but baby, it's cold outside....

[MacConnachie]

I wore kilts all last winter with no problem. My knees got a bit chilled a time or two but otherwise was plenty comfortable enough and I'm just a bit south of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

I figured someone would bring them up. Keeping the knees from becoming two bony icicles is my biggest challenge when wearing kilts on cold days. The best thing about being in a pipe band? The pipers won't generally play if the temperature outside is less than 40 degrees F., because it plays hob with the condensate in the pipe bags turning quickly to moisture of a consistency that makes it hard to keep the pipes tuned. However, this past St. Paddy's Day, we marched in 35 degree F. weather, and the saving grace was that the wind had quit blowing and the snow falling by step-off time, to the point that with the sun coming out, it wasn't too bad.

As to colder days (end of January, Rob't. Burns Nicht, for instance), the previous advice about wearing a warm cap, coat and gloves definitely applies. Scurrying from the warm house to the warmed-up vehicle to the warm venue is also key. Walking around outside when it's much below freezing is something you must plan for in advance. If the need arises, stopping in a sheltered doorway to rub the knees is a good idea. And if you wear ghillie brogues with the kilt? Galoshes or rubber overshoes are definitely in order, even with wool kilt hose. Otherwise, you're just courting an opportunity to make yourself miserable.

The coldest parade I've been in? It was about 17 degrees F., with a north wind blowing up the street and up you-know-where, on a very snowy and cold St. Paddy's about 4 years ago. The pipers were waiting patiently indoors at the first post-parade venue. I was the ONLY kilted character in that rather brief, and VERRRY cold parade.

If one MUST stand in one place for very long in cold weather, keeping the knees together -- with a bit of the kilt's under apron caught between them -- serves to keep the knees, thighs and other parts from experiencing a strong cooling effect, particularly if there is a breeze a-blowin'.

[Raphael]

As long as you keep your torso warm, you should be okay. your knee cap is all bone anyway, and can be kept warm if you are constantly moving

[Archangel]

As long as you keep your torso warm, you should be okay. your knee cap is all bone anyway, and can be kept warm if you are constantly moving

ixnay.
Yes, torso is always priority.
No, knee cap is critical. You'll find, quite a ways in to the story of this hero, VC and Bar, that this was a serious problem in WW1: http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/vc/chavasse.htm

[Blu (Ontario)]

... Keeping the knees from becoming two bony icicles is my biggest challenge when wearing kilts on cold days... etc. If one MUST stand in one place for very long in cold weather, keeping the knees together -- with a bit of the kilt's under apron caught between them -- serves to keep the knees, thighs and other parts from experiencing a strong cooling effect, particularly if there is a breeze a-blowin'.

Great post & excellent advice!