A Valentine's Day gift for me (and Jock Scot!)

**SteveB** · 14th February 09, 09:00 PM

Jamie,
Love the new topper. It looks great with both outfits. In the first outfit the "loafers" are fine. I have found that wearing slip on shoes with full kilt hose, that to keep the lower end of the hose from looking "scrunchie" that I need to pull them up a little taut, and on some pairs double roll the top so as to give the garter more grip and keep them even. The shoe colour, and the colours in the sporran pick up well with your hair and walking stick. A great visual effect sir.
Slainte

**English Bloke** · 14th February 09, 09:39 PM

Not being a staunch old tradtionalist, I think the bucket hat is more you, from a californian perspective. (No disrespect Jock)

Must be the Englishman in me but; the bucket is an individual statement whereas a deer stalker (unless you happen to be stalking deer at the time) is a bit of an affectation in California.

You look good in it Jamie 'tis true but it's not something I would or could wear. Not too many deer in the wilds of industrial Lancashire. Mind you, not too many Kilts either so who am I to talk.

Loafers? Bad choice of shoe for a grown man... It implies you can't tie your own laces. But that's my opinion of loafers with any attire, kilted or trousered.

The only non lace up shoes I have are 1 x flipflops for in the shower and 1 x Crocs for in my house. Outside? Laced every time! It's a mans thing. Any other shoe says 'Lounge Lizard'

By the way, another foible of mine, never trust a man who wears white shoes... Not that you do, it's just my thing.

**Panache** · 14th February 09, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

... Not too many deer in the wilds of industrial Lancashire. Mind you, not too many Kilts either so who am I to talk.

Well then I must be quite the outdoors man in comparison to you then.

About a 1/2 mile from my house lies the start of the foothills of Los Gatos. many a time I have come across deer when walking in the gloaming* there.

I have even seen a bobcat and a fox on my walks.

Though I missed the wild turkeys (though my lovely wife did see them).

However I think the County would frown on my actions if I tried to to "bag" any of the above.

I'll settle for watching them with my field glasses.

Cheers

Jamie

* A $2 word just for you Alan!

**English Bloke** · 14th February 09, 10:02 PM

Don't get me wrong Jamie, I'm very out doors. I just live in an area where flora and fauna take a bit of a back seat to tarmac and cars. It's not a lifestyle choice it's a geographical unfortunate combined with a hectic lifestyle. I'm not really far from it, I just don't find much time to get to it and when I do I'm not usually in a position to hunt it, shoot it or fish it...

I envy you.

Don't give up the bucket hat or the flat caps. They have 'you' written all over them; but please loose the loafers.

**starbkjrus** · 15th February 09, 08:02 AM

Jamie that is spot on! I love the hat as well as the tie and yes, even the loafers. English Bloke does have a point but even so I still gravitate to non-lace up type shoes.

Congratulations on both your valentine's gift AND your valentine.

**Coinneach** · 15th February 09, 08:11 AM

The cap is lovely! Tweed certainly has its own statement, doesn't it.

My feet won't wear loafers, but they look fine on you and seem a natural part of your outfit.

**Hamish** · 15th February 09, 10:56 AM

Jamie, much as I am definitely NOT a hat chap, I have to admit that Star's new gift does suit you well, very well. In spite of what you, and other more knowledgeable folk than I, have to say on the matter, I still find the deerstalker a touch costumey - but then I feel the same about tweedy Inverness capes, although I do have a black nylon one** to keep the rain off (when I am in Scotland).

(** Designed for pipers, I understand)

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I have some English blood in my veins (and arteries) and that I have always lived almost as far as one can get from Scotland whilst remaining on the British mainland, but I do not recall ever seeing a deerstalker being worn down here - other than on a theatrical stage! Come to think about it, I do not recall ever seeing one being worn in Scotland either - but then I am not in the habit of stalking up there ....... or anywhere really. On the day I met Jock, he was sporting a fine Balmoral but nor was he stalking at the time (I believe he was on his way to the Bank actually!).

Seriously, it suits you Jamie and you wear it well - just don't expect to see me wearing one (unless I am giving one of my performances)!

Take care,
Ham.

**Hamish** · 15th February 09, 10:59 AM

Oh, I forgot the slip-ons.

Hmmmn. I appreciate the comfort of them, but I do not think they quite work with the traditional, tartan kilt. I do have several pairs, but I wear them only with the likes of my Utilikilts and especially when driving - they're perfect driving shoes.

Take care,
Ham.

**Freelancer** · 15th February 09, 11:31 AM

I agree with all the other posts, that style looks great with a kilt. It occurs to me that the general look of it is faintly similar to that of a pith helmet. Well done!

**Jock Scot** · 15th February 09, 12:29 PM

I take note of Hamish's words and whilst it is usually the country set in Scotland that wear a deer stalker,they do not necessarily go deer stalking.In another thread a while ago now,I made the comment that most Scots and most kilted Scots prefer to go bareheaded and I have seen little,even in some dire weather recently,to dissuade them of that habit. Hamish you are in good company there. I have also said, in the past here, that the balmoral is the most traditional head wear for a gentleman wearing the kilt to wear in Scotland, but as I have already said, bareheaded wins hands down. I have also said that some kilted gentlemen in Scotland do wear either a "fore and aft" or a deer stalker and that is true. Not every body's cup of tea, I grant you, but I think that Jamie has proved to most, that the deer stalker and the kilt go well together.