h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OH DEAR THE AIR IS FULL OF WIND ..

On the subject of shorts, I practically live in them all summer. However, I mainly wear three quatre(sp?) lenght trousers as shorts at work. Even off work I don't really wear short shorts, as in running shorts, anymore, not for years really, they are kind of long shorts really, knee lenght. I think I wear shorts as just enough cooler to be bearable in very hot weather, particulary pure cotton thinish material in white. It is a myth that people who live in desserts(sp?) wear black as cooler, they did a test on TV a week ago with a heat detecting camera and white reflects more sunshine that black which absorbs it, I know only wear white cotton shorts and shirts in this 30c+ heat at moment, believe me it is a lot cooler, the shirts do need to be a bit larger than normal, and not tucked it to get rid of most heat though. And to be honest, ladies wear three quatre trousers a lot of time these days, so why can't men wear them at work too....not sure about people who work in libaries and some other jobs though, although for the life of me, I can not understand why a man in a suit down by the river on his mobil phone in the 30c+ weather was wearing his suit jacket, for the love of Bob!
....I have taken to talking to my cat in gooey voices, she is terrified of unusual noises like dustmen just taking away Wheelie bins, and I had been shutting windows to stop noises up to now, but it is happening so often I think she will have to get used to it or I will roast to death! Her ears go erect and she has that wide eyed terrified look, it is a good job she is an indoor cat as outdoor life would be a terror for her!

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It's more to do with the cut and fabric than the colour... a loose-fitting robe of black linen will actually be much cooler than a white t-shirt and shorts made from a poly/cotton blend.

Yep, the cut is important, however, they dressed a woman in long sleeved shirt/long trousers in black and another in same clothes, but all in white, and the white clothing was cooler, it is the cut, but also the colour, as white reflected more heat/sun.

I thought black was cooler only when you are out of direct sunlight, and white is cooler if you are in direct sunlight? Did they test both?

On the subject of kilts, the full regalia has to be worn otherwise it looks ridiculous. Starting at the ground, highland pumps, tartan hose, flashes, sgian dubh with cairgorme, kilt, sporan, dress white shirt, black bow tie, waistcoat and Charlie jacket. Oh and the kilt should be worn just above the knee. Again too long looks ridiculous.

Can't remember if they tested shade as well, but the woman had all cotton clothing in black and white. They did say all covering clothing was cooler in direct sunshine. Certainly poly/cotton mixes are a no no as have the poly still....I have taken to only wearing white cotton or linen mixes, although linen is a bugger to iron! Certainly looser clothing is cooler than tight shirts, perticularly. Good thing about white coton shirts is you can bleach/boil the suntan lotion stains out.

I prefer the hunting tartans and hunting kit, with brogues, green socks and tweed jackets with horn buttons.

I'm also rather partial to the kilt-and-army-jumper look.

And leather kilts.

And.....

*sips a cooling drink*

I'll get me coat.

I've never worn a kilt, and I can't imagine that I will unless I do Brigadoon at some point. Not an aesthetic choice entirely, it's just that they're so expensive, and I'd have to have one in the Morrison tartan, which I have a family link to, if you go back three generations anyway... None of this camo-kilt malarky for me.

Good man.

Camo kilts and their ilk are simply vulgar and unsightly.

... and iconoclastic, anarchic, subversive and rather fun.

I'd forgotten we've got a Great Kilt Schism here in the Atelier.

The bloke with the shorts went past just now. Perfectly normal business shirt, possibly a tie, and knee length blue serge shorts.

Mmmmmmmmmm.

It's no' right I tell ye. Ma dilithium crystals jes' canna take it.

Shorts and a tie is definitely wrong.

I have worked out that the only shorts-wearers in the Library of Doom are people who work entirely behind the scenes, and in very hot offices to boot.

Plus students and academics, of course. I imagine we have a fairly high percentage of year-round shorts-wearers due to our large Sport Science department.

Sport Science... there's an 'academic' subject which never fails to make me chuckle.

Mrs WA will hear you and make you do two laps of the games field.

*hides from Mrs WA*

Oh my goodness, where are my manners.

Welcome, t1926m. This is a very busy conversation as you can see. In fact there are often several conversations going on at once here which makes it tricky to keep track at times.

Were you really born in 1926 ? That makes you as old as my Ma.

Gosh.

And here's me ing over men in kilts. What will the neighbours think?

Ben

Yes indeed, hello t1926m, welcome to the Atelier.

It may interest people to know that the actual department in question is the 'Department of Sport Science, Tourism and Leisure'. Incidentally, one of our most highly praised (if not THE most highly praised departments when the inspectors come around.

Mmmm. Young ladies playing beach volleyball do tend to have that effect on middle aged men.

Yes, how very remiss,

Welcome to the Atelier t1926m, all life is here in various guises, but all very friendly.

Mrs WA can get very touchy when it comes to the academic merits of PE. She's currently charging her batteries as the Summer hols have begun. Please no comments about all those holidays.

Six whole weeks

I own a kilt, but it's not my proper Lamont tartan. It's close, however. I don't often wear it as I don't often have much cause to wear it. I want to get a proper Lamont kilt, but I also want to lose about 150 lbs first. I'd like to look good in it. And even with the socks, my calves will have exposed tattoos. Hmm, I wonder how that will look when all is said and done...

I wear shorts from about late Feb through Nov around here. Sometimes even during the winter, you will find me with bare calves. I'm afraid that they are hardly worthy, however.

I just heard the sound of coffee being ground. In ten minutes we will have some good brew. I think that I need it today.