull-over looks really good with a kilt, especially if it has a drawstring around the bottom which will allow you to seal in the heat while giving a nice clean look. They come in numerous weights and colours, and some are also wind-proof.

Next time I venture outdoors in my kilt in cool/cold weather this is what I will wear:

- hiking boots;
- heavy wool kilt hose;
- heavy weight kilt;
- cotton boxer brief underwear;
- cotton long sleeve t-shirt or sweater (on really cold days add a layer consisting of long sleeve thermal undershirt);
- windproof fleece pullover (weight depending on how cold it is); and
- if it's really cold, a toque will really keep you warm (but looks a little silly with a kilt).