Kilts and Flat Caps

**ThistleDown** · 30th January 17, 07:35 PM

[QUOTE=Benning Boy;1334815][QUOTE=Jock Scot;1334786]OH my, does the advert really show that? AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Here it is.

https://www.expedia.com/OMGB

Scroll down to the commercial THE ONLY PLACE YOU NEED TO GO And click the play arrow. The blue Scotsman goes by pretty fast.

What the well-dressed Scot wears when he seeks his mother's approval: blue cloth cap, blue piece of tartan glued to his shoulder, blue waistcoat, blue jacket, blue kilt, off-white t-shirt for contrast. Mother shows her approval with smiles and kisses.

**GlennMac** · 1st February 17, 05:14 PM

Having read all contributions to this thread, I offer the observation that everyone has submitted reasonable statements that are consistent with their perspectives. I hear the words of the traditionalists expressed here (stick to the balmorals, glengarries, etc.), and I appreciate that view. On the other hand, I look at all the picture submissions, and I say to myself, "Damn, those dudes look COOL!" I especially like the fedora over the leather flight jacket. I've worn that look for a number of years--just not with kilts, as I am a newbie kilt guy. And that leads me to some wisdom I heard last summer in Dornie, Scotland.

I was visiting my clan castle (Eilean Donan) and chatting with a guide. Easily in his mid- to latter 60s, he wore a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up with a tie that clashed dramatically with his kilt. No tabs on his stockings and regular street shoes. He was an instantly likable character, and I found myself chatting with him when he went on break.

I confessed to him that I was a little nervous about getting my first kilt, as I didn't want to give offense for wearing it incorrectly. He let out a belly laugh. He reminded me of the business casual style of men wearing suit coats, button down shirts with ties over BLUE JEANS! If society can live with THAT, he laughed, how can it possibly object to someone exercising individuality with their kilt accessories. That put me at ease. He then stated that his head was getting cold, whereupon he placed a crumpled up flat cap that he'd been holding--in yet another clashing plaid design--on his head. Yes, it was a flat cap (what I used to think of as a sports car rally hat).

So, here was this casually attired man, who will never grace the cover of Gentleman's Quarterly, working as a guide at my clan's castle that goes back to the 12th or 13th century putting me at complete ease about the freedom each has to wear the kilt the same as we might don a pair of Levi's.

On the extreme end, I've seen (pictures of) younger people wearing kilts with military jump boots on one end and ball caps on the other. It tells me that the kilt is changing with the times, and I smile at the thought that kilts will remain with us for a long, long time with head gear that will range from balmorals to ball caps.

For me, I'll try not to judge and rather remind myself of the clashing Scot in Dornie who warmly conveyed acceptance.

**O'Callaghan** · 1st February 17, 10:15 PM

This goes on for ever and ever. My thoughts are that people have always worn other items that were in fashion at the time with their kilts, and they still do. At one time the flat cap fell in that category, but it was a long time ago. The traditionalist who throws up his hands at the baseball cap/kilt combo had forebears who did the same with the flat cap.

The only problem with wearing a flat cap with a kilt now is what time period are you trying to belong to? Culloden? No, they hadn't been invented. Modern day? Not really, unless you are consciously trying to be a fogey. Perhaps the 1930s (ish)? But then why? It seems to come back to deliberately wanting to be a fogey, which seems a strange motivation. Surely no-one here thinks it's traditional highland wear?

Perhaps if you're going to do it you should ride a penny farthing? Not sure if that's wise in a kilt, though.

**Farmer Jones** · 2nd February 17, 05:18 AM

[QUOTE=ThistleDown;1334816][QUOTE=Benning Boy;1334815]

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

OH my, does the advert really show that? AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

What the well-dressed Scot wears when he seeks his mother's approval: blue cloth cap, blue piece of tartan glued to his shoulder, blue waistcoat, blue jacket, blue kilt, off-white t-shirt for contrast. Mother shows her approval with smiles and kisses.

It took me a while to be able to see this video because Expedia performs "clickjacking" and my system does not allow it.

I eventually found the original on Youtube https://youtu.be/lb2QaMsbpg0

That is not a piece of tartan glued to his shoulder. His kilt is non-tartan tweed and his jacket uses the same tweed for the jacket with the exception of bias cut tartan for the chest area. It is tailored that way, not "glued to his shoulder". I recognize this as the work of a modern designer who is trying to get kilt fashions to be a part of modern man's fashion.

That lead me to exercise my curiosity and to use Google to search for "Contemporary kilt fashion". That was a bit of fun, because it revealed that there are quite a few designers out there who are having fun with kilt based fashions for men, and are promoting all sorts of styles for modern young men. By the time the wearers of those fashions (or readers of Mens Cosmo) reach my age there is a good chance that what appears modern and innovative to me, will have become "traditional" to them.

**Taskr** · 2nd February 17, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by O'Callaghan

...

The only problem with wearing a flat cap with a kilt now is what time period are you trying to belong to? Culloden? No, they hadn't been invented. Modern day? Not really, unless you are consciously trying to be a fogey. Perhaps the 1930s (ish)? But then why? It seems to come back to deliberately wanting to be a fogey, which seems a strange motivation. Surely no-one here thinks it's traditional highland wear?

...

Since my flat cap was provided as a gift from the girls two years ago, I'd imagine the cap is contemporary. Apparently, sales of the Northern England woolen cap style, made socially popular via legislated decree 1571-1597, were very strong in 2011. It goes well with most things. It gets complimented. I don't think the girls are trying to turn me into a fogey, but now to wonder if that is the end-game. I'll have to ask them when I'm wearing it whilst kilted some day.

**Bruce Scott** · 2nd February 17, 06:46 PM

Deleted Post

**seanachie** · 2nd February 17, 08:09 PM

I am fair skinned and I live in So Cal. A member of this forum, and regrettably I can not provide them attribution memory fails, recommended to me a Tilley hat for sunny days.
I frequently wear the Tilley with a broad brim. I am sure this could cause some level of objection for not being traditional enough, but to my mind it is practical and I think it looks good with the kilt. The level of scrutiny is always higher here, but I have been complimented several times on the combo.

**dcommini** · 3rd February 17, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by O'Callaghan

The only problem with wearing a flat cap with a kilt now is what time period are you trying to belong to? Culloden? No, they hadn't been invented. Modern day? Not really, unless you are consciously trying to be a fogey. Perhaps the 1930s (ish)? But then why? It seems to come back to deliberately wanting to be a fogey, which seems a strange motivation. Surely no-one here thinks it's traditional highland wear?

Perhaps if you're going to do it you should ride a penny farthing? Not sure if that's wise in a kilt, though.

I bought my first flat cap at a Lids store in a mall. It's a Kangal brand mesh one. My second and third ones were bought at Walmart. This was from only a few years ago to last year, so it seems that the flat cap is back in fashion enough in the modern age to be worn now. But it doesn't have to be from a time period, does it?

People will wear what they like, and they'll wear what they like with a kilt. Some people like Balmorals, others Glengarries, others just a bonnet, others a fedora, others a beret, and some like a flat cap. None of those options mean the person is trying to fit into a time period.

**Mike M.** · 3rd February 17, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

The purpose of a hat is to protect your head from the elements. This is why I wear one when I do. I choose what hat to wear based on the weather conditions.

If it is a sunny day I wear a hat to keep the sun off my head and out of my eyes. On this occasion I also needed a hat which would not blow off while in a convertible.

This is the reason I've got a flat cap. I haven't owned a hardtop car since 1985, and you do need something to keep the noggin warm on a cold day.

**Nomad** · 3rd February 17, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by dcommini

People will wear what they like, and they'll wear what they like with a kilt. Some people like Balmorals, others Glengarries, others just a bonnet, others a fedora, others a beret, and some like a flat cap. None of those options mean the person is trying to fit into a time period.

Well said, I'll go one step further and state that "in my humble and often mistaken opinion" fitting in to a time period is wearing a costume and if that's what you're aiming for then all well and good, otherwise wear what you want.

If the item you wear is regarded as somewhat outrageous, you will probably get away with it provided that it is in subtle colours, a pink and day glow yellow bonnet might be a step too far in some cases ( apologies to anyone who has said item😁 ).

As a Scotsman I appreciate the respect that is often given to the kilt, however a true Scotsman is known for having a thick hide and wicked sense of humour, so go ahead and have a little fun with your kilt outfit.