Flat Caps. No no and thrice no! Suitable hats when wearing your kilt. Discuss

[macwilkin]

Well, I've read through all these posts to catch up, and wanted to put my 2 cents worth in. I'm puzzled by the level of feeling a bit, and taken aback by the dictatory tone of the title. I understand flat caps are viewed as a no-no in Scotland, but I don't live in Scotland. I live in Upstate New York. I also understand the need to know the "rules" and conventions of Highland dress and then make a suitable choice. Being from the states, I can tell you with some certainty that a fore-and-aft, Bugatti, or deerstalker is seen even less often than a man in a kilt, and would look ridiculously out of place, despite the opinions of our Scottish bretheren as to what is appropriate headgear. Others may disagree, and everyone has to form their own opinion and make their own choices.

So much is left to personal choice. Myself, i wear a color coordinated tweed flat cap frequently with a kilt. People who see me will NOT look askance when I do this, as flat caps are frequently seen and accepted men's headgear in the States, with all types of dress. The fact that they are not in Scotland does not affect me here. It WOULD if I travelled to Scotland. I would likely observe convention and leave the caps at home. Might even pick up a nice hat there! I thnk similarly of ToS, balmorals and the like. I don't frankly want to be wandering about looking like a kilted anachronism, despite how smashing many of you look in them. I have tried a ToS in 2 different styles and they both look ridiculous on me. If I was going to a Burn's Supper, though, I would likely find some appropriate headgear and swallow hard, even if I thought it looked foolish on me. A nod to convention, and respectful of tradition and the supper's host as well.

So, I wear my tweed flat caps in the winter here, when I go out kilted and casual. They are warm, fit in with the prevailng style of fashion here (even if the kilt does not...) and taken in context look great!

(Flat caps...the argument that will never die. It's like a zombie....what about zombies in flat caps?)

Of course, one would never wear a cap/hat at a Burns Supper, unless one was the piper.

I'm not sure I care for your description of someone wearing the balmoral as a "kilted anachronism" -- or on second thought, perhaps I do, as I would much rather be an "kilted anachronism" then a "fashionista" any day.

Regardless of where you live, if you choose to wear a kilt, which is part of Highland dress, then you should at least be respectful of its conventions -- being an American is not an excuse for being disrespectful*, regardless of how many of our countrymen do it overseas or at home.

Regards,

Todd

*my point being that somehow being an American allows you to do anything you want "just because" you are an American.