To bonnet or not to bonnet, that is the question

[Peter Crowe]

I am with Jock Scot on this one, and voted Other. I do own a couple of Balmorals, but my usual practice and first choice would be to go bareheaded. I have also (being follicly challenged) worn brimmed hats of the Tilley style as a defence against the harmful effects of the sun.

[thescot]

On the rare occassion that I wear glengarry, it's only when extremely casual and only to please my wife who likes the glen and generally hates my bonnets. (Her sartorial tastes in men's attire and somewhat suspect.) I wear it with a khaki shirt, the weathered tartan, and lovat gree hose. Looks a little miliary, I know, but I was in the military, and I like a squared-away look.

I almost always take a bonnet and wear it while outside, especially if it's cold or rainy. I prefer the look of a gentleman in headgear, and I don't care for the look of other types of hats or caps with a kilt. Just my own personal preference. Even the accepted Panama hat (which is actually made in Ecuador!) doesn't look right to me even though the professionals approve. I reserve my Panama for the Derby and seersucker with buck shoes!

But I am a hat person and would wear one everyday if there was a place to park it in restaurants and such. When you look like me, you try to do what you can to improve things, and hats can help!

[StevieR]

Fair skin means a Tilley hat for me most of the time outside. I have been considering a bonnet though and the best I've seen so far, in my opinion (although not available at the moment) are those advertised on the Scottish Tartans Museum site. Got a couple of weeks in my homeland though, starting next Saturday, so maybe I'll find something I like?

[creagdhubh]

I voted for the first option. Whilst in Highland day attire, I always wear a Robert Mackie Balmoral bonnet with either a diced or plain band. The only time I do not wear a Balmoral is when I am wearing a casual jumper and/or collared shirt without a tie with the kilt. I always have my proper clan badge, in silver, affixed to the cockade and sometimes will tuck a sprig of white heather or boxwood (plant badges of the Clan Macpherson) behind the badge.

Cheers,

[Holcombe Thomas]

I am also follicly challenged and opt for the balmoral when the weather is cooler (it gets cold up there!) and a Tilley or panama in the warmer seasons.

Holcombe

[Sir Didymous]

I've been searching for a bonnet without a toorie. I like the look of balmorals, and would like to wear one, but me and toories don't see eye to eye.

[David Thorpe]

I've been searching for a bonnet without a toorie. I like the look of balmorals, and would like to wear one, but me and toories don't see eye to eye.

A toorie is quite easily removed. One of our terriers can do it in just a few seconds. However, a Balmoral is something else without one, and a toorie which matches the bonnet is not at all obtrusive.

[Jock Scot]

I've been searching for a bonnet without a toorie. I like the look of balmorals, and would like to wear one, but me and toories don't see eye to eye.

You wear the kilt outside Scotland in a country of a multitude of cultures, few of which understand the kilt -------and you worry about a toorie?

[creagdhubh]

You wear the kilt outside Scotland in a country of a multitude of cultures, few of which understand the kilt -------and you worry about a toorie?

Hahaha! Quite right.

[thescot]

I've been searching for a bonnet without a toorie. I like the look of balmorals, and would like to wear one, but me and toories don't see eye to eye.

Why not just buy a beret?