Diced Tam and Cap Badge?

**Joshua** · 10th July 11, 10:03 AM

Quick question for the rabble...

I'm not one for headwear with my kilt, mostly because I've not found a hat style I like that is appropriate for kilted wear.

However, the Keltoi Diced Tams have caught my eye, and I'm considering one in fawn or bottle green.

That being the case, is it traditional to wear a cap badge with this particular style of cap? I have a cap badge and wouldn't mind wearing it...

I know about the old "playing card behind the badge" trick but would I need to have a cockade?

**Jock Scot** · 10th July 11, 10:10 AM

If you want to wear a badge on your bonnet it is entirely your choice, although I happen to think that a badge sets off the bonnet nicely. No, you do not need a cockade. Just so you know, it is a "social nicety" to have the same Clan badge as your Clan tartan of your kilt -----if that is the course that you are heading down.

**Joshua** · 10th July 11, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

If you want to wear a badge on your bonnet it is entirely your choice, although I happen to think that a badge sets off the bonnet nicely. No, you do not need a cockade. Just so you know, it is a "social nicety" to have the same Clan badge as your Clan tartan of your kilt -----if that is the course that you are heading down.

That will be my course Jock, although currently I wear a "universal" tartan that is shown in my avatar, the Caledonia... I've lost a good 100lbs and am working on losing about 80 more, which is when I will actually purchase a kilt in my clan tartan.

**Ryan Ross** · 10th July 11, 10:27 AM

I'm familiar with this style of headgear, and I hear tell they're quite comfortable. I do tend to think, though, that it may not look quite right with a crest badge (even once the playing card is put into play). The outer edge of these hats is very pronounced, and the material is very thin and flexible... those two qualities often times don't lend themselves to either supporting a badge, or achieving the proper "look", once the hat is worn. That said, you certainly wouldn't need a cockade to wear a crest badge, providing you used some other method to stiffen the bonnet. Just my two cents.

**Matty Ross** · 10th July 11, 10:46 AM

What size do you wear? I bought this one and it fits too tight. I have only worn it a few times.

**tulloch** · 10th July 11, 01:09 PM

I have a couple penannular pins that I wear most of the time. Sometimes I wear my associated clan badge. I have bonnets that I knit and they are not as substantial as the one pictured but they work just fine. You can get the idea from my pictures on my profile page. Sorry not to have updated them.

**creagdhubh** · 13th July 11, 03:54 PM

Greetings,

I agree with Jock and others - diced Balmorals and your clan crest brooch do just nicely; the ensemble is very traditional with the kilt and Highland day attire. The Balmoral is my bonnet of choice when wearing Highland day attire, though sometimes I will wear a plain black or navy Glengarry with either a red or a matching (to the colour of the bonnet) toorie (or pom). Wear whichever Balmoral or Glengarry (purists like to see the Glengarry in only black or navy colours, which is derived from the military) colour you like; diced, plain, lovat blue, lovat green, navy, black, with matching toories or in red, etc, etc. Just don't wear a tartan or re-enactor's bonnet with Highland attire.

Sandy MacLean (JSFMACLJR on XMTS) and I in May 2011 at the Kentucky Scottish Weekend - I'm wearing the Lovat green and fawn diced Balmoral, Sandy wears a plain fawn version - though he has many other Balmorals in the lovat colours, both diced and undiced.

My bonnie wife and I at a ceilidh in Newtonmore, Inverness-shire. I wear a plain black Balmoral with red toorie (very commonly worn).

An assortment of Balmoral styles and colours - Macpherson men at the 2006 Clan Macpherson Gathering and Rally. Notice the white Jacobite cockade (Macphersons were Jacobites and took an active part throughout the Rising), as well as the cockade made in our Chief's (Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, TD) livery colours, which is appropriate for clansmen.

Another assortment Balmoral styles and colours worn by Macpherson men at the Clan Macpherson annual march - I'm in front holding the Bratach Uaine, or the famous "Green Banner" of the Clan Macpherson (my bonnet was rather wind-blown at this point, hence it's positioning).

Slainte mhath,

**Ryan Ross** · 13th July 11, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

...Just don't wear a tartan or re-enactor's bonnet with Highland attire...

I completely respect your oppinion on this matter, good sir, but would still like to pose a question to the traditionalists:

Would the below bonnet strike you as inappropriate for modern wear in a traditional setting? Might it stand out in any meaningful way, to your eye, or look like a "re-enactor's bonnet"? I'm really quite curious.

**Joshua** · 13th July 11, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by Matty Ross

What size do you wear? I bought this one and it fits too tight. I have only worn it a few times.

Matty, I think I bought that exact bonnet today - size 24 from Dunadd. Except mine is in royal blue.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 13th July 11, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

I completely respect your oppinion on this matter, good sir, but would still like to pose a question to the traditionalists:

(1) Would the below bonnet strike you as inappropriate for modern wear in a traditional setting?

No. It's perfectly acceptable.

(2) Might it stand out in any meaningful way, to your eye, or look like a "re-enactor's bonnet"?

It looks just fine, and unless you were also carrying a Brown Bess musket no one would think you were a re-enactor.

I'm really quite curious.

Nothing wrong with that.