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

**SteveB** · 31st January 09, 04:41 AM

Derek,
Thanks for reminding me. The Ball cap, I wear with my U.S. Air Force tartan kilt, is either a generic U.S.A.F., or my combat squadron's hat from when I served.
When people ask me about the tartan, I can point to the baseball cap for their answer.

Geoff. - There are others who wear yarmulkes to and in synagague. My church participates with our neighbouring synagague in many ecumenical activities. All of us wear yarmulkes to and in our neighbours house.

**Jack Daw** · 31st January 09, 12:14 PM

I have 5 touring (flat) caps - three in different herringbone colors, a fourth in a dark-gray flannel wool, and a fifth in oiled cotton for rain. I don't wear them with my kilt.

**Leprechaun 91** · 31st January 09, 03:07 PM

That oiled cotton flat cap would likely be just fine with an inverness cape in the rain.

I do think there are some who can make the look work.

I think the nail was struck soundly when it was mentioned that the intended look is what matters.

The guidelines once known can be bent to one's ill. One must understand, expect, and accept when others view these variances from the norm as ugly, odd, or "tacky."

**Thunderbolt** · 31st January 09, 04:18 PM

WOW...

I just muddled through all 13 pages of this...

I really can't understand some of it. But, I'm not into fine details when it comes to something as trivial as a hat.

I do NOT like flat caps. They, to my eye, look queer and dosen't fit in with overal style of the kilt. Some may pull it off, or at least be big enough to not care.

That said, I do not like flat caps...period. I wouldn't wear one with my work clothing or otherwise.

I have to agree with the OP and others. No flat caps. But I'm not going to stop anyone. But I will laugh at those who do wear them with a kilt.....

**The Barry** · 1st February 09, 02:34 PM

I said this in the original thread, and I'll say it again. I own some flat caps, and love them. I will wear them with a kilt. I do, however, agree with one point made by the "against" crowd: tartan flat caps with tartan kilts is just weird. That just doesn't work.

I am curious though, I have a tartan cap on its way to my doorstep. I plan on trying it out with my black shadow SWK. I think that I'll wear them together and go find some of these "against" people and get my pic taken with them as proof of their subconscious endorsement of wearing flat caps with the kilt.

**Good Egg** · 2nd February 09, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by The Barry

I said this in the original thread, and I'll say it again. I own some flat caps, and love them. I will wear them with a kilt. I do, however, agree with one point made by the "against" crowd: tartan flat caps with tartan kilts is just weird. That just doesn't work.

I am curious though, I have a tartan cap on its way to my doorstep. I plan on trying it out with my black shadow SWK. I think that I'll wear them together and go find some of these "against" people and get my pic taken with them as proof of their subconscious endorsement of wearing flat caps with the kilt.

A 'tartan' Glengary, ToS, bonnet or flatcap is a matter of taste. They would not be to my taste except perhaps a tartan flatcap for playing golf - maybe???

A flatcap, whatever the material and whatever the kilt is always going to look as if you have made a mistake.

The fashion argument does not really hold water. The reason that the American Scottish side think its OK is because they are used to seeing it, but you can hardly argue that the flat cap is a piece of new contemporary wear and that the Scots need to get with the times. In fact its an old fashion piece of headgear - which in some eyes seems to match the old fashioness of the kilt and therefore seems to be a perfect accessory. Unfortunately it isn't!

I've enjoyed this robust debate - I hope nobody has been mortally offended - especially those that I've been a tad rude to/about.

**Livingston** · 2nd February 09, 07:43 AM

While I have been staying out of this conversation, I have yet to see what WOULD be acceptable to wear for those of us that need to have something to either shade our heads or warm them depending on the weather. If one of our brothers across the pond could let us know, I, for one, would appreceiate it. At altitude here in Colorado we need to wear a hat to either prevent severe brain freeze in the winter or skin cancer all year long.

I understand that there are certain occasions where a hat is not to be worn so all I'm looking for would be outdoor occasions.

**Jock Scot** · 2nd February 09, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Livingston

While I have been staying out of this conversation, I have yet to see what WOULD be acceptable to wear for those of us that need to have something to either shade our heads or warm them depending on the weather. If one of our brothers across the pond could let us know, I, for one, would appreceiate it. At altitude here in Colorado we need to wear a hat to either prevent severe brain freeze in the winter or skin cancer all year long.

I understand that there are certain occasions where a hat is not to be worn so all I'm looking for would be outdoor occasions.

A fair question. I think that I have gone on record to say that in extremes of temperature, when frankly fashion,culture,heritage or,whatever should and must take second place. For extreme heat the Panama, Australian "slouch" hat, or, a topee would do nicely and for extreme cold well, how about one of those Russian army type things that sit on top of your head when things aren't too bad and can be folded down over you ears and around your neck thing, when things start getting chilly?

**Good Egg** · 2nd February 09, 08:37 AM

I agree with Jock - although I would add why not a cowboy hat or smokey bear especially for an American-Scot to keep the sun at bay, and a Canadian fur hat in the winter.

As for an alternative to the flatcap - a TOS or other bonnet.

**csbdr** · 2nd February 09, 10:25 AM

I guess I just don't understand. What is it that makes a Russian fur hat, canadian fur hat, cowboy hat, smokie bear/ranger hat OK with a kilt, yet a tweed flat cap not? In my eyes, ALL those options are much more discordant. The only folks you'll see wearing a smokie bear type hat (if it's what I'm thinking of...)

http://www.cowboyhatstore.com/campaign/campaign2.htm

are park rangers, state troopers and drill sargeants. and this....

http://www.tundragear.com/602/black-tundra-hat

Girl not withstanding, a Ushanka would look perfectly silly with a kilt. My tweed flat caps are at least irish in origin/manufactur and to my eyes look alot more appropriate than many of the other suggestions given. I'm really missing why they are viewed as such a fshion "don't" by some.