Kilts and overcoats

**escherblacksmith** · 14th January 08, 09:55 AM

I don't have a picture (although I may get one this week), but I wear my "long" leather coat, goes down to the upper thighs. I will be testing my stillwater wool this week, some of the mornings are supposed to be 1-3°F region.

Should be interesting.

**andyfg** · 14th January 08, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by escherblacksmith

I don't have a picture (although I may get one this week), but I wear my "long" leather coat, goes down to the upper thighs. I will be testing my stillwater wool this week, some of the mornings are supposed to be 1-3°F region.

Should be interesting.

Send us the pic. It would be good to see. And let us know the test result!

**Hamish** · 14th January 08, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by andyfg

Ham, as I said, the warm bomber jacket has been my usual winter wear. (I posted pics last year in the snow.) The tweed overcoat is a new experiment. It does get very cold here. The other day it never got higher than 8 degrees F (-14 C). Drastic measures needed at that temp! Not many people out walking (let alone potentially "flashing"!) Usually, when we walk the dogs we rarely see anyone. Walking is not as popular here in the USA as back in the UK.

Ham, what is your opinion of the Inverness, then? I'm assuming that from the back that coat too would have the same effect. (I always appreciate your style tips.)

Well Andy, of course, we do not suffer the same low temperatures here as you do over there, thank Heavens! I guess this means that we can still stop to think about how we look before wrapping up to go outside. Whereas, in the temperatures you quote, all you are concerned about is keeping warm ...... appearance can take a back seat! Horses for courses, eh!

I do have an Inverness Cape, Andy, but it is a thin waterproofed nylon version designed to keep out the rain, not the cold. Actually, I have never seen a tweed Inverness Cape, apart from in photos, but I think the main advantage they have over regular overcoats is the rather costumey image they have which, in a way, goes with the kilt. To the casual observer, the oddly layered-looking Inverness - and this is very evident from behind as well as in front - is just another piece of Highland kit that kilt wearers put on, like the funny bonnets and oddly shaped tweed jackets. Personally, I do think that Inverness Capes, especially in tweed, do look rather quaint and I would not rush to buy one for myself. My black nylon one rolls up into almost nothing when not in use and yet it is a very practical accessory ............. even if I do feel like a nun having a bad hair day when wearing it on windy days!!

Take care,
Ham.

**andyfg** · 14th January 08, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Hamish

Actually, I have never seen a tweed Inverness Cape, apart from in photos,

Ham, I am shocked! I thought you had everything down kilt wise . . .

I will probably only wear the overcoat on very cold days. Today I went kilted to work with a nice insulated and waterproof bomber-style jacket.

Though I do miss the demise of overcoats as general wear. As with decent hats, men rarely wear them now. Perhaps, I was born out of time. Fashions come and go . . . who knows.

**Jack Daw** · 16th January 08, 04:25 PM

The coat looks good. But, I see in your pic that your overcoat is longer than your kilt. With it buttoned, I'd be concerned about getting unnecessary attention from the police. They could seriously mistake you for a flasher. Of course, the worst scenario is just the nuisance factor of getting questioned by the coppers. Good luck with them not noticing.

**Panache** · 17th January 08, 09:17 PM

I think Andy is onto something. As nice as it would be to have an actual tweed Inverness Cloak, it would be seldom used. Certainly not enough for me to justify the cost.

I took a page out of Andy's book an picked up this one at Target for $19.88 on clearance. It is 75% wool and 25% acrylic. It works with a kilt far better than my tan London Fog trenchcoat (which really screams "Flasher").

The material is warm and it is big enough that I can wear my kilt jacket underneath. In the pictures below I am wearing my Braemar jacket.

Maybe not so great from the back but I can live with it for under $20!

Thanks for the idea Andy!

Cheers

Jamie

**Chef** · 17th January 08, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

Maybe not so great from the back but I can live with it for under $20!

Men wearing kilts and overcoats should never keep their hands in the pockets. From the back, it just makes you look like your about to try and frighten old ladies and little children

**andyfg** · 18th January 08, 06:23 AM

Jamie,

That's a fine coat. What a bargain! Perhaps we will start a new trend!

**pdcorlis** · 18th January 08, 08:13 AM

Sorry to be the wet blanket here gents but to my eye there's something wrong with the proportions of a long coat over a kilt - it just looks goofy. I prefer wearing a heavily insulated shorter jacket (Eisenhower length) with a kilt.

**Chef** · 18th January 08, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by pdcorlis

Sorry to be the wet blanket here gents but to my eye there's something wrong with the proportions of a long coat over a kilt - it just looks goofy. I prefer wearing a heavily insulated shorter jacket (Eisenhower length) with a kilt.

I don't think you are wrong, with the exception of my Inverness I never wear a long overcoat with a kilt. Interestingly I get more comments on the cape than I do on a kilt, but that's a different story. I do like shorter jackets with a kilt but for bad weather, I also like a coat that covers my bum without going all the way to the bottom of the kilt. My Barbour works well for that.