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

[Macman]

Another way to look at this is to consider something like a Greek sailor's cap. Some of us wouldn't like the look of it with a kilt, while others will think it looks great. It's certainly not traditional.
I've tried my flat hats with the kilt, and I'm not a fan of the look on myself.

[piperdbh]

I don't like flat caps. Or lima beans.

[csbdr]

Well, I've read through all these posts to catch up, and wanted to put my 2 cents worth in. I'm puzzled by the level of feeling a bit, and taken aback by the dictatory tone of the title. I understand flat caps are viewed as a no-no in Scotland, but I don't live in Scotland. I live in Upstate New York. I also understand the need to know the "rules" and conventions of Highland dress and then make a suitable choice. Being from the states, I can tell you with some certainty that a fore-and-aft, Bugatti, or deerstalker is seen even less often than a man in a kilt, and would look ridiculously out of place, or downright odd, despite the opinions of our Scottish bretheren as to what is appropriate headgear. Others may disagree, and everyone has to form their own opinion and make their own choices.

So much is left to personal choice. Myself, i wear a color coordinated tweed flat cap (no tartan) frequently with a kilt. People who see me will NOT look askance when I do this, as flat caps are frequently seen and accepted men's headgear in the States, with all types of dress. The fact that they are not in Scotland does not affect me here. It WOULD if I travelled to Scotland. I would likely observe convention and leave the caps at home. Might even pick up a nice hat there! I thnk similarly of ToS, balmorals and the like. I don't frankly want to be wandering about looking like a kilted anachronism, despite how smashing many of you look in them. I have tried a ToS in 2 different styles and they both look ridiculous on me. If I was going to a Burn's Supper, though, I would likely find some appropriate headgear and swallow hard, even if I thought it looked foolish on me. A nod to convention, and respectful of tradition and the supper's host as well.

So, I wear my tweed flat caps in the winter here, when I go out kilted and casual. They are warm, fit in with the prevailng style of fashion here (even if the kilt does not...) and taken in context look great!

(Flat caps...the argument that will never die. It's like a zombie....what about zombies in flat caps?)

[macwilkin]

Well, I've read through all these posts to catch up, and wanted to put my 2 cents worth in. I'm puzzled by the level of feeling a bit, and taken aback by the dictatory tone of the title. I understand flat caps are viewed as a no-no in Scotland, but I don't live in Scotland. I live in Upstate New York. I also understand the need to know the "rules" and conventions of Highland dress and then make a suitable choice. Being from the states, I can tell you with some certainty that a fore-and-aft, Bugatti, or deerstalker is seen even less often than a man in a kilt, and would look ridiculously out of place, despite the opinions of our Scottish bretheren as to what is appropriate headgear. Others may disagree, and everyone has to form their own opinion and make their own choices.

So much is left to personal choice. Myself, i wear a color coordinated tweed flat cap frequently with a kilt. People who see me will NOT look askance when I do this, as flat caps are frequently seen and accepted men's headgear in the States, with all types of dress. The fact that they are not in Scotland does not affect me here. It WOULD if I travelled to Scotland. I would likely observe convention and leave the caps at home. Might even pick up a nice hat there! I thnk similarly of ToS, balmorals and the like. I don't frankly want to be wandering about looking like a kilted anachronism, despite how smashing many of you look in them. I have tried a ToS in 2 different styles and they both look ridiculous on me. If I was going to a Burn's Supper, though, I would likely find some appropriate headgear and swallow hard, even if I thought it looked foolish on me. A nod to convention, and respectful of tradition and the supper's host as well.

So, I wear my tweed flat caps in the winter here, when I go out kilted and casual. They are warm, fit in with the prevailng style of fashion here (even if the kilt does not...) and taken in context look great!

(Flat caps...the argument that will never die. It's like a zombie....what about zombies in flat caps?)

Of course, one would never wear a cap/hat at a Burns Supper, unless one was the piper.

I'm not sure I care for your description of someone wearing the balmoral as a "kilted anachronism" -- or on second thought, perhaps I do, as I would much rather be an "kilted anachronism" then a "fashionista" any day.

Regardless of where you live, if you choose to wear a kilt, which is part of Highland dress, then you should at least be respectful of its conventions -- being an American is not an excuse for being disrespectful*, regardless of how many of our countrymen do it overseas or at home.

Regards,

Todd

*my point being that somehow being an American allows you to do anything you want "just because" you are an American.

[Kerr the Walker]

Regardless of where you live, if you choose to wear a kilt, which is part of Highland dress, then you should at least be respectful of its conventions

Does this mean that wearing a flat-cap with a kilt is disrespectful of the conventions? By that logic, if one is wearing cowboy boots, the only acceptable/respectful headgear would be a cowboy hat. (He says in the spirit of friendly dialogue)

being an American is not an excuse for being disrespectful, regardless of how many of our countrymen do it overseas or at home.

Agree 100%!

[Alan H]

I think that it's time that I take a break from XMarks and spend time elsewhere during my online recreation..

[macwilkin]

Does this mean that wearing a flat-cap with a kilt is disrespectful of the conventions? By that logic, if one is wearing cowboy boots, the only acceptable/respectful headgear would be a cowboy hat. (He says in the spirit of friendly dialogue)

Not necessarily; what is the old saying that's oft-repeated around here? In order to break/bend the rules you need to know them first? One can respect something without personally participating in it.

Personally, it makes no difference to me if someone wears a flat cap with their kilt or not. It's not for me personally, but horses for courses.

T.

[ForresterModern]

Of course, one would never wear a cap/hat at a Burns Supper, unless one was the piper.

I'm not sure I care for your description of someone wearing the balmoral as a "kilted anachronism" -- or on second thought, perhaps I do, as I would much rather be an "kilted anachronism" then a "fashionista" any day.

Regardless of where you live, if you choose to wear a kilt, which is part of Highland dress, then you should at least be respectful of its conventions -- being an American is not an excuse for being disrespectful, regardless of how many of our countrymen do it overseas or at home.

Regards,

Todd

Cheese it, the kilt kops are here.

Now wearing a flat cap with a kilt in your own country is somehow disrespectfull? It not like I am pissing on the Stone of Scone or anything. Afterall, it is just a hat. And a kilt is just a kilt.

Levi's were built for American farmers, cowboys, and general outdoors working men a century and a half ago. Folks wear Levi's everyday with whatever shirts, hats, jewelry, sunglasses,coats and shoes they like. I can't imagine ever feeling that it was disrespectful to this historic American icon ( a cherished part of our heritage we Yanks all hold so close to our hearts that we wear them or their like nearly every day) for wearing whatever a person wanted to wear with them.

I love the way these threads get heated up sometimes.

[macwilkin]

Cheese it, the kilt kops are here.

Now wearing a flat cap with a kilt in your own country is somehow disrespectfull? It not like I am pissing on the Stone of Scone or anything. Afterall, it is just a hat. And a kilt is just a kilt.

Levi's were built for American farmers, cowboys, and general outdoors working men a century and a half ago. Folks wear Levi's everyday with whatever shirts, hats, jewelry, sunglasses,coats and shoes they like. I can't imagine ever feeling that it was disrespectful to this historic American icon ( a cherished part of our heritage we Yanks all hold so close to our hearts that we wear them or their like nearly every day) for wearing whatever a person wanted to wear with them.

I love the way these threads get heated up sometimes.

Please go back and re-read my post, or for that matter, the one I just posted a few minutes ago. Nowhere did I say wearing flat caps is "disrespectful"; my comments were directed more that those who somehow think being American is a "get-out-of-goal-free" card" for anything.

Again, I care not a fig if someone wears one or not. I just get tired of the whole "I'm an American, I can do what I want to" line. Apologies if I offended you.

And for the record, I have a baseball cap I wear with my kilt in very casual settings -- the cap in question comes from the Iowa Scottish Pipe band.

T.

[puffer]

Let me start by saying I own neither a beret nor a balmoral. That said, I have examined both a US Army spec black beret, and looked at balmorals being offered for sale by vendors at highland games. Other than the trim, they did not strike me as being very different. They were both soft felt with a crown larger than the band. Now I have never seen them side by side. Is there some difference in blocked shape or crown size? It seems to me a beret with a swatch of tartan and a cap badge would look very similar to a balmoral with the same.

See below picture for examples. (TOP feft to Right, then bottom left to right)

IMHO a "Militery Baret", is not the same as an actual Balmoral.

1 A military beret is smaller = 9 1/2" diam. & is in it's current isue "blocked" for the "flash" The one I am wearing is my 1960 SF ( and is unblocked)

2. A "standard " Balmoral = 10 1/2" diam.

3. A current Brit. issue Tam O Shanter (TOS) = 11" diam.

4. A WWII & prior Brit issue TOS = 12" diam.

5. A "period" TOS = 14" diam

Hope this helps
PUFFER