Balmorals and Contemporary kilts

**Strings** · 28th October 09, 02:24 AM

What did strike my eye as "wrong" was a person wearing a full Renaissance costume but with a Ukilt. Now I'm not an expert on Elizabethan clothing but I'm pretty sure that Ukilts didn't exist in the 15th century.

Heh... my sense of "wrong" when it comes to fashion has been a bit burned out by working at a ren faire. Best summed up by my former employer: "Girlfriend, whoever told you those clothes go together, isn't a friend".

Bad enough that a beat-up denim Utilikilt used with a full-formal PC (including fly plaid) probably wouldn't strike me as "off"...

**Phil** · 28th October 09, 02:25 AM

As others have said, it's just a hat. I have worn mine out fishing sometimes without a kilt in sight. Very comfortable and warm it is too.

**Pleater** · 28th October 09, 03:16 AM

Now I am wondering how others have resisted the urge to put a (virtual) hand on your shoulder and guide you to (virtual) places where you can make very real purchases of headgear of all shapes and many colours, and apt for sallying forth in all different forms of attire.

Maybe they are all feeling ill - some sort of virus could have struck.

Naa - far more likely thay have all been replaced by something other than standard issue X marks forum members.

Aliens maybe.

You need to buy more hats!

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**mark ellis** · 28th October 09, 04:17 AM

having worn my 82d abn beret to the highland games in richmond last weekend, it crossed my mind that my American ancestors deserve representation when i become bekilted. All those goodly people buried from coast to coast shouted out to me.."don't forget your cowboy hat!" It may not be celtically kosher but it sure lets you know how far from the beach we've come. Cowboy up!

**ForresterModern** · 28th October 09, 04:41 AM

As stated before the Balmoral is "just a hat", but actually historically a bit more than that. I think it appropriate to wear it with just about any version of highland attire, modern or traditional, or without any highland association if you like it and the look. It is afterall just an accessory.

I am probably somewhere between Brooster and Panache in the number and variety of my headwear and am not afraid to mix and match to a certain extent, as long as the overall effect is clean and clear and classy. Heck I started wearing a Dress Gordon tam 30 years ago as winter headwear well before I had any idea my family was of scottish heritage or even considered wearing a kilt---it was not at the time fashionalby vogue but I liked the form, function, and appearence so I wore it. With a down jacket, with a dress coat, with blue jeans, a heavy plaid wool shirt and a heavyweight corduroy vest, even with a ski outfit, as long as it still looked good and performed its duty.

NO reason for concern with a little mixing and matching of accessories with a contemporary kilt, although I doubt I would go the way of a gold cantled full horsehair sporran with a UK. Just one man's O though.

**Streetcar** · 28th October 09, 12:13 PM

Like the kilt, I think it still boils down to if you're wearing it as clothing or a costume. This time of year, the balmoral is a practical hat. Would you wear it without a kilt? Then don't worry about it. The UK motto is Form Follow Function, so the hat would work just fine with it.

**xena** · 28th October 09, 01:07 PM

Streetcar noted the UK motto. I think that's ultimately the important issue. If one's wearing a kilt as an everyday garment, then one should be able to wear whatever accoutrements with it that one would normally wear.

When it's raining out, I usually wear a wide brim Fedora that most people think is some sort of cowboy hat (I guess it is, but that's another discussion...), regardless of whether it's a "highland" hat or not. None of the traditional highland hats have brims to keep the rain off my glasses.

We had a saying in the Army (and it applies to kilts, hats, or pretty much anything else!): "any idiot can be uncomfortable."

**Kilted Rogue** · 28th October 09, 05:19 PM

Well here is the outfit i was out an about in all day. Hell I got more positive comments today than i think i ever have!
OH try to not to be distracted by the most adorable little boy, he cant help it.

**piperdbh** · 28th October 09, 05:30 PM

I say, "Wear the Balmoral!"

and take the toorie off the top, and put the Balmoral in the dryer (no heat, just air) with a pair of tennis shoes so it will get properly "beat up". It'll be more comfortable to wear, and look more comfortable, too. Of course, if you're toting your son around, no one's going to notice your hat, or any of you, for that matter.

**Kilted Rogue** · 28th October 09, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

I say, "Wear the Balmoral!"

and take the toorie off the top, and put the Balmoral in the dryer (no heat, just air) with a pair of tennis shoes so it will get properly "beat up". It'll be more comfortable to wear, and look more comfortable, too. Of course, if you're toting your son around, no one's going to notice your hat, or any of you, for that matter.

Jock Scot and i had a conversation about taking the Torrie off. i am going to replace it with a dark one.
And as far as my son is concerned, i no longer get in trouble with my wife when it comes to a case of mistaken flirting. Now i just blame Liam, and she is ok with that!!