A Caubeen or a Tam

**CelticAchrann** · 25th February 13, 02:18 PM

Hello all, I suppose this is the correct place to post this question. I have a few flat cap but I get a little sick of the same old thing sometimes so I have been talking to Jbyous about either a caubeen or a tam, I'm not in a pipe band and have never been in the military so I was just curious about the appropriateness of the caubeen as everything I've been able to find about it research wise says that it was a peasants hat traditionally but it seems now to have much more to do with the military. I was hoping someone here could perhaps help set me straight. Thank you.

Regards,
Hunter

**Chas** · 25th February 13, 03:26 PM

In honesty, Hunter, I think most people would struggle to tell the difference between a Tam and a Caubeen and a beret and a Balmoral - I know I certainly do.

Regards

Chas

**Woodsheal** · 25th February 13, 03:27 PM

All of these sorts of hats (or caps) - caubeens, balmorals, tam -o'-shanters, berets - descend from a common man's flat knit cap of the Middle Ages. Yes, various militaries have adopted some of them over the centuries, but they are all basically every-day headgear worn by "everyman." Wear your caubeen without a second thought!

**MNlad** · 25th February 13, 03:47 PM

Woodsheal is exactly right. All have been adopted at one time or another by military groups. If you're worried about military association, just pick a different color, although the beret has become so common for military groups they've covered a good part of the color spectrum. As for caubeens and tams, I love 'em both and have several of each. Great, comfortable head gear.

**CelticAchrann** · 25th February 13, 08:24 PM

Thank you all, this is exactly the kind of answer I was looking for. I know almost all, if not all of these, have been used in the military at some time or another in addition to their military usage. The big difference hear was that unlike the others I couldn't find too much about the caubeen being seen much outside of military affiliations. I just didn't want to get a hat that I'm not entitled to wear!

So I took the plunge on the JByous caubeen, a rifles style one in black. Should be here in 4-6 weeks and I'll looking forward to it every day until then. Just hope I got my hat size right!

**mull** · 26th February 13, 07:57 AM

Ive got a green one with black trim and they are great hats. Very heavy duty. Mine came lined with a digital camo pattern , which is pretty cool as well.