Too Traditional?

[Tobus]

Speaking as one of those red haired/blue eyed mutants, covering the head and shading the face, ears and neck is just good sense. Ask your local dermatologist if you don't believe me. I would hope that our fellow members in more Northern latitudes will cut us a little slack when it comes to headgear because the brimmed hat is sometimes mecessary.

Best

AA

Yup. I had a scare recently with a growth on my shoulder (where I've had decades of sunburns) that I had the dermatologist remove. In the process, I learned that those of us with blue eyes are at the highest risk of skin cancer. So I'm starting to take it seriously.

How about a slouch hat? These are typically associated with kilted military units in hot, sunny climates. I seem to recall that they were worn in WWII by a Highland regiment in Burma. Would a slouch hat be completely 'costumey' or odd for a civilian to wear with a kilt in a hot climate, while still trying to be as traditional as the weather allows?

[Zardoz]

What kind of hat would you wear if you didn't know kilts existed? Wear that.

[auld argonian]

What kind of hat would you wear if you didn't know kilts existed? Wear that.

The Zen of Zardoz.....

Best

AA

[ThistleDown]

Yup. I had a scare recently with a growth on my shoulder (where I've had decades of sunburns) that I had the dermatologist remove. In the process, I learned that those of us with blue eyes are at the highest risk of skin cancer. So I'm starting to take it seriously.

How about a slouch hat? These are typically associated with kilted military units in hot, sunny climates. I seem to recall that they were worn in WWII by a Highland regiment in Burma. Would a slouch hat be completely 'costumey' or odd for a civilian to wear with a kilt in a hot climate, while still trying to be as traditional as the weather allows?

Blue eyes. Strange that these have evolved in the northern climes where brightness can be a problem, isn't it? In the summer months I need shades at 58d in the north of Scotland and at 38d, but not at 48d. The slouch hat doesn't feel acceptable with Highland dress although it certainly was with military jungle wear, as you say. What's that floppy all-round fishing hat called? That feels right as, of course, do various forms of the Panama.

[ThistleDown]

What kind of hat would you wear if you didn't know kilts existed? Wear that.

Yep, that's not traditional.

[ThistleDown]

At the core of a living tradition is something old and yet current, which is a bit of a paradox. The boundaries and peripheries may be contested as to what is already historical, old fashioned, being revived, fading away, newfangled, gradually gaining favour, personal, idiosyncratic, flair, etc. Maybe we won't ever be able to get it right every time, but at least we might be able to look good, respect the tradition, and avoid getting it entirely wrong

That is exceptionally well said.

[Zardoz]

Yep, that's not traditional.

No, but it's practical. Does every element of dress, in every situation, have to fit into this narrow definition of what some consider traditional? Depending on when and where, aren't there plenty of different covers that are more practical than the balmoral and glengarry? What's next, sunglasses or rings?

[Jock Scot]

No, but it's practical. Does every element of dress, in every situation, have to fit into this narrow definition of what some consider traditional? Depending on when and where, aren't there plenty of different covers that are more practical than the balmoral and glengarry? What's next, sunglasses or rings?

I can think of few exceptions where tradition, fashion even, holds sway over common sense. I suppose on occasion, Trooping the Colour would probably qualify, but I can think of few others. :)

[CMcG]

No, but it's practical. Does every element of dress, in every situation, have to fit into this narrow definition of what some consider traditional? Depending on when and where, aren't there plenty of different covers that are more practical than the balmoral and glengarry? What's next, sunglasses or rings?

I don't think every element of dress, in every situation needs to fit the definition of traditional... unless one is trying to dress traditionally Some of our most ardent traditionalists, however, have advised us that common sense is also traditional.

Seeing as the sun tends not blaze in Scotland quite the same way as in Texas, there is no THCD "blazing sun hat." Finding a practical head covering for that situation that ALSO suits the kilt is the challenge. Something light, with a broad brim, but that doesn't have too much other cultural symbolism... if one would wear normally wear a Stetson, for example, I don't think it is necessarily the best choice to wear with the kilt

[MacLowlife]

What's that floppy all-round fishing hat called? That feels right as, of course, do various forms of the Panama.

Pork Pie? Pudding Basin? Tilley(R)? Stockman? Bucket? Trilby?

I once worked at a place that sold a lot of white brim-all-around hats that somebody called an "FDR". They had a green underside and were popular with sailors. It was possible to fold the back of the brim up or down. They resembled the Lester Lanin hats of old. I am not sure either the LL or the white ones would work well with w kilt, at least not before several drinks...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LESTER-LANIN...item35b911f1d0