Pith helmet

[Panache]

Kevin,

I have thought about the same and having discussed this with a few certified kilt snobs here is the conclusion I came to.

A pith helmet, paired with a khaki "safari" shirt, and khaki hose from What Price glory (and simple military style belt and sporran*) would be a fun and comfortable outfit for a highland games. It would be a bit costume-like in the same vein as wearing a Jacobite shirt and leather lace up boots to one. In this context I think you would look good and likely be very comfortable.

But such a rig is not for everyday wear. It is far too thearical.

Cheers

Jamie

* Handle Bar mustache not required but it would complete the ensemble

[Jack Daw]

But such a rig is not for everyday wear. It is far too thearical.

Jamie

* Handle Bar mustache not required but it would complete the ensemble

Thankfully, pipers can get away with theatrical. Such freedom!*

(*Except for all the practice.)

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

I don't have a problem with it since I have seen loads of pics of Scottish Soldiers, usually on the NW frontier wearing them. Definitely Uniform, but the kilt is a fairly martial bit of clothing. Never mind that Scots usually took them off for combat (the great kilt).

Although, I would think that if it's hot enough to want a pith helmet, you would want something lighter and more comfortable than the kilt.

Sorry, I love wool, but when the mercury reaches a certain point, I have to switch to sassenach clothing.

[MacWage]

Some guys wear them at games down here.
I don't quite "get" the pith thing.

It looks a bit like a costume to me.

[Mael Coluim]

I have an open weave pith helmet that I wear all the time in the summer. It's cool and keeps the sun off my head. I've worn it with my kilt. It's very practical here in the South. Besides like you said, Kevin "it's a jungle out there!"

I recently was given a white pith helmet (French, circa Indo-China) over 40 years old and still a crisp white!

[ccga3359]

He did what in hith helmet ?

[thescot]

What Panache said.

You would look very sharp in a khaki shirt and khaki helmet. And I, too, would go for a fairly simply, military look with lovat green hose and red flashes, a plain sporran, and your regular kilt. . . at the games.

But don't wear it to town for a night out. You'll look silly.

[Coemgen]

Thanks for the commentary!

I do realise that wearing a pith helmet would look a bit costumey. However, the amount of care that I have for whether or not other people happen to like or disdain what I am wearing is precisely didley plus a wee bit of squat. Besides, I'm a theatrical kind of guy! As Gilbert and Sullivan said, "what, we ask, is life without a touch of Poetry in it?" And, as the Bard of Avon said, "All the world's a stage."

Besides, it get bloody well hot out here in the summer (I dare say, I certainly am getting into character, aren't I?), and I do want to keep cool. Hence, I typically wear my Sport Kilt in the hot months (in Southern California, roughly late April to mid November). If a pith helmet will help me stay cool, and looks good, why not get one? And if it puts a smile on someone's face, I will have done my duty.

[Coemgen]

Dude...I thought you were poor and starving? Get a box of graham crackers, a jar of peanut butter, and some Ramen noodles instead!

Well, I can get food at the canteen. However, to quote the great Tom Lehrer, it makes one "think of all the marvellous ways / they're using plastic nowadays."

I prefer to bike to the In-N-Out up the street.

[Coemgen]

He did what in hith helmet ?

Well, all the outhouses were occupied, and there were no trees or bushes anywhere in sight, so…