A serious thread about hats with kilts in the USA

**Tony** · 7th April 14, 07:28 AM

If I was in Scotland I would rarely need a hat to keep the sun off my balding pate.

But here, it's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and the sun fair beats doon on ma heid.
I wear baseball caps as there is usually one close to hand. I wear straw Panama Jacks in the height of summer, usually after I found myself needing some neck protection. I wear either with kilt or pants and don't even start to second guess myself.

I do not wear balmorals or glengarries or any other type of traditional Scottish head wear. That to me is usually the line at which the look of the kilt goes from "something to wear for the day" to "anachronistic costume".

However, I would never look down on anyone kilted be they baseball cap, flat cap, balmoral or knotted hanky wearing as some of you seem to be doing. Immature? Yikes.
To each his own.

**Just Hugh** · 8th April 14, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Tony

. . .or knotted hanky wearing as some of you seem to be doing. Immature? Yikes.
To each his own.

Who is wearing a knotted hanky? That wasn't even in consideration.

**sailortats** · 9th April 14, 05:45 AM

I think you will find some pictures on here that show Highland Athletes wearing "knotted hankies" while they are competing. It certainly helps to get the sweat from their eyes.

**TheOfficialBren** · 9th April 14, 11:44 AM

Heck, I wear a knotted hanky under my trilby to catch sweat and not soil the hatband (which is a light cream colour for some silly reason).

**ctbuchanan** · 10th April 14, 11:38 AM

The 'knotted hanky' is known as a doo-rag and originated in Africa and was brought to the USA by slaves. It became popular with "urban youth" in the 60's according to wiki. Now you see them worn by athletes and motorcycle enthusiasts in the States. There appear to be a number of practical reasons why they are worn.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do-rag

**Tobus** · 10th April 14, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by ctbuchanan

The 'knotted hanky' is known as a doo-rag and originated in Africa and was brought to the USA by slaves.

Wow. Wikipedia strikes again. That is not the origin of the do-rag. In western culture, it goes at least as far back as the 13th century, with women wearing kerchiefs on their heads. The word kerchief is derived from the French word for a head covering. The simple act of tying a cloth on one's head was used by pirates and many other westerners long before the USA and its slave trade ever existed.

**TheOfficialBren** · 10th April 14, 07:41 PM

Yeah...I wasn't talking about a Do-Rag, either. I meant a bandana.

**Tony** · 11th April 14, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by Just Hugh

Who is wearing a knotted hanky? That wasn't even in consideration.

I apologize for any digression caused.
The "as some of you seem to be doing" was referring to "looking down on" and not the head gear.
Carry on please.....

**IsaacW** · 11th April 14, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Wow. Wikipedia strikes again. That is not the origin of the do-rag. In western culture, it goes at least as far back as the 13th century, with women wearing kerchiefs on their heads. The word kerchief is derived from the French word for a head covering. The simple act of tying a cloth on one's head was used by pirates and many other westerners long before the USA and its slave trade ever existed.

Indeed, and there are plenty of European paintings that show men wearing kerchiefs on their heads (both under hats and instead of hats) in the 17th and 18th century as well.

IW