A serious thread about hats with kilts in the USA

[McElmurry]

A hat is a very personal item. Here are a few ideas.

https://www.google.com/search?q=hat+...w=1366&bih=651

[mookien]

You have certainly framed the question properly. Personally, ...

I prefer a Scottish bonnet (tam or balmoral) unless it is cold enough that I need to warm my ears. Then, I'll wear a ski cap ("knit cap"). But, I think flat caps look great with kilts even though I realize others disagree. Finally, I wouldn't have any problem with someone wearing a baseball cap with a kilt, especially if it had something like "Long live William Wallace and Scottish independence!" embroidered and emblazoned above the bill.

Good luck with your decision, and have a great time in NYC.

[mookien]

A hat is a very personal item. Here are a few ideas.

https://www.google.com/search?q=hat+...w=1366&bih=651

Great post! There are a lot of XMARKers included, mostly the usual subjects. My favorite is LAscotswoman.

[Micah]

Neh, why not a Stetson? LOL

[TheOfficialBren]

That first post was a response to our fine Canadian poster, Father Bill. I DO have a deer stalker, that I have only worn once on Halloween when I dressed as Sherlock Holmes. I may need to convince my entire family and country (not continent) that it has other uses.

I also have a Russian black fur hat that has the fold down ear covers, but I don't imagine that would work with a kilt, but maybe I'm being too traditional? (kidding.)

I may be misinterpreting your post but it sounded a bit cheeky, my friend. If I am then I sincerely apologise for any misunderstanding. I honestly did think that you were belittling my own choice of head wear, though.

[KenB]

After spending several trips to a dermatologist getting the tops of my ears sprayed with nitrogen, as well as a few spots on my bald head, I always take care to coverup and wear a wide brim hat. But that's me. Basically, wear what you like. But please, if you opt for a ball cap, wear it with the bill forward rather than abaft.

[adempsey10]

I wear a flat cap with a kilt. That's my preference if I'm wearing a hat with my kilt. A baseball cap would be fine too.

My philosophy is not what should or shouldn't be worn with a kilt, since traditional is not my thing nor do I like being bound by silly made up fashion rules that often surround the kilt. Instead I dress for the situation. If I'm wearing my kilt in place of a pair of jeans, I wouldn't hesitate to wear a baseball cap because I would wear a baseball cap with jeans. If I were to wear my kilt in place of dress pants, I wouldn't wear a baseball cap because I wouldn't wear a baseball cap with dress pants. See where I'm going with this?

[Jock Scot]

Not a criticism in any way, but I do wonder that as the kilt is a rarity(according to various threads on the subject posted on this website) in the USA and therefore stands out, so, why worry about a deer stalker, or, fore and aft standing out? They are quite traditional and very useful and are perfectly acceptable when worn informally with the kilt in Scotland. Other options to consider, particularly if protection from the sun is the issue, are the Tilly hat and better still, a panama.

[unixken]

I wear an Irish barleycorn tweed flat cap quite often, when kilted. It always gets compliments, and it just "works" for me. And it works with or without a sweater.

[Nathan]

If it's cold enough for your toque to be worn comfortably, that would be alright with a sweater I suppose but not ideal. That said, my best advice for you, and I hope I'm not out of line in saying this, is to own your baldness.

You're going to be indoors at some point I'd assume, so etiquette demands that you remove your hat. You're in your 40s so balding ought not be the traumatic thing it may have been in your 20s. You might consider getting a short haircut and walk around confidently like it doesn't bother you. You'll notice plenty of men your age with similar follicles. Confidence is more sexy than hair. Be comfortable with yourself. Then the example you'll set for your son won't just be to be proud of his heritage, it will teach him to accept himself and love himself, imperfections and all.

As for the ball cap with kilt thing, I don't like the look. I've worn it at an extremely hot and extremely casual highland games once and I still dread the photos.

if you must wear a cap at all times...
Bonnets are ideal, wide brim Aussie style tilly hats aren't bad, fore and aft are traditional but not for me, flat caps are so so, baseball caps are a bad look except under the most casual and out door situations and even then...

Just my thoughts.

Best of luck,