white coatee as a warm weather option

[Nathan]

I guess it depends on which definition you grew up with. To me, the word does have that association. YMMV.

From the Oxford dictionary:-

1.2 (Of a man) weak or effeminate:he chatted away, exercising his rather effete charm
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/de...english/effete

That's interesting. Thanks for posting the Oxford definition which has expanded my understanding of the term. The Google definition that comes up is:

adjective: effete (of a person) affected, overrefined, and ineffectual.
"effete trendies from art college"
synonyms: affected, pretentious, precious, mannered, overrefined;
ineffectual;
informalla-di-da
"effete trendies"
antonyms: unpretentious
no longer capable of effective action.
"the authority of an effete aristocracy began to dwindle"
synonyms: weak, enfeebled, enervated, worn out, exhausted, finished, drained, spent, powerless, ineffectual
"the fabric of society is effete"

Oxford's definition combined with this one seems to point to a previous generation's unfortunate equivalency between being female or like a female and being ineffective or powerless.

[Calgacus]

That's interesting. Thanks for posting the Oxford definition which has expanded my understanding of the term. The Google definition that comes up is:

adjective: effete (of a person) affected, overrefined, and ineffectual.
"effete trendies from art college"
synonyms: affected, pretentious, precious, mannered, overrefined;
ineffectual;
informalla-di-da
"effete trendies"
antonyms: unpretentious
no longer capable of effective action.
"the authority of an effete aristocracy began to dwindle"
synonyms: weak, enfeebled, enervated, worn out, exhausted, finished, drained, spent, powerless, ineffectual
"the fabric of society is effete"

Oxford's definition combined with this one seems to point to a previous generation's unfortunate equivalency between being female or like a female and being ineffective or powerless.

Yes, I think it harks back to a less enlightened and tolerant time than now, when such attributes were seen as being the opposite of macho, and therefore the opposite of masculine.

[auld argonian]

Oh, Jeeezis….if I ever need to have my usage picked over, I know where to come.

I'd love to get back to the topic with minimal difficulties…but I totally meant "effete" in the sense of "affected, overrefined and ineffectual"….mostly the "affected, overrefined…." bit. You can put away your swords….in my experience with American English it has never had anything to do with effeminacy but rather with the attitude that your opinion is the only opinion and that anyone who disagrees is a part of the great unwashed. Two nations divided by a common language, indeed.

My point being that what is considered proper or good form in one part of the world may not always work in another part of the world due climatic conditions and that, I would hope, even those who maintain good form in that one part of the world should cut those in that other part of the world a little slack. I personally side with those who feel that there are some things that are "just not done" when wearing the kilt and I try to "keep it real" to the best of my ability because I feel that when you are wearing the kilt - even if you're not a native Highland Scot - you are representing an important culture so if you have enough respect for that culture to wear the kilt in the first place, you should do it as properly and respectfully as you can or not at all.

Bottom line for me is that if you can find a white jacket that look proper in all respects other than the color and you're in a warmer climate, you should be allowed to wear it without fear of criticism. Hoping that a socially graceful person who doesn't agree will just say either nothing or, "….not my personal taste but you seem to be carrying it off.". And I took the opportunity afforded by the discussion in this thread to point out that there is a demand for lighter weight jackets that are specifically made as kilt jackets so that at least a MOSTLY proper appearance can be maintained.

I can't help but think of my dear, old dad who was stationed in the UK during WWII. The bellman at the hotel that they were putting the US Air Corp guys in said that he would, "…come by and knock you up in the morning.", meaning that he would give them a wake up call by knocking on the doors. In the US, the expression "knock you up" meant, basically, "impregnate you". Hilarity ensued. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go put my fanny pack in the boot.

Best

AA