Skirts for Winter?

[Big and Bashful]

Last night I took advantage of a gale force wind and very heavy rainfall to do a bit of research into how skirts work in adverse weather.
Firstly I went for a walk to drop something off, wearing a Midas http://www.midasclothing.com/pages/prod ... 40&s_id=43 lightish A line skirt (The ad says full circle, but the skirt is more A line, very comfortable). Walking into the wind, as soon as the skirt got wet it started to climb up my legs and needed to be constantly pulled back down into place. On the way back it worked better, I wonder if a slip would have helped, it really isn't a foul weather skirt.
Later on, weather the same, I put on my ankle length heavy khaki shirt from Style J and took it for a test drive, walking away from the wind to watch the storm hitting the bay, then back into the wind to get home. This is made out of a fabric heavier than most denim, which was useful when I slipped on mud and landed on my backside in mud, (Ouch! one hand took a fair bit of collateral damage!). The skirt might have been dirtied but was not damaged at all. Walking into or away from the wind, I preferred it to jeans because even when it was soaked through the skirt only presses against one side of the legs, instead of wet fabric chilling the whole legs down. However, once I was walking across the wind it was a different story, with the skirt really dragging against my legs, very restricting, not quite so bad if I lifted the windward side slightly. I think there are times when bifurcation is the better option. I was going to try again with a lighter long skirt, a Macabi, but as my hand was bleeding and my feet were squelching in flooded shoes, as well as the rain stopping, I decided I had seen the best of the storm and gave up for the night.
Today, out shopping in my 34" Midas cargo skirt, it is amazing how taking 6 inches of the length of a skirt changes its behaviour, it drags at my legs far less than the 40" version, however, the longer one gets used more as I am not a fan of the cold gap between sock and skirt. I am still trying to find socks that work well with my leg shape.

[crfriend]

Thanks for the "trip reports" B&B, and I'm sorry for your fall and the damage to your hand.

My main recollection of wearing a skirt in the rain was one time out sailing and the sky simply opened up and fell down. The only conceivable way I could have gotten any wetter would have been to go over the side. I toughed it out for the rest of the trip, but once back in port (and after it'd stopped raining) I changed into the spare pair of trousers I carry in my sailing-bag.

Wouldn't you know, it started raining the minute I started walking from the quay to the local transit system. The trousers were much more miserable.

Slips can help, but only if they're of a non-frictional fabric. Your Macabi would likely have been at home in that weather, albeit with a propensity to blow upwards. (Which isn't necessarily bad, mind, if the breeze is a warm one. and you're in private.)

[Big and Bashful]

Once I get it back from the boat and the next wet gale hits, I will give it a try, the main problem I have found with the Macabi is that it is rather thin so that the rain really feels cold, as well as the tendency for the skirt to fly as you say. Still, it's fun trying these things out within 15 minutes of the house, rather than getting caught out in the wilds when there is no contingency plan!

[crfriend]

Still, it's fun trying these things out within 15 minutes of the house, rather than getting caught out in the wilds when there is no contingency plan!

I see you have a bit of the scientist in you -- we'll prove this by experiment!

Good on ya!

In my case, when one is asea one merely has to deal with what one is dealt, and on that day, it fairly well poured. However, I dwell (and sail) at a lower latitude than you, and this was during high summer so the rain wasn't terribly chilling.

[Big and Bashful]

Still, it's fun trying these things out within 15 minutes of the house, rather than getting caught out in the wilds when there is no contingency plan!

I see you have a bit of the scientist in you -- we'll prove this by experiment!

Good on ya!

In my case, when one is asea one merely has to deal with what one is dealt, and on that day, it fairly well poured. However, I dwell (and sail) at a lower latitude than you, and this was during high summer so the rain wasn't terribly chilling.

It's more like, I am sick of watching telly, a bit of research is an excuse to go and brave the elements and see how a skirt works in whatever conditions are happening. Now I know why I see women lifting a skirt slightly at the side when it's windy, it seems to reduce the drag factor when walking, made a big difference with the khaki skirt which almost felt like a hobble without that slight lift! I love watching storms, I often take a drive out and sit in the car while watching the waves breaking on the shore, putting a skirt on and walking in the storm gets you much closer to nature, closer than trousering would as the billowing and flapping of the skirt really helps you feel the storm, most invigorating. As I don't have to go very far it is easy to get home and dry out before getting too chilled. I am at the stage that I am quite happy wandering around the village skirted, at night I am more willing to step outside the denim trap and use different skirts now, however during the day I still prefer the mental crutch of the " invisible denim" and the "skirt made for men", i.e. Midas skirts, or my kilts. By the way, for the Hogmanay breakfast which I cook up on New Years Day every year, I have never before been unbifurcated, this year I think I will wear the kilt, it doesn't often see the daylight, I have often worn skirts to the house concerned but for that occasion I am going to stay well within the realms of Scottish normality, I just hope I can keep the kilt clean while feeding 40 odd villagers! I think I have mixed my tenses a bit, I blame the wine!

[skirtedbrit]

try 'Bergans of Norway website, they have 2 weatherproof skirts for men! No prices so probably expensive. See my post in 'Skirts and kilts' section.

I would value feedback on these. Taa, Dave skirted brit

[Big and Bashful]

I like the idea of those, seen something similar but on-line, these have a Glasgow dealer and the largest size would fit me. must look into them, I fancy the black one as I am tall and prefer my skirts to be knee length or longer.

[JRMILLER]

I have purchased 2 of these long fleece skirts over the past 2 years, wore one out, hence, am ordering 2 more this week. They are very comfortable and quite warm. I wore one last night to our wine bar. The skirt was full length and black, wore a red sweater with it... Some of the folks in the wine bar asked me about my "kilt" (they have seen me before in a real kilt)...

In any case -- the fleece is warm and price is right -- and the owner is very accommodating, he makes all of these skirts to your dimensions!

-john

http://www.themouseworks.com/fleece-skirts.htm

[crfriend]

http://www.themouseworks.com/fleece-skirts.htm

I just sent them a note a few minutes ago seeing if they can do a custom build for me to conform to my tall geometry. I'm looking forward to a response.

I'd had Mouseworks on my RADAR for some time but other things got in the way and which are now cleared. Their entire business model is encouraging. These are folks I'd like to support.

I'm looking at an ankle-length velvet skirt with a large circumference and a fleece "underskirt" that could be worn on its own if need be. That'd be a "win" on both counts.

Thanks for the reminder!

[janrok]

The mouseworks looks like quite an interesting enterprise. I own a couple of fleece sweatshirts and like the softness so a fleece skirt would be very welcome.
This guy Ryan has good taste: He wears the same color Crocs as I do and that's a good start!
I sent him a mail some minutes ago to ask if he offers a pocket option and if he ships to The Netherlands. I am looking forward to his response.
Jan.

[janrok]

Well, that was a quick response. Shipping is no problem but pockets are a no-go.
A pity. Jan.

[mikel]

I also have a Mouseworks fleece skirt and I love it. They were very accommodating in tailoring 1 inch from the front hem to give a better look as the skirt falls below my "bulge"
Mike

[crfriend]

Well I did it -- I ordered two skirts from The MouseWorks (which is uncomfortably close to my ex-employer, "The MathWorks"). Both are going to be fairly custom jobs, but an e-mail discussion with Ryan, the proprietor, indicated that he is willing to do the build for the standard price. One is going to be a near ankle-length burgundy velvet skirt and the other a somewhat shorter crème-coloured fleece.

I also had a nice voice conversation with him this morning after I paid the invoice.

With a little bit of luck, I'll have a happy surprise in the mailbox sometime mid-week next. A new job, and new skirts -- life's pretty good right now.

[partlyscot]

Sounds good, I will probably get something from him as well, I need a warm long skirt if I'm going to be doing any outdoor skirting around here for the next few months....

[wsherman]

Hi Fellow "Muggers" LOL!

Well this certainly caught my attention as it is currently minus 8 F and our overnight low was 29F below, and that is without any wind! They are forecasting possible blizzard conditions and down to minus 60 wind chill factors through Tuesday next week. I'd just stay in but my guide dog Brinkley and our new dog "Henery the Pug Rug" need an excursion once in awhile. Sometimes I heartly wish I was back in Arizona! LOL!

My solution is to roll up the kilt hose to cover the knees, or to wear a Macabi under a caftan with a long slip and a heavy parka the pups have coats which they don't go out in this without. It gets to be a process that rivals a space walk at times!
I forgot to mention that I add a long fleece robe to this now and again.

I think I'll look into the the polar fleece skirts!

Be Well
Bill & Sir Brinkley the Exubrant who hates winter as much as his master!