Kilts and Flat Caps

[tweedhead]

When I started wearing the kilt three years ago I didn't have any accessories except the flashes that came with the kilt, a sporran, and white hose. I made do with my existing wardrobe and wore tweed suit jackets and sportcoats as well as my flat cap. Over time I was able to build a collection of attire intended for use with the kilt (jackets, waistcoats, etc) and as part of that process got a Robert Mackie balmoral and a very large blue bonnet.

The bonnet being a more historical piece I've found to be a bit too costumey, but the balmoral (bottle green with a diced white and green band) I've grown quite attached to. Nowadays I'm as apt to grab it when wearing a tweed suit as I am to wear with my kilt, and I never wear the flat cap when kilted anymore. Even those times when it's cold and windy enough that something that covers the ears would be warranted, I simply wrap a scarf overtop the balmoral and tie under my chin. No guesses as to how ridiculous I look (I'm guessing like a cartoon with a toothache) but if it's that cold everyone else is already heavily bundled.

Ultimately I could never look down my nose another kiltie for wearing a flat cap and think it's fine as a functional piece of clothing (mine is seven years old, very well loved and going strong) but I can't bring myself to wear that combination anymore. I don't feel like I'm trapped by tradition, but tradition feels so right.

e; Of course, even tradition itself is an amalgamation of social norms and expectations built up over time and fluid in both interpretation and expression, and for a garment such as the kilt which was everyday functional clothing for an entire culture (and for some, continues to be), there were, are, and will be infinite variations and differences in use and wear.