need some head gear advice

**ABG0819** · 2nd February 10, 12:02 PM

I have just received my first kilt and was wondering about appropriate head gear. I was reading another thread on glengerry style hats and they don't seem to be popular/stylish. I know many of you are going to say that it is my kilt and it's up to me, to which I say a heart felt AMEN, however...Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions. My thoughts are as follows...black or black and white diced Glen or black military style cap with St. Andrews flag. Any suggestions would be appriciated.

Thanks,
Graham

http://www.cafepress.com/ameriwear.288329666

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/bonnets.htm

**fluter** · 2nd February 10, 12:25 PM

Eighteen of twenty outings, I'm wearing a Tilley.

**Jock Scot** · 2nd February 10, 12:31 PM

Well you are quite right, the choice is yours. Just so you know, you don't have to wear headgear when wearing the kilt. In fact, most people in Scotland when wearing the kilt don't bother with a bonnet, unless they are a member of a band. The glengarry is an awful thing to wear(keep on the head) and unless you have to, or insist, I would avoid them.The balmoral is another alternative and is easier to wear, it also affords your head some protection. Until you know really what you want I would avoid the large sized floppy balmoral. Have you a clan badge to wear? If not there are some "clan style" badges to be found that go well with either the glengarry, or balmoral.

There are other minor alternatives, such as a "fore and aft" ,or deerstalker which are worn on occasion, informally with the kilt. Dare I mention flat caps? Well you can wear them with the kilt and some here delight in causing my blood pressure to rise with some good natured banter over them, but I genuinely think that they are best avoided.

**cavscout** · 2nd February 10, 12:32 PM

Since you linked to the military cap, I'll suggest htis hat I'm very happy with

Here's my review of it
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/c...697/index.html

Check out the Fergusson Brit Bonnets at the bottom of the STM web site. They are pricy (hence I don't own one) but very nice.

Browse around this site fro some various designs and good prices
http://www.berkeleyhat.com/caps.html

I personally like the style of a Glengarry but they simply are not functional for my needs.

**St. Amish** · 2nd February 10, 12:55 PM

I wear a balmoral or a flat cap. Most of the glengarries I see are on pipers.

**Tobus** · 2nd February 10, 12:56 PM

Just so you know, you don't have to wear headgear when wearing the kilt. In fact, most people in Scotland when wearing the kilt don't bother with a bonnet, unless they are a member of a band.

Interesting. I'm glad you mentioned that. I myself prefer to go without a hat when wearing my kilt, as I find most traditional Scottish headwear to look too "costumey" on me. And I can't bring myself to wear a cowboy hat or baseball cap with it.

May I ask, when modern Scots do wear hats with a kilt, what would you say is the most common?

**Jock Scot** · 2nd February 10, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Interesting. I'm glad you mentioned that. I myself prefer to go without a hat when wearing my kilt, as I find most traditional Scottish headwear to look too "costumey" on me. And I can't bring myself to wear a cowboy hat or baseball cap with it.

May I ask, when modern Scots do wear hats with a kilt, what would you say is the most common?

I hope you don't mind if I make a friendly observation? I find it odd that you are prepared to wear the kilt in unfamiliar surroundings, yet you worry how your bonnet looks!

If we ignore pipe bands and the like, I suppose the balmoral would probably be the most common bonnet worn here with the kilt. Don't run away with the idea though, that makes them a fairly common sight------they are not.

**Lyle1** · 2nd February 10, 01:18 PM

I've been thinking about a caubeen, which like better than the balmoral. http://savannahkilts.com/Headwear2.html

**davidlpope** · 2nd February 10, 01:36 PM

If you are going to wear a hat, I suggest one of the Robert Mackie balmorals in the lovat blue, lovat green, or fawn colors, with or without dicing.

Cordially,

David

**thescot** · 2nd February 10, 01:49 PM

I still like the balmoral the best even though my wife complains constantly about it. I do have some glengarrys, but I don't wear them too much. I like the look, but they are hard to keep on (they don't fig snuggly), and they look a lot like what we called Piss-cuttersin the USMC.

Here's a bonnet on me:

Yes, I do wear a white cockade on all my balmorals (4 of them), but don't take it as some kind of big political statement. I don't live in Scotland and don't get mixed up in Scotland's politics. I just like the look of the jacobite cockade.

Here's with the glen:

I also wear a military issue tam o shanter quite often when very casually dressed, even in jeans. I like the look, and it's casual enough. I don't have a photo handy of me wearing one, but here's what it looks like:

You'll get all kinds of advice, so take it all--including mine--with a grain of salt and find what you like. I like hats, always have, so I tend to wear one most of the time. But I don't care for things like cowboy hats or pith helmets with a kilt unless you're trying to be in costume. It's just not what I like.

If you ever do go somewhat dressy, I strongly recommend a good quality balmoral bonnet. It looks good, wears forever, and keeps on keeping on.