Quote Originally Posted by OC Richard View Post
For some reason, the "day" Balmorals in Fawn, Lovat Green, Lovat Blue etc look equally fitting and unobtrusive whether plain or diced to my eye, but on the other hand a dark blue Balmoral with its typical dicing (red/white/black or whatever) looks out of place somehow with civilian day dress. For some reason Balmorals like that look almost like a costume item or something to my eye. (I know they're not, and I wonder why I see them that way.)

Same goes for Glengarries in civilian pipe bands. Almost all civilian pipe bands wear plain black (or less often dark blue) Glens, and when a band shows up with diced Glens they really stand out (not in a good way).
I know exactly what you mean Richard, and that was basically my original point with regards to the darker coloured bonnets with dicing. I feel the same way as you, and of course, it is merely our opinion. I tend to stay away from diced bonnets in the darker colours, because of the points you made, as well as I don't wish to look like I am trying to be a member of the Royal Regiment of Scotland! I love the diced style in the lighter coloured Balmoral's and I currently own one in the fawn colour with lovat green dicing-I love it!