A serious thread about hats with kilts in the USA

[ctbuchanan]

Well I'll be the one to support you in wearing the baseball style cap. If it is a bright sunny day I wear one most of the time when at the highland games and at the NY Tartan Day Parade. I like the shade for my eyes and face and I personally think a wide brim hat looks odd with the kilt. We even had caps made up with the Buchanan Black Lion and I get lots of compliments on them Now, with that said, if I know it to be overcast and cool and always to formal events I wear one of my Balmorals. And when I marshal or march in a clan parade I switch to the Balmoral. But in a casual setting I see lots of men in baseball style caps with their kilts. This is a photo of some of the rabble at the N.H.H.G. on a bright sunny day.

[ChromeScholar]

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.

Bingo. I choose my hat based on what I would be wearing if I was wearing pants instead of a kilt. If I am wearing a t-shirt with my kilt, I might very well wear a ball cap. Heck, I've worn ball caps with polo shirts and jeans, or khakis, so why not with a kilt? It isn't appropriate with a Prince Charlie, but it wouldn't be appropriate with a tux, either. Or a suit jacket/Argyle jacket.

So, get completely dressed, including your kilt. Now, take off the kilt and put on trousers. Would you be comfortable wearing a ball cap with those clothes? Yes? Great! Leave the ball cap on and trade your trousers for the kilt.

If the answer is no, then find a different hat to wear.

[Chas]

When I was growing up a baseball cap looked somewhat like this -


Then they started to get domed -



And finally morphed into the upright advertising front that is so prevalent today -



I have one like the first which I wear in the summer to keep the sun out of my eyes. If I had to, I might wear the second, but would never wear the third. And none of then kilted.

[Angstrom]

Skin cancer runs in my family, so I favor hats with a brim -- a medium-brim felt fedora in cool weather, and the straw equivalent the summer. Just think of what a gentleman would have worn a few generations back....

I do sometimes wear a ball cap with a kilt when hiking, but choose one without a loud logo. These are my current favorites: http://www.woodenboatstore.com/category/cotton_caps/a

I do have a Glengarry, and like the look, but self-preservation takes priority most of the time.

[ctbuchanan]

@ Chas - love those last two. Moderation in all things, including cap styling.

[vmac3205]

Tell you what, you wear what you like, but count me off of your continent. American norms don't always sit well in Canada.

The SFU band, one of the finest in the world, and from Vancouver CANADA, wear ball caps with their kilts when not performing. If it's good enough for Jack Lee, one of top six pipers in the world and a CANADIAN, it should be good enough for any one. Don't blame the American from the States for everything. It seems they are Canadian norms as well.

[Father Bill]

Read what I said.

[Jack Daw]

If it's chilly enough, the tweed "Sherlock Holmes" may be just the thing. I wear hats for their utilitarian value, and sometimes, if it's hot enough here in Texas, I wear what I need to wear, such as a broad-brimmed straw, which some may not find appropriate.

[RLDaily]

Hat? Shucks depending on what's happening it's be a Glengarry, baseball hat or Stetson (I like my Stetson)

[Just Hugh]

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.

I see how you would read it that way. It wasn't my intention. I'm a recent convert at bucking convention by wearing the kilt, but I suppose my sensitivity to society's expectations persists. I was more posting what I would imagine others to think than what I think. Frankly, I'm not sure what I think. I may wear my deerstalker and love it!

A sincere thanks for the suggestion, TheOfficialBren.