Kilts and Flat Caps

[bikercelt1]

There are some bonnets like this being sold that are apparently inspired by those seen in the Outlander TV series:

If I recall the interview with Terry Dresbach, the costume designer on Outlander, correctly these were inspired by historic headware but are not accurate historic recreations. They wanted something that made people think of historic costumes without being bound by the constraints of accurate period recreations

[cessna152towser]

Not so sure of the dreaded cream hose, but the flat cap works well with a kilt.
The Dreaded Cream Kilt Hose ! by Alexander Cunningham, on Flickr

[Nomad]

Whilst I have never worn them I personally prefer the look of flat caps to the bonnet, I associate the bonnet with that horrible hat with ginger hair stuck in it that the tartan army used to wear ( I admired the satire against stereotyping, but I wouldn't want to be thought of a stereotyped character).

I admit I am a bit weird, I am a traditionalist on some elements of highland wear but completely against others as I feel they are a bit costume like. I like the dressed down look I have seen some sporting well on this site and will even admit to liking those knee high boots that are somewhat of a fad, but I doubt I will ever wear a bonnet ever, flat cap is a maybe.

I am somewhat of a conformist, sometimes a rebel, whatever you feel comfortable in... Just do it and the world be damned.

[thescot]

I must first confess to being a hat afficionado. I would wear a hat all the time if there were some place to check one or hang it anymore.

Fedoras, cowboy hats, ball caps, flat hats, berets, and bonnets. I like hats, especially in the winter.

But with my kilt, I wear a bonnet most of the time. It's usually blue (or black, not really sure) like the traditional ones you see around, but I do have a nice bottle green (see my avatar), and two or three glengarries, a military khaki, a black one, and a green one. I rarely wear them, but I do think about it once in a while. My wife likes the glengarry the best, so . . .

I do have a Scottish military tam-o-shanter that I really like, and I wear it with a civilian badge. It's smaller and more compact, and it's a little itchy around the forehead since there's no lining. (I bought an officer's fancy tam once that was lined, but I never did love it like the military surplus I wear.) I even bought a retired Black Watch and a retired Highland Fusiliers tam just for show. I would never wear them out; I just keep them as collector's pieces.

So the bottom line is: we're all different. Wear what you want. No one is likely to abuse you for your flat hat. I like a bonnet, but-hey-who cares?

[Benning Boy]

I think the definitive answer to the age old flat cap question is given us in a television commercial playing here in the US. Off hand I don't recall who is responsible for the ad but the claim is Britain is a really great place to visit. In one scene is a Scotsman in blue everything , kilt and all. He's wearing a flat cap. It says to me flat caps are OK in Scotland, so why not anywhere eles?

[Jock Scot]

I think the definitive answer to the age old flat cap question is given us in a television commercial playing here in the US. Off hand I don't recall who is responsible for the ad but the claim is Britain is a really great place to visit. In one scene is a Scotsman in blue everything , kilt and all. He's wearing a flat cap. It says to me flat caps are OK in Scotland, so why not anywhere eles?

OH my, does the advert really show that? AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Well of course it does if you say so. In truth, the world will not stop spinning if you wear a flat cap with the kilt, even in Scotland. ------------------------------------------------BUT, if you want to create the right impression then I would advise against it. The choice is yours.

[Hirsty]

I don't see a problem with wearing a flatcap or newsboy cap with a kilt for daywear. I'd suggest wearing a tweed one though. My problem is that I have an unusually large head and struggle to find a bonnet or cap that would fit my head.

[Terry Searl]

I don't see a problem with wearing a flatcap or newsboy cap with a kilt for daywear. I'd suggest wearing a tweed one though. My problem is that I have an unusually large head and struggle to find a bonnet or cap that would fit my head.

I have been wearing this style of cap since I was 15 years old, that's getting close to 55 years now. I seldom go any place without wearing a cap and that goes for kilted or un-kilted .... With all the things that are going on in the world, I think wearing a flat cap with or with out my kilt really isn't on the minds of anyone and if it is, it's just their opinion and really of no concern to me. The Wearing of a kilt is NOT wearing a costume, I wear it as it gives me pleasure, respectfully .........just my opinion though

[The Wizard of BC]

The purpose of a hat is to protect your head from the elements. This is why I wear one when I do. I choose what hat to wear based on the weather conditions.

If it is a sunny day I wear a hat to keep the sun off my head and out of my eyes. On this occasion I also needed a hat which would not blow off while in a convertible.




If it is raining I wear a wide brimmed hat as an umbrella.



If it is cold I may wear a touque which I find is far warmer than a balmoral.

If, and only if, I am in an official capacity will I wear my balmoral.



Otherwise, to me, the balmoral is a very poor hat. It does not shade the eyes, it does not keep me warm or cool, it does not shed the rain off my neck.

I ask for comfort and practicality from my hats. A balmoral is only about the look. A really poor reason to wear a hat in my opinion.

[Benning Boy]

[QUOTE=Jock Scot;1334786]OH my, does the advert really show that? AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! [QUOTE]

Here it is.

https://www.expedia.com/OMGB

Scroll down to the commercial THE ONLY PLACE YOU NEED TO GO And click the play arrow. The blue Scotsman goes by pretty fast.