Balmoral with saxon clothes

[Tobus]

Only two people wear a balmoral with "street clothes"? Wow.

I did, once. I got a lot of derisive "why are you wearing a beret?" comments. People here don't know what a Balmoral is, and without the kilt for context, they see it as an odd or flamboyant choice of headwear. They're very confused, and don't know whether it's a Frenchie thing or some sort of military thing, but the gawking is annoying. The general public is very opinionated about hat choices, apparently.

In cooler weather when I'm not wearing a kilt, I just opt for a tweed flat cap instead. It's more recognisable to the average Joe, and since it's not something I would wear with the kilt anyway, it seems like the thing to do whilst wearing trousers.

Your mileage may vary, of course, but outside of Scotland where a Balmoral isn't a usual choice of headwear, it may explain why folks wouldn't usually opt to wear it with regular trouser-based outfits.

[Father Bill]

I did, once. I got a lot of derisive "why are you wearing a beret?" comments. People here don't know what a Balmoral is, and without the kilt for context, they see it as an odd or flamboyant choice of headwear. They're very confused, and don't know whether it's a Frenchie thing or some sort of military thing, but the gawking is annoying. The general public is very opinionated about hat choices, apparently.

In cooler weather when I'm not wearing a kilt, I just opt for a tweed flat cap instead. It's more recognisable to the average Joe, and since it's not something I would wear with the kilt anyway, it seems like the thing to do whilst wearing trousers.

Your mileage may vary, of course, but outside of Scotland where a Balmoral isn't a usual choice of headwear, it may explain why folks wouldn't usually opt to wear it with regular trouser-based outfits.

I generally agree with you, Tobus except where you say "...outside of Scotland." I've worn a balmoral once or twice with Saxon clothing and the only response I've gotten is "What clan are you?" or "It's so nice to see a Balmoral," or "I should wear mine more often."

My general experience is that Canadians in my part of the nation have sufficient Scottish presence, heritage, and pride that it's considered neither unusual nor odd.

[Tobus]

I generally agree with you, Tobus except where you say "...outside of Scotland." I've worn a balmoral once or twice with Saxon clothing and the only response I've gotten is "What clan are you?" or "It's so nice to see a Balmoral," or "I should wear mine more often."

My general experience is that Canadians in my part of the nation have sufficient Scottish presence, heritage, and pride that it's considered neither unusual nor odd.

Yes, your mileage obviously varies! In areas where there's more of an established immigrant Scot culture, it may be more normal to see a Balmoral. Everyone has to get a sense of the culture around them and decide for themselves.

[Arnot]

I did, once. I got a lot of derisive "why are you wearing a beret?" comments. People here don't know what a Balmoral is, and without the kilt for context, they see it as an odd or flamboyant choice of headwear. They're very confused, and don't know whether it's a Frenchie thing or some sort of military thing, but the gawking is annoying. The general public is very opinionated about hat choices, apparently.

In cooler weather when I'm not wearing a kilt, I just opt for a tweed flat cap instead. It's more recognisable to the average Joe, and since it's not something I would wear with the kilt anyway, it seems like the thing to do whilst wearing trousers.

Your mileage may vary, of course, but outside of Scotland where a Balmoral isn't a usual choice of headwear, it may explain why folks wouldn't usually opt to wear it with regular trouser-based outfits.

I never really gave much thought to where I was or what the opinion of the general public might be. I just put on my bonnet and went about my business.

I got my first Balmoral while living in Upstate New York and wore it around that area as well as across the border in Ontario. I also wore it later while in Alaska. I saw others wearing them occasionally in those places as well.

[Jacques]

I did, once. I got a lot of derisive "why are you wearing a beret?" comments. People here don't know what a Balmoral is, and without the kilt for context, they see it as an odd or flamboyant choice of headwear. They're very confused, and don't know whether it's a Frenchie thing or some sort of military thing, but the gawking is annoying. The general public is very opinionated about hat choices, apparently.

In cooler weather when I'm not wearing a kilt, I just opt for a tweed flat cap instead. It's more recognisable to the average Joe, and since it's not something I would wear with the kilt anyway, it seems like the thing to do whilst wearing trousers.

Your mileage may vary, of course, but outside of Scotland where a Balmoral isn't a usual choice of headwear, it may explain why folks wouldn't usually opt to wear it with regular trouser-based outfits.

i must admit your reply was one of the questions on my mind when i started this post. "What kind of feedback i might expect from the public at large." But i was also thinking of wearing the balmoral as a start to wearing the kilt. Start small and use the balmoral as a pre-introduction to the kilt.