Hats

[RGM1]

Planning on making an appearance at the tartan day parade in NYC to see the Murray of Arnold pipers and enjoy the day. Plan to wear my Murray of Atholl kilt and tweed jacket. I have an Irish tweed cap that does not seem to fit spirit of day and am eyeballing a glengarry. I am not a piper. Any reason such would not be appropriate? I am also considering burgundy hose.

I don't know if I will be observing parade from sidelines or joining in parade.

Thoughts?

[Jock Scot]

If the weather is kind and unreasonable weather is not an issue then bare-headed would be my choice. However, if you insist on a bonnet then a balmoral would do nicely, although a glengarry would do, but is not as versatile as a balmoral. Please, please, please do not wear a flat cap! Burgundy/claret hose will be perfect. Have fun!D

[OC Richard]

Being an American, one who used to live in a place that can have heavy rain, and now lives in a place with brutal sun, a hat would be a must.

And not just any kind of hat, but a hat with a brim that can keep sun off the face, ears, and back of neck, and keep rain from pouring down your face and the back of your jacket collar.

I would go with one of the tweed hats which are worn both in Scotland and Ireland for outdoor in-the-weather activities, such as the sorts of hats variously called Trilby, Elgin, Newmarket, Grouse, Shooting, Walking, Fishing, etc.

[Jock Scot]

Being an American, one who used to live in a place that can have heavy rain, and now lives in a place with brutal sun, a hat would be a must.

And not just any kind of hat, but a hat with a brim that can keep sun off the face, ears, and back of neck, and keep rain from pouring down your face and the back of your jacket collar.

I would go with one of the tweed hats which are worn both in Scotland and Ireland for outdoor in-the-weather activities, such as the sorts of hats variously called Trilby, Elgin, Newmarket, Grouse, Shooting, Walking, Fishing, etc.

Interestingly we rarely see the "bucket style" of hat, illustrated above, here in Scotland particularly with the kilt.The "fore and aft"(top right in the picture) is almost standard attire as a countryman's bonnet and is not unusual to be seen worn with the kilt, particularly when the weather does not oblige.

[OC Richard]

The "fore and aft"(top right in the picture) is almost standard attire as a countryman's bonnet and is not unusual to be seen worn with the kilt, particularly when the weather does not oblige.

I really like the look of those but I've yet to get one. I didn't know what they were called, thanks for that.

[Jock Scot]

I really like the look of those but I've yet to get one. I didn't know what they were called, thanks for that.

Thats great! However, be aware there is another style that looks similar, but with flaps on. Often called a "Sherlock Holmes", I and others would call it a "Deer Stalker". You need to be aware of this, as the THREE names are often ,rather confusingly, mixed up depending on who is selling them. Both styles are good and the flaps do have their practical uses in wet and windy conditions found out on the hill, river, or loch, although perhaps they look a tad theatrical. Both styles are a common sight in the more rural areas and particularly amongst those that partake in country sports.

BE WARNED!

Make certain sure that you are buying the bonnet that you think you are buying! It is very, VERY easy to end up talking at cross purposes with the vendor. Pitfalls are present to trip up the unwary. Genuine and honest mistakes are lurking, due to this shambles of labelling.

[Jock Scot]

Do you know, I am not at all sure that buying a bonnet over the internet is a good idea, with a deer stalker(using a general description), as the fit is critical. Just so you know, if we take your picture of the "fore and aft" used in this thread, the "bump" on the hat band is always worn on the left, looking forward.

[OC Richard]

Thanks Jock!

I've always wanted one of those hats, and I just now bought one, a vintage one by Dunn & Co (centre bottom).

Rare to find things big enough for my fat head, but it just popped up this morning, size 62.

I've made a new collage showing more tweed hat styles:



Note the various patterns. Top left and top right have the top made from a separate oval piece. The two hats centre top have a long rectangular central piece going over the top front to back, with semicircular side panels. Bottom centre and right have the top made like pie slices with a button where they meet at top. Bottom left is essentially a Fedora made from tweed.

BTW I looked up Dunn & Co, quite an interesting history.

Founded by a Birmingham Quaker in 1887 by 1930 they had 200 hat shops on High Streets across Britain.

In 1996 their existing 130 shops were losing millions and went into receivership.

[Jock Scot]

Well done, The bottom centre and bottom right pictures are very familiar shapes here! I hope it fits!

The history of Dunn & Co. is an interesting one and it near demise is a sign of the times, I am afraid.

Just in case those who are unfamiliar with these bonnets, the bottom right picture is not usually worn with the flaps down!They are usually worn with the flaps tied up with a bow above the head. However out on the hill, or by the waterside in wild and wet weather those flaps are worn down and tied under the chin and are a godsend!

[OC Richard]

Thanks!

Of all those styles, only the deerstalker with ear-flaps doesn't make sense for sunny places.

If you have the flaps up your ears will get sunburned and if you have the flaps down you'll cut off the breeze and get bit warm.

However a local Scot, Colin Gordon, invariably wore that type of hat, kilted, when performing at our local Highland Games. He was the founder of The Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles, said to be the first Strathspey & Reel Society outwith Scotland.