Why all the negative comments on Flat Caps?

[Zardoz]

Personally, I think that there is such a drumbeat from the "traditionalist community" as it were, that the Glengarry and the Balmoral are only the two appropriate hats for kilt wear, and one of them is mostly for pipe bands, that guys just don't know what to wear sometimes!

The hat deal has been beat to death on this forum, and I really feel the topic causes a big quandary in many minds. A lot of guys are so worried about it they would rather go bare headed, even in the sun or cold, than chance offending the local kilt police with "inappropriate" headgear.

My bottom line is, I don't really have the desire to own a Balmoral or a Glengarry, as a person of primarily Irish heritage they don't have much cultural resonance with me. But I'm bald, and I do like to keep covered outdoors. So I mostly wear a flatcap.

Wear what you want, wear it with pride, confidence, class and style and no one can question it!

[macwilkin]

Post deleted.

[GDub]

Flat caps rock! But I always wear mine backwards...

[Zardoz]

Respectfully, aren't you being a little unfair to those of us who are traditionalists?

Whilst wearing a flat cap with Highland attire really isn't my style, I'm not going to tell someone they're wrong for doing so. If they ask my opinion on the matter, then I will tell them, but in a respectful way.

But to tell you the truth, I personally find the term "kilt police" offensive.

Regards,

Todd

Well honestly, As someone who is pretty much a full time kiltie I consider myself a traditionalist for the most part, but I also think that clothing and personal styles do evolve and adapt over time. I think anyone who sees me out and about, or in the photos I put on our forum, might agree that while I do have my own take on it, I try to adhere to most conventions of "traditional" modern highland dress. But for the reasons I've stated, I do not agree that the glengarry or balmoral are the only permissible covers for everyone.

The original poster, who likes his flatcaps, seemed pretty concerned that he was making some kind of real mistake for wearing one. And if you puruse the lengthy flatcap thread we had a while ago there are some who would tell him flat out he is wrong for wearing one with his kilt.

Todd, I apologise if I've offended you or anyone with the "kilt police" remark, that term should really only be applied to the uninformed (generally pants wearing) tartan experts we have to deal with in public.

[O'Callaghan]

Personally, I think that there is such a drumbeat from the "traditionalist community" as it were, that the Glengarry and the Balmoral are only the two appropriate hats for kilt wear, and one of them is mostly for pipe bands, that guys just don't know what to wear sometimes!

The hat deal has been beat to death on this forum, and I really feel the topic causes a big quandary in many minds. A lot of guys are so worried about it they would rather go bare headed, even in the sun or cold, than chance offending the local kilt police with "inappropriate" headgear.

My bottom line is, I don't really have the desire to own a Balmoral or a Glengarry, as a person of primarily Irish heritage they don't have much cultural resonance with me. But I'm bald, and I do like to keep covered outdoors. So I mostly wear a flatcap.

Wear what you want, wear it with pride, confidence, class and style and no one can question it!

I agree. I do have a caubeen, but it feels a bit like fancy dress to me, plus they had pretty much died out as everyday wear by the time kilts were introduced to Ireland, although of course there are pipe bands that wear the two together anyway and don't care if it's an anachronism.

It's mostly those Scottish fellers that seem to care about this sort of thing.

I generally do go bare headed anyway, but that's alright for me to say when I have all my hair. Go ahead and wear your flat cap. Of course, they are really more English, but then you don't have to be a cowboy to wear jeans, so why worry.

I should post a pic of me in the bright green flat cap I got for a laugh for St. Patrick's day. Preferably with a tartan kilt and no sporran (SK with pockets!). There are some here who would get apoplectic! My green flat cap really is a very, very bright shade of green, and it's just felt, so it was never designed for serious wear, just a bit of St. Patrick's Day foolishness.

[Mr. Kilt]

I love my flat cap. Got it at the Las Vegas HG in 2007, where I got to spend time with Mr. Bill (L) and irishrob (R)

[Jock Scot]

I love flat caps too, but not when worn with the kilt.

[Bigkahuna]

I have been able to restrain myself thus far, from entering into this fray. I enter now only because I own and wear, a very nice tweed bucket hat on occasion with my kilt. I feel that paired with a nice tweed jacket/waistcoat ensemble and with cromach in hand, it is quite dashing and traditional looking.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

My bottom line is, I don't really have the desire to own a Balmoral or a Glengarry, as a person of primarily Irish heritage they don't have much cultural resonance with me. But I'm bald, and I do like to keep covered outdoors. So I mostly wear a flatcap.

I noticed when this debate was raging the first time that, almost without exception, those who thought the flat cap looked ok with the kilt were from North America, while those who thought it a no-no were from the UK.

The flat-cap, it seems, has different cultural connotations on either side of the Atlantic. Nothing wrong with that.

But I did find your above remark about Scottish caps not resonating with you because your heritage is Irish.... um... but isn't that a kilt you are wearing in the photo?

I don't understand why, as a person of Irish heritage, you would feel uncomfortable in a Scottish cap, yet perfectly comfortable wearing the Scottish kilt.

I'm not saying you must wear a Balmoral or Glengarry -- not that at all. If you don't like them you don't like them. I'm just confused by your reasoning.

[dfmacliam]

My thoughts on why I do not prefer to wear the Balmoral or the Glengarry is because it seems to be more military minded. I know in other posts, I have stated I wanted a caubeen, which is seen as a military head wear, but it's roots are with the common people.
As for the discussion about the flat cap, if one were to be dress proper Highland attire, it would be out of place, but in a casual setting, rules are bent and pretty much anything goes... It could be no worse than cowboy boots, or cowboy hat,a brimmer, flip flops, or moccasins. As long as a person is presenting themselves in a neat and orderly fashion, why not?and in the cases they are not... Then there are issues this forum cannot deal with... LOL